New life for an old church in Bridgewater.
The Old Baptist church on King street, along with two smaller buildings on the property have been approved to become high-end apartments.
Developer Craig Schrader says he wanted to preserve the structure which was built in 1920.
“I just like the look of old buildings,” he says. “The were going to tear it down. It’s kind of a shame to see it be gone.”
Schrader has already done some structural work, but was waiting for town approval before further construction could begin.
He plans to put 16 apartments in the main church building and another eight between the other two structures.
Schrader says he chose the property, in part, because of the size.
“When the loft gets put back in the space will be almost 18,000 square feet. So it’s pretty big. Most apartments will be around 1000 square feet.”
The town was initially concerned about the strain being put on its sewer system.
However, Schrader has agreed to help offset the cost of upgrading the system if the engineering department deems it necessary.
He hopes to have the new apartments ready by next summer.
Town of Bridgewater gives green light to transform 95-year-old church into residential apartments pic.twitter.com/gmj6HLQ9pG
— CKBW Radio (@ckbwradio) August 23, 2016
