Barrington Homebuyers: Hallelujah! Converted Church in Minnesota Is This Week’s Most Popular Home

A heavenly conversion of a historic Minnesota church made a divine impression on home shoppers. The transformed house of worship ascended to the top of this week’s 10 most popular homes on realtor.com®.

Former churches make for intriguing single-family homes thanks to their impossibly tall ceilings, wide-open spaces, and stained-glass windows that let in streams of colored light. There’s also the connection with living in a home that served as a sacred space for so many. We’ve seen quite a few converted churches arise in our weekly accounting of the most popular properties—and for home buyers who want a home unlike any other, these holy houses make perfect sense.

This example in Minnesota features cozy, carved-out spaces; a modern kitchen; and a smart use of space and existing architectural elements. Peep at the listing photos to see if you feel the spirit of inspiration move you.

Aside from the converted church, you also clicked on a home owned by New York Yankees legend Andy Pettitte, a Washington, DC, mansion made for megafundraiser events, and a sprawling Bucks County farm dating to 1704.

And, of course, there were a couple of quirky contenders this week, including a Kansas hunting lodge with a private gun range and an unfinished, solid cement house in Texas.

However, it’s the church transformed into a family home that gets all the praise this week. And to that, we say, “Amen!”

10. 13969 S Maple Hollow Cir, Draper, UT

Price: $1,750,000
Why it’s here: Sitting at the end of a private cul-de-sac on 1.5 acres, this estate is built for fun. It features an outdoor sport court, custom playground, 50-foot party pavilion, and in-ground chess board. Built in 1994, the six-bedroom house measures 8,582 square feet, which is plenty of space to accommodate friends and family.

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9. 607 Pine Ridge Rd, Beech Mountain, NC

Price: $199,000
Why it’s here: An Alpine-style resort in the Carolinas?! This rustic three-bedroom mountain retreat is just minutes from Beech Mountain Ski Resort.

Highlights of the house in the woods include large windows, an oversize deck, wood-burning fireplace, as well as a sleeping loft accessed by a spiral staircase. The two loft bedrooms are separated by privacy panels and share a bathroom.

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8. 6550 Meetinghouse Rd, New Hope, PA

Price: $8,900,000
Why it’s here: This 33-acre Bucks County property is known as Finale Farm and dates to 1704. One room, believed to be the original log cabin on this parcel, features Dutch doors and a walk-in fireplace (yes, really!).

But the rest of the 6,323-square-foot, seven-bedroom home is strictly modern. The grounds include a patio, formal gardens, two-story bank barn, and lake house overlooking the lake and creek.

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7. 604 W Grand Ave, Yoakum, TX

Price: $374,000
Why it’s here: Historic and stately, this Greek Revival dates to 1912. It combines two lots for a total footprint of a third of an acre.

The interiors could use some love, but they possess plenty of potential. There are a number of charming, one-of-a-kind details, including the outdoor meditation pond and bar, a greenhouse with shower, and wraparound porches. It even comes with a shed that could be converted into a guesthouse.

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6. 1224 30th St NW, Washington, DC

Price: $12,800,000
Why it’s here: Built in 1840 to accommodate a crowd, this prestigious 10-bedroom home in the heart of Georgetown measures in at a whopping 11,100 square feet.

The grounds are meticulously groomed and feature greenhouses, a bowling green, herb garden, and boxwoods. Hosting large-scale events for visiting dignitaries is a breeze thanks to the entertaining pavilion with fireplace, a pool, and a four-bedroom guesthouse.

Washington DC — Washington, DC
realtor.com

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5. 6550 Westcreek Cir, Fort Worth, TX

Price: $350,000
Why it’s here: This concrete structure on a 5-acre lot isn’t done, which might be attractive to a buyer looking to create something unique.

Whatever the finished product looks like, it’ll be a perfect spot to create the rooftop deck of your dreams. The listing notes that the concrete home can support up to 50 people on the roof or even a hot tub.

The proposed five-bedroom structure was started way back in 1999, and it could be turned into a business, bar, or anything else a new owner dreams up.

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4. 6 Laurel Way, Purchase, NY

Price: $3,499,999
Why it’s here: This gorgeous Colonial is being sold by former Yankees ace Andy Pettitte. The six-bedroom beauty sits on an acre lot at the end of a cul-de-sac. Built in 2002, the home includes lavish touches like a two-story foyer, library, large rec room, and an unfinished basement.

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3. 2117 Toledano St, New Orleans, LA

Price: $390,000
Why it’s here: Jazzy and modern, this striking home from 2016 sits in the Faubourg Delassize neighborhood. Petite and perfect, the three-bedroom home is not only beautiful—it’s functional, too. It’s also wired for security and includes a lovely backyard with privacy fence.

New Olreans, LA — New Orleans, LA
realtor.com

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2. 8486 SW Santa Fe Lake Rd, Augusta, KS

Price: $1,100,000
Why it’s here: The current owners of this lodge have a passion for exotic animals, which is apparent in the parrot-themed stained glass, tiger skin rugs, and lions emblazoned across the double front doors. The 13,554-square-foot house was built in 1964 and would make a good bed-and-breakfast, according to the listing.

There’s also an observation tower and a huge entertainment space used as the “trophy room” with bar and sound system. Most important for a marksman who doesn’t want to leave the house, this place comes with an indoor rifle range.

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1. 60 W Main St, Lewiston, MN

Price: $269,900
Why it’s here: This historic church from 1900 has undergone a gorgeous transformation. It’s now a modern two-bedroom, 3,027-square-foot home that artfully incorporated the structure’s architectural history.

And there’s even some customization work left for a buyer. A partly finished basement beckons a new owner to bless it with whatever her heart desires.