A red-brick house of worship in Detroit needs some creative intervention. The former church just hit the market for $399,000.

Built in 1949, this 4,000-square-foot sanctuary formerly operated as the Mount Olive East Missionary Baptist Church until it closed its doors in 2009.

The building is said to have been home to St. Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran Church before that.

“It was a former church built in the late 1800s, but there was a fire years ago, and it had to be completely rebuilt,” says listing agent James Bufalino, of Premier Property Services. “The city now owns it in conjunction with a private company.”

The one-time church could be remodeled into a residence, but will a buyer be up to the challenge?

Seeking a savior

The listing is currently accepting proposals through June 15 from potential buyers looking to restore some life to the place.

“The best use of the property, in my opinion, would be a single-family home; but it could also be a great live-and-work space, or a community center, or educational center,” Bufalino says, adding that the “biggest hurdle” to the property’s transformation will be ensuring that the buyer’s vision for the place is in keeping with his historic qualities.

In addition to preserving the character of the property, which is in the Indian Village Historic District, there are a few other conditions for buyers.

“It does lack parking, but people are used to street parking,” Bufalino notes. “You also couldn’t have a multifamily [structure]. You have to get approval from both the Detroit Land Bank and Historic District Commission, but they are truly open to any type of ownership that is conducive to the neighborhood.”

Bufalino also points out that in a remodel, certain details must be preserved as part of the historically sensitive rehabilitation project, especially if the proposal is to convert the space to a single-family residence.

He adds that a prospective buyer should consider the renovation costs as a first step.

“Realistically, you are going to spend $400,000 to acquire the property and then another $600,000 renovating it,” he says. “You need about $1 million to do it right, with the proper finishes, the right stones, marbles, and countertops.”

According to the listing, a new roof and gutters were recently installed, and some interior and exterior modifications have also been made.

Despite the significant work that will be required to revamp the building, prospective buyers are swarming.

“We have had a ton of interest across the board, with a lot of people looking to transform it into a single-family use,” Bufalino reports. “The stained-glass is phenomenal. It’s a clean palette for someone to come in, put some finishing touches, and make it their own without extreme modifications.”

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