Former Church Transformed Into Four Unique Homes—Complete With Bell Tower and Stained-Glass Windows—Lists for $1.5 Million

A historic, 120-year-old, Gothic-style church that has been painstakingly restored and transformed into a multifamily property has hit the market in Portland, OR, for $1.5 million—offering a “rare” investment opportunity for one savvy buyer.

The church turned dwelling, which was built in 1902, boasts four different living units. Each is filled with furniture crafted from some of the property’s original furnishings, including the pews that once seated the church’s congregation.

“Notable historical features like the 20-foot pews repurposed into railings, staircases, and furniture, add unique character to the living spaces, making this property a true gem in Portlands rich architectural history,” the listing notes.

Each of the units is at least 2,100 square feet with at least two bathrooms and three or four bedrooms. Plus, they all have separate entrances, making them ideal rental properties.

Perhaps one of the most awe-inspiring elements of the property is the original stained glass, which occupies multiple windows and was recently restored to its original glory, giving the structure a unique flair.

“It was a church and then when it was turned into living units, the person that did that project was super talented and he was able to repurpose a lot of the pews and other religious stuff into furniture and stairways and kind of really unique detail,” explains listing agent David Columbus, with Living Room Realty.

“So it kind of has that kind of repurposed element to it.

“Having the voluminous space of a church and the sanctuary and all those big spaces make all the units just really big and they have lots of air and light.”

Columbus adds that the largest unit has a “big sanctuary space, but all of them have really cool windows, and most have some kind of stained glass.” He notes that the current seller has had the place since 1996 and just spent two years restoring all of the stained glass.

Interestingly, the building was not originally constructed in the plot where it sits today, having been moved in 1911 when it was being used as the Mizpah Presbyterian Church. A new addition was added in 1924 in order to expand the structure.

The church occupied the property until 1961, when it was rented out to other businesses and entities through 1978.

The original bell, cast in 1888 by Vanduzen and Tift at the Buckeye Bell Foundry in Cincinnati, OH, is still in the bell tower, and it still works to this day.

“There’s a staircase up to the bell tower, but it’s locked; but whoever owns it would get the key,” Columbus says with a laugh. Access to the bell tower is through a deck on one of the rental units.

Each of the rentals is currently occupied.

“Historically, the turnover has been super, super low just because it is such a unique space, and it’s been super well managed and maintained, so people like to live there,” he says, adding that the maintenance and management people have agreed to stay on with the new buyer if they want.

The building is on the National Register of Historic Places and is the oldest structure in the neighborhood of Ladds Addition.

“It’s like living in an antique,” Columbus says. “What churches try to do is create a space of light and reverence and that kind of thing. That’s what it feels like [inside].”

He says people who have come to see the former church say it was a type of gathering place for a long time, both when it was a church and when it was space for classes and concerts after the church vacated.

“The perfect buyer, I think, would be an owner-occupier or someone in the neighborhood since it has been such a community space,” Columbus says. “It has a community feel to it.”