Sanctuary

STORY: CLAUDIA FERRARO | PHOTOGRAPHY: SANDY MACKAY

Featured in Grey & Bruce Counties - Holiday/Winter 2025/26

From hymnals to home staging: Julie Brown transforms a historic Meaford church into a warm, inviting space filled with light and character.

The front doors of Julie Brown’s house don’t just lead into her home – they lead into history. Behind the towering wood doors of a former 19th-century church outside of Meaford is a place where she now lives, designs and finds inspiration. “It just felt like me,” she says. “The charm, the history – and I knew I would enjoy putting my own vintage spin on it.”

That spin has transformed the former Bethesda United Church into a one-of-a-kind residence where soaring ceilings, rustic antiques and thoughtful modern touches live side by side.

Julie’s instinct for design isn’t just personal – it’s also professional. As the owner of Flair Style Co., a home staging business, she spends her days creating spaces that feel warm and inviting.

“Every project is unique, but I thrive on the challenge of balancing design with real-life needs,” she says. Her home is a testament to this skill.

The church’s history stretches back more than 160 years. The original chapel opened in the early 1860s and served the community for 25 years before being rebuilt in 1889 – the structure Julie now calls home. After more than 75 years of worship, the congregation closed its doors in 1969, and the building passed into private hands. By the time Julie arrived in 2015, it had already lived several lives. “November 2025 will mark 10 years that I’ve been here,” she reflects. “I feel like I’m one of very few who can say they’ve lived here and really enjoyed its uniqueness and character.”

The church had been converted into a residence by previous owners. “I didn’t have to do a whole lot when moving in, which was nice,” Julie says. Instead, her priority was to preserve as much of the character as possible. She removed the altar to open the main living space but avoided major renovations. “I didn’t want to come in and modernize it,” she says. “It’s a unique building, and I’ve always loved heritage homes, so I wanted to keep that spirit.”

The results are striking. The great room features 20-foot ceilings and tall windows that pour light onto a mix of rustic and Victorian-inspired furnishings. At the centre of it all, a settee by a large window creates a quiet perch – one of Julie’s favourite spots. She found the piece, along with much of the artwork throughout the home, at House Rules Design Shop in Hanover, where designer Heather Smillie also helped with initial space planning and colour selections. Together, they chose Benjamin Moore’s Lace Handkerchief for the walls – a soft, timeless backdrop that lets the church’s woodwork shine.

The open-concept kitchen, living and dining areas flow together beneath exposed beams that add a sense of grandeur without pretention. Light plays an important role here. The lancet windows, their pointed arches faithfully replicating the church’s originals, flood the interior with brightness. Despite the building’s solid brick walls and strong wood detailing, the effect is anything but dark or drab – the space feels airy, sunlit and inviting.

Elsewhere, the front entrance remains unchanged from its church days, anchored by the double wood doors that once welcomed parishioners. Their craftsmanship lends an unmistakable presence, creating an entryway that feels both historic and timeless. A vintage pew sits in the vestibule, modernized with patterned pillows and soft throws.

The coach light fixtures also remain in place, mounted along the main walls beside an antique photograph of the church that Julie had printed and framed. “It’s an ode to the past, but it also fits with my personal style – antique and casual,” she says.

Julie’s style blends rustic and Victorian influences with casual comfort. She often shops the Thornbury Antique Market and local thrift shops for treasures that slip seamlessly into the space. “I love antiques,” she says. “You have to be able to envision them in your own space. Sometimes I’ll try out staging pieces here before using them elsewhere.”

The loft, added after the church closed, holds Julie’s bedroom. Perched high above the great room, this space takes advantage of the church’s soaring roofline, with angled ceilings that lend both drama and intimacy. While the main floor celebrates the church’s scale, this hideaway feels more personal – a compact nest, maximized with a seating area and softened with textiles.

Outside, Julie has put her stamp on the exterior. She reclad the eaves, fascia and soffits in black to contrast with the red brick. Mature trees frame the property, offering shade and privacy, while perennial gardens add bursts of colour. A flagstone patio with seating and a barbecue creates a relaxed, modern entertaining area. The result is a seamless blend of heritage and homestead. “It’s about honouring the building while making it mine,” Julie says. “People still gather here, except now it’s my family and friends.”

For a busy entrepreneur who jokes that her car is her “second home,” creating a house that feels like a haven was essential. This church has become her sanctuary – a place where history and design harmonize. As her 10th anniversary in the space approaches, Julie remains grateful. “I was drawn to it for the location, but more than that, it just felt right,” she says. “I hope I can continue to enjoy it as long as I can. It’s a place with a soul.” OH