How Do You Turn a Historical Chapel into a Home?

Photos by Exit Assurance Realty

The Challenge

When the historical Episcopal chapel of the Groton School, built in 1887 and designed by Washington National Cathedral architect Henry Vaughan, first went on the market, Marilyn Schwartz was captivated. Five years later, she and her husband, Dan, bought it, drawn to its architectural grandeur and legacy. Their vision: transform the long-vacant property—which had minimal plumbing and a basement kitchen—into a private residence, with the nave becoming a spectacular great room.

The Solution

Renovating was familiar territory for Dan, an experienced contractor, but even for him, this project was unprecedented. To make the nave the centerpiece of the home, the couple first removed the roof to insulate above the half-barrel ceiling. “We had someone sanding the ceilings for more than six months to bring them back to their original state,” says Marilyn, who amplified the room with uplighting above the molding and on the support rods. The original stained-glass windows were meticulously restored and protected with exterior plexiglass, preserving the chapel’s authentic character, while character-grade oak flooring and a chef’s kitchen infuse a sense of home. The most striking feature, however, is the reimagined choir loft. Originally angled so choir singers in back could overlook those in front, it was leveled and adorned with a new decorative steel railing, creating a stunning overlook to the living area. “It doesn’t feel like a church,” Marilyn says. “It’s just a beautiful place to live.”