Nebraska couple transforms a church into a home for two

BENEDICT, Neb. - The Zion Lutheran Church, that holds significance in the community of Benedict since 1917, will now be a new home for the Johnsons.

Due to the lack of funding and members, the City decided the church's time was up in January of last year.

This is when the Johnson's saw an opportunity.

"The sign for the real estate company had only been up for a day or so when I drove by and saw it was up," owner of the church, Kathy Johnson said. "We just kind of fell into it."

Although the couple is renovating the church and making adjustments, Kathy Johnson says she wants to be sure the history stays in tact.

"People are concerned, 'are you going to take the windows out?'," said Johnson. "I was like, no, I want them to stay, that's part of it. I want to keep the feel of the church, I don't want to change that."

The main floor will be their living area, including a kitchen, master bedroom, craft and sewing room, and mud room.

Johnson plans to keep all the windows. The basement will be used for Johnson's wildlife rehabilitation service, as well as her dog training business.

Because the space has served as a historic place of worship for many years, the Johnson's are embracing the history. Kathy says she's keeping the pew her and her family used to sit in when she was a member of the church.

The Johnson's hope to see the final "chouse" in early spring of next year.