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Whitney Anderson is renovating a former Methodist church in Michigan into a home after buying it alongside a parsonage for $45,000. The project has involved substantial structural repairs and close to $200,000 in renovation cash flow, according to Hunker’s report; Anderson says its long-term financial sustainability remains uncertain.
Whitney Anderson is renovating a former Methodist church in Michigan into a home after purchasing it with a parsonage for $45,000, according to a report by Hunker. The project, which Anderson has documented on Instagram, involves preserving the 1898 church while addressing structural problems; Hunker reports renovation cash flow nearing $200,000, and Anderson has said it is unclear whether the project will prove financially sustainable.
Hunker reports that Anderson, who grew up in New York City, was drawn to the project by a childhood love of stained glass. She found a parsonage for sale in Michigan that came with a church. The property was initially listed for $125,000, but she negotiated the purchase price down to $45,000 and paid cash, according to the report.
The church was built in 1898 as a Methodist place of worship. Its interior included an altar and pews, and the building has a bell tower. Anderson’s renovation goal is to adapt the historic structure for residential use while retaining features and history she values. Hunker says the work has also uncovered substantial structural needs, including water damage that required hired help.
Anderson did some demolition and most of the flooring work herself, the report says. She had saved $250,000 before beginning her property search, and avoided a mortgage payment by buying with cash. Her renovation account, @houseofvitrail, attracted attention and led to sponsorships and support in the form of materials and labor. She also appeared on Magnolia Network’s Home Reimagined, according to Hunker. The report describes the project’s cash flow as close to $200,000, but does not provide a detailed accounting of expenses or clarify how that figure is calculated.
The Cost of Reusing a Historic Church
Anderson’s project shows both the appeal and the risks of adapting a former religious building for a home. A low purchase price does not mean a low total cost: structural repairs, water damage and conversion work can add substantially to the initial outlay. The project is also unusual in the amount of personal labor and financial preparation it has required.
Her experience is not a cost guide for other buyers. Anderson had saved a large reserve, paid cash and received sponsorship-related support, according to Hunker. Those circumstances may not be available to someone considering a similar property. The report’s reference to mortgage rates is general context, not a calculation of what financing would cost for this particular renovation.
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From Methodist Church to Chouse
Anderson uses the term “chouse” for the combination of church and house she is creating. The building’s 1898 construction places the project in a different category from an ordinary interior refresh: it involves adapting a former place of worship while dealing with the condition of an older structure. Hunker reports that the church came with the parsonage when she found the property in Michigan.
Anderson shared the work through @houseofvitrail, and the attention around the account brought sponsorships and offers of materials and labor, according to Hunker. That support and her appearance on a Magnolia Network program form part of the project’s financial story, alongside her savings and hands-on work.
“It’s still 50/50 if this is going to be a sustainable chouse … or if it’s going to be what bankrupts me.”
— Whitney Anderson, in a video interview with CNBC Make It, as quoted by Hunker
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Project Costs and Completion Remain Open
The available report does not state whether the renovation is complete, when Anderson expects to finish, or what the final total cost will be. Hunker gives a figure of close to $200,000 in renovation cash flow, but does not break down that amount or specify how sponsorships, donated materials and labor are treated in it.
The report also does not detail the full scope of structural repairs, the church’s current residential status, or any permits and approvals required for its conversion. Anderson’s comment about the project potentially being unsustainable is her own assessment, not confirmation that she is facing bankruptcy. Further information would be needed to establish the project’s final financial result.
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Anderson’s Renovation Continues
Anderson’s next milestone is not specified in the material Hunker reported. Her project remains described as ongoing, so readers should look to updates from @houseofvitrail and any further reporting from CNBC Make It or Magnolia Network for information about repairs, completion and final spending.
Until those details are available, the confirmed picture is a low-cost cash purchase followed by a major renovation supported by Anderson’s savings, personal labor and outside assistance. Whether the finished home is financially sustainable remains unresolved.
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Key Questions
Who is renovating the former church?
Whitney Anderson is renovating the Michigan church into a home, which she calls a “chouse.” She shares the project on Instagram as @houseofvitrail.
How much did Anderson pay for the property?
Hunker reports that Anderson negotiated the price from an original $125,000 listing to $45,000 and paid cash. The property included a parsonage and a church.
How much has the renovation cost?
Hunker describes the renovation’s cash flow as close to $200,000. The report does not provide an itemized budget or explain precisely how the figure accounts for sponsorships, donated materials or labor.
Is the church renovation finished?
The source describes the project as ongoing and gives no completion date. Its final cost and financial outcome have not been reported.
How is Anderson funding the work?
According to Hunker, she saved $250,000 before looking for a property, paid cash for the purchase, and did some demolition and most flooring work herself. Her social media reach also brought sponsorships and support with materials and labor.
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