Methodist Church Makeover

An old church becomes a cozy home.

Filed under: Home Types

Some homeowners decorate their homes with memorable photographs of times past and other reminders of the past.

When the congregation moved to a new building, B.F. Hicks stepped up to save the old sanctuary. His Mt. Vernon, Texas, home itself is a time capsule. His grandparents attended the former Methodist Church every Sunday and Hicks' parents were married in the 1930s building.

After five years of planning, it took a crew of seven, working full time, a year to finish the renovation. The lower level Sunday school rooms were converted into a living area, master bedroom, bathroom and, of course, a kitchen. The main sanctuary is pretty much the same as when Hicks' parents were married there in 1949. The main area of the band hall features a living space, dining area and yet another kitchen.

Hicks now has home made for entertaining. The three kitchens come in handy when he opens up the old church for potluck gatherings. Hicks has even taken over the vacant Mt. Vernon Band Hall next door, where he used to practice trumpet as a high school student.