We bought a Church!

We bought a CHURCH!!!

Yes, my wife and I are restoring a church and 5 acres of land into a retirement home and homestead. Where to start?

If you can offer suggestions, advice and guidance we would appreciate it.

We have started a YouTube channel to document our projects to date. We are also asking subscribers to follow along on our restoration and homesteading journey.

Here’s the link:

https://youtube.com/channel/UC523XQ1EmRZi2s3i70ImJew

Thanks
Garry and Betty Leyte
The Ole Church 5 Acre Homestead
Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador Canada

Garry, welcome to Permies!

Gosh, is that the same building in both pictures? Looks like someone has already done a lot of work turning the building into a home. Have you mapped out the property yet? A map and a list of goals you are working toward, that really help with planning. Gives you a visual of key features and lets you brainstorm about potential places to put things.

Hi,

It is the same building. We hired contractors to do the roof (my wife would not allow me to go up there).

The rest of the restoration so far, siding and door and windows my wife and I completed.

Inside, we installed a wood stove, our only source of heat. We have a septic tank but no running water.

We are currently searching Kijiji and other classifieds for insulation. There is absolutely none in the walls.

Note: My grandparents attended the church and are resting/buried in the cemetery next to the church.

The transformation is quite impressive. And the family connection makes it really special. Great idea to document it. I hope you document some of it here, on Permies.

This we will do for sure Mrs. Tate. You are kindly welcomed to subscribe to our YouTube channel as well.

Garry and Betty

Old churches are wonderful structures in many ways. Often they were community built and maintained, lovingly and well. The light and acoustics inspire and welcome. Even better if there is a second-level balcony -- I always loved those. And of course, the history! The community may have faded with time; and yet I like to think the noblest part of themselves lives on.

Hi Folks,

Betty and I had a GREAT weekend working on The Ole Church 5 Acre Homestead. See the attached pictures.

Going to Craft our own Board and Batten Door soon.

Garry Betty Leyte —
The Ole Church 5 Acre Homestead

Wow, what a wonderful project! Permies should buy all the churches in Poland, haha. Unfortunately, the "men in black" are not selling ;)

How is the land? Are you creating a garden there, or is there one already?

That's a lot of space in that building, how is it going to be heated? Have you thought about any zero-emission heating options to help reduce the cost of heating? like geothermal and solar water heating for in-floor radiant heat.

Garry Leyte wrote:We bought a CHURCH!!!

Yes, my wife and I are restoring a church and 5 acres of land into a retirement home and homestead. Where to start?

If you can offer suggestions, advice and guidance we would appreciate it.

We have started a YouTube channel to document our projects to date. We are also asking subscribers to follow along on our restoration and homesteading journey.

Here’s the link:

https://youtube.com/channel/UC523XQ1EmRZi2s3i70ImJew

Thanks
Garry and Betty Leyte
The Ole Church 5 Acre Homestead


Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador Canada

This is amazing! I will look up your youtube channel too!!

Did you drop the roof?

Lots of comments and questions to our recent post: We Bought a church!

For heat, we have installed a Pacific Energy Wood Stove. We plan to install a heat pump as well later.

We have been back and forth on what to do about the ceiling. Any advice and suggestions are welcome folks.

Betty and I appreciate all your questions and your kind and encouraging comments.

Please check out our YouTube channel for access to tons of pictures and videos:

Garry Betty Leyte — The Ole Church 5 Acre Homestead