A Former Church in Chelsea, Dutchess County

  |  September 9, 2025

Chelsea is a charming little hamlet near the Hudson River in the town of Wappinger, Dutchess County. Today, Upstater is visiting a former church in this cute little spot.

It’s a mid-1800s Gothic Revival-style church, to be exact. There’s no mistaking that this is a former church—something the new owners need to consider if they’re thinking of renovating the exterior. We love the arched windows and cupola, though.

This foyer is just breathtaking, although the floor could use some love.

The more reverent among us can bemoan the fact that a house of worship has been decommissioned; however, that could be balanced out by the fact that the building may be reimagined and not torn down. The 1,500-square-foot, main-floor former sanctuary is cavernous, with a ceiling that’s more than 20 feet tall and beautifully worn floors. The leaded-glass windows have a pink glow.

That barrel ceiling and the exposed rafters are an architect’s dream.

The woodwork deserves to be repurposed, too.

A balcony overlooks the main room: Given our druthers (and the wherewithal to fund it), we’d consider trying to add a second floor that reaches at least halfway across the former sanctuary.

The 900-square-foot lower level is a blank slate with a concrete floor and painted cinderblock walls.

The listing says there’s a kitchen and a half-bath down here, too.

The vacant lot adjacent to the building is part of the sale, making the property a total of about a third of an acre.

It’s about a block from the Hudson River and the Chelsea Yacht Club. Plus, it’s a mile and a half from Route 9D, to access all the shopping and restaurants of Wappingers Falls and its environs. The list price is $350,000.

If this former church in Chelsea is your dream come true, find out more about 9 Liberty Street, Chelsea, from Ronald Green, licensed associate real estate broker with Keller Williams MidHudson.

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