The Church

Baker’s Point, East Jeddore
Design and Construction: Owners

When Steve Sekerak and Mary Lou Roche retired they chose to construct a unique home using a century old Baptist church located in a small fishing village on the Eastern Shore, close to Halifax.

The building hadn’t been used as a church in some time though it had been used by a previous owner as a summer cottage. When they bought the building it was basically a shell, providing Steve, a carpenter, with a blank canvas to work with. Steve drew up the plans for the building himself and had a certified engineer inspect and sign off on them. In 2007, after four years of weekend labour they moved in.

The church was constructed of milled lumber from the local area.  It encompassed a beautiful timber frame construction using old and very heavy beams. Working from this solid structure, Steve and Mary Lou installed an in floor heating system and insulated the building completely, creating a cozy, energy efficient space. 

By working with an existing building and doing most of the work themselves, they avoided going into debt on this project. This was especially important in their retirement years. 

Like so many other buildings of its vintage, it was at risk due to neglect. Said Sekerak, “If we hadn’t come along when we did it would have had to be bulldozed It was just at the point where it was salvageable.”