After buying a 19th-century church in Chicago for $1.1 million, a couple turned it into a private home and an event space for the community

Frank OlitoNov 9, 2020, 22:33 IST

The converted home is located in Logan Square, Chicago.Courtesy of Petra Ford for Paper and Pate Photography

In 2017, Jim Jacoby and Molly Currey purchased a former Catholic church in Logan Square, Chicago, for $1.1 million.
The 6,000-square-foot church has been converted into a three-bedroom home, and the altar is now the couple's living room.
Jacoby and Currey often host music events in their living space, and they opened a restaurant in the basement to give back to the community.

When a couple stumbled upon a former church in Chicago, they instantly knew they'd found their new home.

Jim Jacoby and Molly Currey purchased a former Catholic church that dates back to 1888. Now, they're living in it full time, while also welcoming the local community into the restaurant they built in the basement.

Keep reading to find out how they turned a former house of worship into their living space.

Having both just gotten out of marriages, Jim Jacoby and Molly Currey were in a time of transition when they stumbled upon the church in Chicago in 2017.

Jim Jacoby and Molly Currey. Courtesy of Jim Jacoby

Jacoby said they were instantly drawn to the energy of the building, which dates back to the 1800s.

The church while in operation. Courtesy of Petra Ford for Paper and Pate Photography

The couple bought the church in 2017 for $1.1 million.

The exterior of the church today. Courtesy of Petra Ford for Paper and Pate Photography

The church's main altar has been transformed into the couple's living room.

The living room. Courtesy of Molly Currey

The pews that were once in front of the altar have been removed, and the space has been turned into an open floor concept.

The main living space. Courtesy of Lloyd Pursall

The kitchen is next to the former altar and is filled with modern amenities.

The kitchen. Courtesy of Petra Ford for Paper and Pate Photography

There's even more kitchen space through an ornamental archway.

The kitchen. Courtesy of Petra Ford for Paper and Pate Photography

The master bedroom is located behind the dining area and next to the kitchen.

The master bedroom. Courtesy of Lloyd Pursall

Above the master bedroom sits a loft that houses two additional bedrooms.

The stairs lead to the loft. Courtesy of Petra Ford for Paper and Pate Photography

There are religious symbols and figurines placed throughout the home as a nod to the building's history.

Figurines in the house. Courtesy of Petra Ford for Paper and Pate Photography

To further honor the church's history, Jacoby and Currey have opened up their home to the community as an event space.

A performance in the living space. Courtesy of Jim Jacoby

Plus, the couple turned the basement into a restaurant with rotating chefs.

The restaurant. Courtesy of Aidan Kranz

As the couple continues to make a name for themselves in the community, they hope to continue to call this place their home.

The exterior of the church. Courtesy of Petra Ford for Paper and Pate Photography

How Miss Universe, Miss USA, and Miss America are different

Cookies on the Business Insider India website