5411 Route 212

Unique opportunity to own a historic 1854 church that could be reimagined in so many ways: as a spectacular private home, inspiring live/work space, large yoga studio (with attached shop or juice bar?), great art gallery or music venue, or even a destination cafe. Located about 9 miles from Tinker Street in Woodstock, on one of the main routes to Phoenicia, the worship hall features a double-height ceiling and beautiful light from traditional stained-glass windows. Attached to the original chapel is a large community room and a large kitchen. Another addition provides room for storage, a furnace, and two half bathrooms. A well needs to be drilled. Originally the water was supplied by a neighbors' well. In the Hudson Valley, a number of former churches have been transformed into stunning restaurants and homes. A quick Google search will provide plenty of images and ideas. As a live/work space, the community room and storage room could be transformed into a home, while the chapel -- with its dramatic ceiling -- could be great for large-scale paintings or sculpture. Concerts have been held here in the past; it's been said that the acoustics are wonderful. This lovely property, known for over one and a half centuries as the Shandaken Reformed Church is close to the Zen Mountain Monastery, Kate's Lazy Lodging, Migliorelli farm stand, and Emerson Resort & Spa. There's hiking, swimming, and tubing in summer; leaf-peeping and apple-picking in fall; skiing and snowboarding in winter; and a surge of cultural events in spring once the flowers and warmth return. If the Catskills, ecclesiastical architecture, and New York history grab you, and if you're interested in thoughtfully transforming a church into something new and exciting (or new and serene), please come take a look and start dreaming. What would you create?