19th Century York Street Methodist Episcopal Church Revived as a New Personal Sanctuary

This gothic-style house of worship remains a one-of-a-kind bright space for residents.

Last week, our Bright Spot told the story of a church whose entire history seems to be one of resilience. A historic home for fellowship that has stood the test of time. This week, we unveil how a church can become a stunning home.

The York Street Methodist Episcopal Church on the corner of Cincinnati’s Baymiller and York Streets has been a hallmark of the community since its construction in 1866. For the next century and a half, the massive structure was a symbol of worship, welcoming, and the ever-lasting love and belief in something bigger than ourselves.

Throughout its history, York Street Methodist Episcopal was home to some of the most well-attended praise events, not only within the local community, but also within Cincinnati proper. Through the decades, a number of new owners kept the church alive. Mostly notably, between 1970 and 2017, the Episcopal church was under the stewardship of the Allegheny West Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

However, as is an unfortunate truth about many historic institutions (particularly houses of worship), the structure sat completely vacant for a solid 10 years. Its stature may have been mighty, but its walls remained silent, waiting for someone to give it a new lease on life.

York Street Methodist Episcopal found that new lease 2021. Xavier University graduate Abdiel Acevedo took on the ambitious task of converting the church into a livable residence. For the next two years, he transformed the nearly 9,000-square-foot space into a personal sanctuary. The home includes five bedrooms, five-and-a-half bathrooms, and two ready-to-rent units.

Acevedo did, however, maintain some of the finer points of the church, updating them for structural purposes and historic preservation. The arched windows, grand staircase at the entrance, the original brickwork in the cellar, and the private garden all remain. He did lean heavily into the gothic aesthetic of the original build, painting the exterior black (while increasing the breadth of the interior with lighting and bright colors).

This story and last week’s prove that places of worship need never lose to the ongoing and oftentimes unforgiving nature of time. Some of these structures suffer from major loss (fires, natural disasters); many of them fall prey to the unfortunate call of capitalism.

However, they need not lose their prominence within communities. Whether they become historic sites or places locals can call home, they are always a means for people to find peace and a reminder of a higher, greater presence.

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