A man got a priest's blessing to convert a 137-year-old church into an Airbnb that rents for at least $200 a night. See the transformation.

Dan LatuApr 16, 2023, 00:16 IST

Over two years, Kyle Rooney converted an 1886-built Minneapolis church into an Airbnb that rents for $200 and up a night.Kyle Rooney

In 2020, Kyle Rooney paid $275,000 for a Liberal Catholic Church in Minneapolis.
He turned it into an Airbnb over two years with a $250,000 budget and help from design pros.

During the summer of 2020, Kyle Rooney, a 46-year-old Minneapolis resident who works for a medical device company and invests in real estate on the side, heard a local church was for sale.

Kyle Rooney

During the summer of 2020, Kyle Rooney, a 46-year-old Minneapolis resident who works for a medical device company and invests in real estate on the side, heard a local church was for sale.

When he saw its price drop, he asked for a tour. "I had absolutely no idea what to do with a church," Rooney said, "but I really wanted to see it."

Kyle Rooney, who converted a historic Minneapolis church into an Airbnb, and his family.Kyle Rooney

The 137-year-old church in South Minneapolis, a few blocks outside the trendy Uptown neighborhood, had been used by Episcopalian and Lutheran congregations.

The church even served as a furniture store and pipe-organ factory in its history .Kyle Rooney

In 1927, it became the spiritual home of St. Francis Parish, a Liberal Catholic congregation. But as years passed, the popularity of the Liberal Catholic parish dwindled.

Kyle Rooney

In 1927, it became the spiritual home of St. Francis Parish, a Liberal Catholic congregation. But as years passed, the popularity of the Liberal Catholic parish dwindled.

The last service performed in the space was during Easter of 2020. When he toured it that fall, Rooney was in awe of the space.

Rooney with one of the church's previous priests.Kyle Rooney

Rooney, who grew up Roman Catholic, then met with Father Richard Curney, who oversaw the parish's closing. Curney assured him the space was deconsecrated and ready for its next chapter.

Kyle Rooney

Rooney, who grew up Roman Catholic, then met with Father Richard Curney, who oversaw the parish's closing. Curney assured him the space was deconsecrated and ready for its next chapter.

Rooney bought the church for $275,000 in December 2020. Other interested groups had proposed converting the space into apartments or tearing it down entirely, but Rooney was committed to preserving its history.

Kyle Rooney

Rooney bought the church for $275,000 in December 2020. Other interested groups had proposed converting the space into apartments or tearing it down entirely, but Rooney was committed to preserving its history.

Rooney initially budgeted $100,000 for the project. After the hand-drawn plans he had submitted to the city were roundly rejected, he enlisted professionals to help.

Kyle Rooney

He hired local architectural firm Clever Architecture and interior designer Kara Wheeler. Converting the church with their help ended up costing a total of $250,000.

Kyle Rooney

The large basement was divided to make three bedrooms. The finished rental has 2.5 bathrooms and sleeps 8.

Kyle Rooney

Renovating such an old building presented challenges. The basement floors had to be raised so the bedrooms could have a means of egress, or an unobstructed path to leave, through their windows.

Kyle Rooney

Renovating such an old building presented challenges. The basement floors had to be raised so the bedrooms could have a means of egress, or an unobstructed path to leave, through their windows.

Six months into what ended up being a two-year project, Rooney said he had second thoughts. "If I would have known how much work and time it would have taken, I'm not sure I would have done it," he said.

Kyle Rooney

Six months into what ended up being a two-year project, Rooney said he had second thoughts. "If I would have known how much work and time it would have taken, I'm not sure I would have done it," he said.

Rooney wanted to make as few adjustments to the raw space as possible. All of the wood in the chapel — which is now a living, dining, and game room — is original.

Kyle Rooney

Rooney wanted to make as few adjustments to the raw space as possible. All of the wood in the chapel — which is now a living, dining, and game room — is original.

A massive fire in the 1980s caused the roof to collapse into the chapel. Part of the altar survived and remains in the Airbnb. Rooney posted a newspaper article about the fire in the space so visitors could learn its history.

Kyle Rooney

A massive fire in the 1980s caused the roof to collapse into the chapel. Part of the altar survived and remains in the Airbnb. Rooney posted a newspaper article about the fire in the space so visitors could learn its history.

The hardest part was getting every step approved by the city because the property was being rezoned from commercial to residential use, Rooney said.

Kyle Rooney

In 2022, he was thrilled when the certificate of occupancy was approved and he could post the property on Airbnb and other short-term-rental booking sites.

Kyle Rooney

The 4,000-square-foot space, dubbed the Lyndale Church Lodge, finally opened to visitors in November of 2022. It now rents for about $200 and up per night.

Over two years, Kyle Rooney converted an 1886-built Minneapolis church into an Airbnb that rents for $200 and up a night.Kyle Rooney

The first guests were a family visiting relatives in Minneapolis for Thanksgiving. They were so taken with the space that they ended up hosting Thanksgiving dinner at the church.

Kyle Rooney

The first guests were a family visiting relatives in Minneapolis for Thanksgiving. They were so taken with the space that they ended up hosting Thanksgiving dinner at the church.

Business groups can conduct meetings and use the original pulpit, Rooney said. The rental has Wi-Fi and a sound system.

Kyle Rooney

Thirteen people can fit at a massive table Rooney found via a local architecture firm that was going out of business. "You can reenact The Last Supper if you want," he joked.

Kyle Rooney

Thirteen people can fit at a massive table Rooney found via a local architecture firm that was going out of business. "You can reenact The Last Supper if you want," he joked.

The Minneapolis Convention Center — plus the stadiums where the NFL's Vikings and the MLB's Twins play — are all within a three-mile radius.

Kyle Rooney

Rooney preserved pews, artifacts, and even priests' private mementos. He placed them in the space — repurposing some as furniture and decor — to pay homage to its history.

Kyle Rooney

Rooney preserved pews, artifacts, and even priests' private mementos. He placed them in the space — repurposing some as furniture and decor — to pay homage to its history.

In 1886, when the church was first built, it was surrounded by fields. Minneapolis grew up around it, but Rooney said the space still has a "prairie" feel.

Kyle Rooney

What was previously a tiny kitchen has been converted into what Rooney called a "gourmet" one.

Kyle Rooney

The building remains a sacred place despite its new purpose, Rooney said. "It still elicits a certain kind of feeling when you walk in," he added. "It's peaceful and quiet."

Kyle Rooney

The building remains a sacred place despite its new purpose, Rooney said. "It still elicits a certain kind of feeling when you walk in," he added. "It's peaceful and quiet."

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A man got a priest's blessing to convert a 137-year-old church into an Airbnb that rents for at least $200 a night. See the transformation.

During the summer of 2020, Kyle Rooney, a 46-year-old Minneapolis resident who works for a medical device company and invests in real estate on the side, heard a local church was for sale.

When he saw its price drop, he asked for a tour. "I had absolutely no idea what to do with a church," Rooney said, "but I really wanted to see it."

The 137-year-old church in South Minneapolis, a few blocks outside the trendy Uptown neighborhood, had been used by Episcopalian and Lutheran congregations.

In 1927, it became the spiritual home of St. Francis Parish, a Liberal Catholic congregation. But as years passed, the popularity of the Liberal Catholic parish dwindled.

The last service performed in the space was during Easter of 2020. When he toured it that fall, Rooney was in awe of the space.

Rooney, who grew up Roman Catholic, then met with Father Richard Curney, who oversaw the parish's closing. Curney assured him the space was deconsecrated and ready for its next chapter.

Rooney bought the church for $275,000 in December 2020. Other interested groups had proposed converting the space into apartments or tearing it down entirely, but Rooney was committed to preserving its history.

Rooney initially budgeted $100,000 for the project. After the hand-drawn plans he had submitted to the city were roundly rejected, he enlisted professionals to help.

He hired local architectural firm Clever Architecture and interior designer Kara Wheeler. Converting the church with their help ended up costing a total of $250,000.

The large basement was divided to make three bedrooms. The finished rental has 2.5 bathrooms and sleeps 8.

Renovating such an old building presented challenges. The basement floors had to be raised so the bedrooms could have a means of egress, or an unobstructed path to leave, through their windows.

Six months into what ended up being a two-year project, Rooney said he had second thoughts. "If I would have known how much work and time it would have taken, I'm not sure I would have done it," he said.

Rooney wanted to make as few adjustments to the raw space as possible. All of the wood in the chapel — which is now a living, dining, and game room — is original.

A massive fire in the 1980s caused the roof to collapse into the chapel. Part of the altar survived and remains in the Airbnb. Rooney posted a newspaper article about the fire in the space so visitors could learn its history.

The hardest part was getting every step approved by the city because the property was being rezoned from commercial to residential use, Rooney said.

In 2022, he was thrilled when the certificate of occupancy was approved and he could post the property on Airbnb and other short-term-rental booking sites.

The 4,000-square-foot space, dubbed the Lyndale Church Lodge, finally opened to visitors in November of 2022. It now rents for about $200 and up per night.

The first guests were a family visiting relatives in Minneapolis for Thanksgiving. They were so taken with the space that they ended up hosting Thanksgiving dinner at the church.

Business groups can conduct meetings and use the original pulpit, Rooney said. The rental has Wi-Fi and a sound system.

Thirteen people can fit at a massive table Rooney found via a local architecture firm that was going out of business. "You can reenact The Last Supper if you want," he joked.

The Minneapolis Convention Center — plus the stadiums where the NFL's Vikings and the MLB's Twins play — are all within a three-mile radius.

Rooney preserved pews, artifacts, and even priests' private mementos. He placed them in the space — repurposing some as furniture and decor — to pay homage to its history.

In 1886, when the church was first built, it was surrounded by fields. Minneapolis grew up around it, but Rooney said the space still has a "prairie" feel.

What was previously a tiny kitchen has been converted into what Rooney called a "gourmet" one.

The building remains a sacred place despite its new purpose, Rooney said. "It still elicits a certain kind of feeling when you walk in," he added. "It's peaceful and quiet."