An Old Church Became a Family’s Dream Home. Now It’s for Sale for $3.45 Million.
MINNEAPOLIS — A couple’s lifelong dream turned into reality when they transformed an old church in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, into their dream home. Now, after nearly four years of living in the unique space, Kelly Clement and Steve Bucher have decided to put the property on the market for $3.45 million.
The charming church-turned-home captivated Clement when she was young, as it reminded her of the mini Alpine village created by her mother at Christmastime. Her favorite piece in the village was a little white church with beautiful stained-glass windows. When the opportunity arose to recreate it in full scale, Clement and Bucher seized the chance.
It gets pretty spectacular walking by at nighttime, looking at the windows there, Clement said. The stunning windows, displaying sacred pictorial scenes, were salvaged from churches in Afton and Minneapolis. Skilled carpenters meticulously built individual frames and sashes for the windows, adding to the overall charm of the house.
But it wasn’t just the windows that received attention during the extensive renovation process. The couple stripped the building down to the studs and rebuilt it from scratch, leaving only a few original elements intact. The renovations included updates to plumbing and electrical systems, insulation, and the addition of solar panels on the roof and three heat pump furnaces.
The 7,800-square-foot space now features a three-bedroom, four-bathroom layout, complete with a concert venue and even a year-round hot tub. The kitchen was completely remodeled, boasting state-of-the-art electronic drawers, while a heated garage was added to ensure maximum comfort.
One of the highlights of this unique property is the basement area, where the couple added two bedrooms and a bathroom. Originally, they intended to use that space as a concert venue, opening it up to the community for musical performances. As musicians themselves, Clement and Bucher were determined to create the perfect acoustic environment and installed specialized equipment, such as a mixing unit, subwoofer, speakers, and high-tech software for the sound system.
We wanted to keep some of that liveliness in the room, but we did tone it down with some acoustic treatments so that modern musical performance doesn’t sound too muddy, Bucher explained.
The couple now hosts performances from various groups about once a month and hopes that the new owners will continue fostering the musical development of the community.
With the property just a few blocks away from White Bear Lake, the couple is also including a pontoon boat in the sale. As they embark on a new project, Clement and Bucher want to ensure that their beloved home finds owners who appreciate its uniqueness and continue to make it a vibrant part of the neighborhood.
The building would stay in their neighborhood, Bucher said. We want it to be used for what we built it for — musical performance and using it to foster the development of musicians in the community. … That would be the best outcome.
If you’re in search of a one-of-a-kind home that exudes charm, history, and the opportunity for community engagement through music, this converted church just might be the perfect fit. With its custom features, stunning stained-glass windows, and proximity to White Bear Lake, this $3.45 million property offers a unique opportunity to own a piece of both art and history. Don’t miss your chance to make this extraordinary home your own.
