Former church opens doors Tuesday to new life as apartment homes

Community members can tour a divine new housing complex crafted in the former First United Methodist church in New Holland Tuesday.

The building once housed both the Methodists and Baptist church congregations in the little mill village just off Jesse Jewell Parkway but was refitted to have six studio apartments and two one bedroom apartments, called New Holland Studios.

The property was bought and redesigned by Frank Norton Jr and his brother, Bob Norton. “It was Frank’s vision,” said Emilie Norton Cisco, Emi Norton Cisco, Norton Brand Representative and Frank Norton Jr’s daughter. She was engaged in the project as the church sanctuary and basement turned into affordable housing for the average Hall County worker.

“He saw this church, he walked in, he and his brother actually bought it, so it’s a project between Bob and Frank Norton, and they saw a vision. I thought they were crazy! They brought in a couple contractors and pretty sure the contractors thought they were crazy. But we’ve been working on it a little over a year and we’re finally ready to open it up and show off the amazing apartments.”

Studios begin at $850 and single bedrooms are $1,550. Utilities and Norton management are included, but those aren’t the details that make the apartments sparkle.

The original stained glass windows have been preserved, letting colorful light dance through into a kitchen and living space in the single bedroom units; brickwork, original support beams and original floors spread through studio units; small, special details such as crosses displaying room numbers, lighted art of the stained glass most units and the first step of the pulpit remaining in place add to the character of the church that is now welcoming a new congregation home.

The open house is Tuesday, January 21, 2020 from TIMES. The church is located on Spring Street in New Holland, behind the Rec Center that is now Lanier Therapy in Motion.

Click through the photo gallery for a sneak peak of the church’s new look.

A photo of the sanctuary prior to conversion. Photo provided by the Norton Agency.

The restored exterior of the church. The housing units are on two levels, Main Floor and Sanctuary.

The step up to the pulpit on the Sanctuary level was preserved.

Original beams were preserved, along with leaded glass, original floors, exposed brick, and more.

A staged studio apartment. It features a kitchen, bedroom space, living room space, private bath and charming historical details

The original foyer is now a single bedroom apartment. One set of doors leading to the church steps was sealed, and Cisco said they hadn't decided if they would keep the other set of doors available to the resident as another private entrance.

Three of the sanctuary rooms boast 21 foot ceilings and giant stained glass windows in the living area.

Cooking with a view in one apartment on the Sanctuary level.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2020/1/868816/former-church-opens-doors-tuesday-to-new-life-as-apartment-homes