Divine Dwelling: Former Cincinnati Church Reborn as a Heavenly $1.5M Home

by Tiffani Sherman

There was talk of tearing down an old church in Cincinnati. Instead, it was converted into a large home with divine details.

The home is now listed for $1,499,900—which reflects a recent discount of $150,000.

The building dates to 1860 and initially served as the York Street Methodist Episcopal Church, according to published reports. It became a Seventh-day Adventist Church around 1976.

Bold beauty

The building was vacant in 2017, when the current owner purchased it for just $35,000 and turned it into the 9,756-square-foot stunner with 20-foot-high ceilings it is today.

There are five bedrooms, five bathrooms, and huge living spaces that blend history with modern design.

The former church sanctuary is now the main living space, which is lined with original arched windows with yellow-stained glass. The sleek, open kitchen is tucked into a nook on the main level, and it has a large window and a bold yellow and black design.

On the opposite end of the room, you’ll find the church’s organ. It is the focal point of a carpeted and cozy space for living or working. There’s a loft space overlooking the live-work area and the main living space.

A former meeting hall on the lower level now has two guest apartments, each with a kitchen and living space. One apartment has two bedrooms and two bathrooms. The other has one bedroom and a bathroom.

The list price includes the furnishings for the two guest apartments.

The inventive use of the space caught the attention of the Cincinnati Preservation Society, which presented the 2022 Adaptive Reuse Award to the seller, Abdiel Acevedo.

The three spaces in the house have been available as short-term rentals, which can bring in about $140,000 a year in rental income, according to the listing.

On Airbnb, the converted church is available for as much as $1,299 a night.

Rick Finn and Holly Finn with Coldwell Banker Realty are the listing agents.