When the ceramic artist Ayumi Horie told me about the old country church in Cottekill, New York, that she has been living and working in for the past ten years, I was totally enchanted.
I love a classic white church with stained glass windows, so it does my heart good to see this one so well preserved and cared for.
She’s now selling the property, which includes both a connected house and art studio, for $349,000.
The Cottekill church was built in 1898 and once served as a place of worship for both Methodists and the Dutch Reformed.
Here’s how it looked on an old black and white postcard, circa 1915:
You can see it hasn’t changed all that much in a hundred years!
Behind the original church building is a 2-bedroom house connected by a breezeway, as well as a 400 square-foot working art studio currently used as the site for Ayumi Horie Pottery.
Ayumi hosts studio sales and annual craft sales in the church.
“Ideally,” she says, the new owner “will continue to use the space to create art and support the growing arts community.”
Here’s a photo taken inside the church during one of her pottery sales:
The entrance to the house, which is attached to the back of the church building:
It wasn’t an easy decision to sell the property, but she’s moving to be closer to family.
She says, “I’ve had the church for ten years and have loved every minute of it, from the beginning renovations when I would find caches of walnuts in the walls and bats in the belfry to the spiffed up sanctuary it is now.”
The kitchen has maple cabinets and stainless-steel countertops…
And a wood-burning stove in the corner to keep things cozy.
The bathroom has hand-planed cherry counters and a copper sink:
The art studio includes an 8 x 10 kiln room, as well as an office and half bath.
You can watch Ayumi work in videos she’s posted on her site.
I especially like the one called “You Know, You Got to Let It Grow.” It’s kind of mesmerizing to see the pottery take shape.
Cottekill is in the Hudson Valley, about 2 hours from New York City.
Here’s an aerial view of the church and surrounding area taken in the 1930s, much of which is wooded now:
The front of the church at dusk, after a snowfall:
Beautiful! Thanks to Ayumi for telling me about it.
For more photos and information, check the listing (sorry, it sold).
You can also learn more about Ayumi at Ayumi Horie Pottery.
How dreamy was that? The art studio alone had me at hello. Beautiful property and piece of history. I’d love to live in an old church. Too cool!
I’ve always been enthralled with the idea of living in an old church. to be surrounded by all of that would be just too lovely for words.
How charming! Can you imagine living a place like that? I’d feel constantly inspired…
Have a great day, Julia!
xo
Luciane at HomeBunch.com
Beautiful home! I too have found caches of walnuts in my house — glad I am not the only one. I loved the copper sink! And of course, love looking at the old photos and comparing them to the current property!
This is the thing of dreams!
Love it! Especially the Japanese influences and the tansu in the kitchen/dining area. As a collector of Japanese antique tansu I seldom see them so it is always special when they show up!
Oh, the writing I could get done there! Beautiful and inspiring — fingers crossed she gets a buyer who will treasure all that amazing space!
Just lovely!
While at Mass on Sunday I briefly tuned out and designed how the interior of the church would be my home. I had a brief sketch in my mind…then SNAP-back to reality.
Love it! 🙂
You can see this would be a difficult property to leave. It is so unique and beautiful. I do know that new owner will admire and appreciate its beauty.
I hope you will come and see the feature I have on an amazing sculptor.
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
The 2012 Artist Series
Just so charming. I love her antique furnishings and lots and lots of bookcases. Her choice of muted colors leaves one feeling serene. Great kitchen also! No stainless steel appliances, just good old period appliances that work. Thanks for posting.
I love that last shot…it really seems to glow! A lucky person to live there!
Cozy up w/ a nice cup of hot chocolate…wonder if people would come in to buy my stick figure and finger painting masterpieces….LOL!!!
You never know until you try! Ha. 🙂
It is absolutely STUNNING! I love everything about it – Ayumi’s decorating style is right up my alley! And I love that the church was left largely in tact and true to its history. What a wonderful space! I just feel happy and peaceful from looking at the photos.
So lovely – I kept forgetting it was a church! I love the idea of living in a church, but think I would find it … weird. I’ll just keep appreciating what others are doing with it 😉
This is so charming, I just love it. I could absolutely picture myself in a place like that.
Oh, WOW. That’s the only word I can form right now. And the price is incredible (I live in Northern VA, where you can’t get a decent townhouse for that price.)
Love! This is absolutely charming!
What a charming church. Makes me happy to see this place restored and loved. I hope the next owners will take good care of this church like Ayumi Hories has.
Beautiful and inspiring. I too hope the next owners will take good care of this church like Ayumi Hories has.
how beautiful & how serene this must be to live in! 🙂 chris
What a wonderfully restored church and an equally wonderful little place to live!
Beautiful! Looks just like the church we got married in in Stony Point, NY!
Sigh…
Back in the ’70s I visited a fascinating converted church in the Ross/Henderson area of Dallas owned by an acclaimed artist named John Ashley Bellamy. He called it “Moon Mansion” and rented space around the place to a variety of artists, including a poet friend of mine. Bellamy painted rather large scale realistic figure paintings and used the main auditorium as his gallery. They lined the high walls from floor to ceiling. One painting depicted a curly haired karate practitioner, but the face looked exactly like me. Bellamy said the painting looked more like me than the model did. It was a magical tour and got to return the following Christmastime for a great party.
I have a thing for churches, too . I love when you’re in an old one and the floor creaks just right. I swear I feel the soul of everyone that’s ever been there. The designs are so simple and peaceful, too.
Hi Julia – HOW LOVELY thank you for sharing. I like the idea of living in a converted church seems very charming. I watched a church conversion in Ireland a while back it turned out beautiful they did it in a way (lots of timber) that you could convert it back to church easily. Regards Esther from Sydney. PS you would have loved the stained glass in this church (love stained glass).
Imagine a bone chillingly cold winter night and coming home to that lovely home, full of such resonance and beauty. It would beckon like a warm meal or good conversation with friends and family after a hard day.
Just the sight of that converted church ,inside and out, is a thrill. I’m so glad the owner kept the feel of so much of the original, stained glass and all.
I’m in love! That space really calls my name, and seems the perfect space for creativity to flow. Thank you for that great story….makes me want to go find the town!
Because it was a church I’m wondering if there’s a cemetary on the property. How unique and lovely.
I’ve always wanted to live in a cave house or church house.
So quaint! Absolutely lovely! Do people stop by for a sermon? Lol
What an enchanting place! And it sounds like a good deal, too–not a bad price for such a beautiful property.
I LOVE old churches. This one is so lovely; I’m glad that it hasn’t been torn down!