Updating a historic home can come with challenges (like hidden surprises behind every demolished wall). So we can only imagine the effort required to convert an old space that was never actually meant to be a house. Luckily, the couple that now lives in this 1896 church had one convenient advantage they’re architects who had always dreamed of taking on such a project.

A year of construction aimed to preserve as much of the church as possible (like the impressive windows and iconic steeple), but prepare the space for modern life. The result is a one-of-a-kind home with luxurious vaulted ceilings, creative outdoor patios, and an open living space big enough to entertain, well, a church congregation (or one busybody houseguest).