Before and Afters
Houzz Tours
Architecture
Houzz Tour: An 1898 Church in Wisconsin Finds Resurrection
Neglected and in disrepair, an old church gets a glorious renovation by an architect with a love of historic details
Despite its dilapidated facade, architect Kurt Melander instantly spotted this Wisconsin church's architectural value. Set in the middle of a large field in the stunning northern Wisconsin landscape, this 1898 church was once a beautiful part of the local Scandinavian and Lutheran community. But after years of neglect (it was decommissioned in the early 1980s), it had fallen into total disrepair. Melander bought it for a steal at $25,000.
From the get-go Melander decided to preserve as much of the original craftsmanship as possible, while turning it into a home. Replicating the details he could and paying tribute to the original structure in his new design, he transformed this old church into a livable space that honors its history. "It felt good," he says. "It felt like I was doing something important for the community."
Houzz at a Glance
Designed for: Kurt Melander
Location: Northern Wisconsin
Size: Slightly less than 2,000 square feet
Cost: $260,000
From the get-go Melander decided to preserve as much of the original craftsmanship as possible, while turning it into a home. Replicating the details he could and paying tribute to the original structure in his new design, he transformed this old church into a livable space that honors its history. "It felt good," he says. "It felt like I was doing something important for the community."
Houzz at a Glance
Designed for: Kurt Melander
Location: Northern Wisconsin
Size: Slightly less than 2,000 square feet
Cost: $260,000
BEFORE: Despite its stunning original architecture, the structure was in bad shape. The roof had to be replaced almost immediately, costing Melander about $15,000. Although the original roofing was made with cedar shake, the current fire code prohibited this, so Melander chose classic green asphalt shingles.
Unfortunately, much of the clapboard siding had rotted away too. Melander took off several intact pieces and had new ones custom milled to match the originals for a total of $12,000. Structural repair for the bell tower came to about $8,000.
Unfortunately, much of the clapboard siding had rotted away too. Melander took off several intact pieces and had new ones custom milled to match the originals for a total of $12,000. Structural repair for the bell tower came to about $8,000.
Melander wanted to maintain the clapboard church's quintessential feel. "It felt really important to not touch that in any way," he says. All of the original windows were replaced with carefully replicated double-paned duplicates, coming to about $23,000 total. Only a few new windows — done in early-20th-century proportions — were added to the back side for the new bedroom and bathroom.
The original front doors open into an understated entry full of light. Although wallpaper once hung in certain parts of the interior, it had gotten brittle over the years and couldn't be salvaged. Melander opted for simple white instead.
BEFORE: The oculus above the entry in the bell tower is an original feature. It faces east and once flooded the church with light on Sunday mornings.
Now the tower consists of three separate levels: the entry, a painting studio inside the oculus and storage at the top. A ladder on the top level leads outside to a deck with amazing views. Inside, Melander built a ladder and platform to access the small studio.
The 80-square-foot studio has a clear view of the surrounding property. The church is relatively isolated, but a few farms can be seen in the distance. A small ladder on the other side of the room leads to the next level.
The original church was entirely open, so Melander incorporated a few barriers for privacy. The vertical fireplace gave him a space for the kitchen and a staircase to a new upstairs loft, but it doesn't distract from the church's volume. Instead, the vertical element exaggerates the ceiling height and mimics the bell tower outside.
BEFORE: Melander discovered that a false ceiling had been put up at some point, disguising the church's true height. Tearing down the dilapidated wood and insulation revealed an 18-foot-high ceiling.
AFTER: Melander was careful to maintain the old while adding some new features. The trim and window details were custom matched to the original design. Yellow pine heartwood, 120 years old and reclaimed from old ship beams, lines the main floor.
The majority of the remodel — almost $130,000 — went towards building out the new interior, adding sheet rock, insulation, new finishes and paint.
Demolition also revealed some surprises from the church's past. Many churches built during this time had a Bible built into the foundation. During the remodel Melander discovered that it had been excavated out after the church was decommissioned. He also found several old coins and a knitting needle that had fallen beneath the floorboards.
Shutters: painted cedar; bench, armchairs, love seat: vintage
The majority of the remodel — almost $130,000 — went towards building out the new interior, adding sheet rock, insulation, new finishes and paint.
Demolition also revealed some surprises from the church's past. Many churches built during this time had a Bible built into the foundation. During the remodel Melander discovered that it had been excavated out after the church was decommissioned. He also found several old coins and a knitting needle that had fallen beneath the floorboards.
Shutters: painted cedar; bench, armchairs, love seat: vintage
Behind the fireplace a steel and apple plywood staircase leads up to the lofted bedroom and bathroom.
Translucent blue plastic hangs on steel rings outside the narrow windows in the bedroom. Melander cut these openings to allow light from the bedroom's west window to flood the main living space below the loft. Since the plastic is secured only at the top, it waves softly whenever a breeze comes in from the outside. "The design was also a nod to an imaginary organ, with the 'pipes' ascending upward," says Melander.
Bedroom floor: white mosaic Daltile; sconces: Artemide Tolomeo Sconces
Bedroom floor: white mosaic Daltile; sconces: Artemide Tolomeo Sconces
White mosaic tile flooring continues in the adjacent bathroom. Melander found this 20th-century French bathtub at a salvage store in nearby Minneapolis.
Putting in new septic, plumbing and electrical systems for the church became a big investment, totaling to about $52,000.
Bathroom fixtures: Chicago Faucets
Putting in new septic, plumbing and electrical systems for the church became a big investment, totaling to about $52,000.
Bathroom fixtures: Chicago Faucets
Downstairs the kitchen is simple but functional. Melander didn't want this new necessity to interfere with the main space, but he also needed it to be easily accessed. Tucking it behind the staircase and fireplace helped accomplish both. Sconces act as task lighting when needed but also provide ambient lighting reflected up toward the ceiling.
Sink: Bobrick commercial stainless sink; stove: Garland commercial range
Sink: Bobrick commercial stainless sink; stove: Garland commercial range
BEFORE: From the outside the church looks the same, which is exactly what Melander wanted. "I just wanted to let the envelope be," he says.
AFTER: The church is set on a remote 3-acre property; only forest and farmland can be seen from its front stoop.
More: From Olden Church to a Soaring Modern Marvel
More: From Olden Church to a Soaring Modern Marvel
Exterior siding: painted cedar clapboard; roofing: green asphalt shingle