Home Buying

R.I. church-turned-home hits the market for $1.67m. See inside.

Property just blocks from the town beach comes with four bedrooms, three baths, and beautiful woodwork.

The church-turned-single-family home at 101 Caswell St. in Narragansett, R.I., sits on a 0.18-acre lot three blocks from the beach. Michael David Commercial Photography

By Megan Johnson

June 13, 2024

The bell may be gone, but the tower still reigns supreme at 101 Caswell St. in Narragansett. R.I.

Located in the Pier neighborhood, the home was built in 1899 as First Baptist Church. Now it’s a four-bed, three-bath single-family property listed at $1,675,000.

Tucked behind a fence, a driveway leads up to the 3,679-square-foot home. A flat, grassy front yard with a fountain and lush gardens guides you to the front entry, which is located under the historic bell tower. Inside, the open-concept first floor combines historic architecture with modern living.

“Once you walk in, you enter the great hall where they used to have church,” said Karen Giarrusso with the Steven Miller Group at Coldwell Banker Realty, who has the listing. Steven Miller is the team leader.

Cathedral ceilings tower overhead, while the original hardwood floors and stained glass windows are beautiful reminders of the building’s past. The 412-square-foot family room and 215-square-foot dining area seamlessly flow together and lead into a 242-square-foot living room space filled with handcrafted woodwork. An oversized stone gas fireplace, constructed around 2000 by a member of the Narragansett Tribe, provides a contrast to the crystal chandeliers.

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Behind the built-in entertainment center, you’ll find the semicircular kitchen, filled with vintage-inspired appliances and wooden cabinetry. There’s also an attached 54-square-foot dining area, perfect for enjoying a morning coffee. Expandable wood doors original to the home can be reattached to close the room off from the rest of the house.

You’ll also find the primary suite on the first floor. It measures 166 square feet, but it has its own 159-square-foot sitting area under sunny windows. The attached bathroom features a soaking tub and light gray tiling. There are also two additional bedrooms and a full bathroom on the first level.

A handmade staircase leads to the second floor, which features a bonus room ideal for a home office or yoga space.

The finished lower level offers a second kitchen and dining area, as well as a sitting area, bedroom, and full bathroom. There is also a wine cellar.

Outside, a 745-square-foot deck offers plenty of space for enjoying the coastal environment, both covered and not. A row of high bushes ensures privacy.

While the home is unique, it’s the prime location that will likely reel in a buyer.

“You’re three blocks from the beach,” Giarrusso said. “That’s what’s great about this house— this location.”