A historic church in California is entering a new chapter as a stunning residence, having undergone a graceful transformation that breathed new life into the structure—while paying careful attention to its former lives as a religious building and an iconic recording studio that played host to multiple music legends over the years.
The property in San Anselmo, CA, was built in the early 1900s as a quaint Presbyterian church that was later expanded to accommodate its growing congregation. For six decades, it remained a house of worship until 1966, when it was transformed into “one of Marin County’s most storied recording studios.”
Between the 1960s and the 1980s, the studio would play host to a wide variety of legendary musicians who flocked to the space to take advantage of its exceptional acoustics. Artists such as Van Morrison, Boz Scaggs, Jefferson Starship, and Huey Lewis were all known to have recorded live performances in the space.
The property even boasts a rare connection to The Beatles, who are said to have used a lower-level bedroom to store their instruments when they traveled to San Francisco for their final performance.
However, when that musical heyday came to an end, the church was ready to once again turn the page—this time with a little help from its current owners, who purchased the structure for $995,000 in 2014 and set about turning it into a private residence.
“In 1908, it was a Presbyterian church and then shortly thereafter, it was expanded to the current footprint,” said listing agent Chris DeNike of Sotheby’s International Realty – San Francisco Brokerage.
“When the sellers bought the home, they transformed the studio with living quarters into this once-in-a-lifetime masterful space.”
Though it now features a very different aesthetic, the “architecturally sensitive” conversion took great care to retain the building’s historic integrity, highlighting its more impressive design details, including an emphasis on the soaring ceilings that helped to create those sensational acoustics.
Found throughout the 4,553-square-foot industrial-chic interior of the main residence are 22-foot vaulted ceilings, exposed steel beams, and stained concrete floors.
“When you walk in through the front door, you are greeted with these 22-foot-high ceilings that give it a wow factor,” DeNike said. “You feel like you are in a contemporary, but it’s so hip that it could be a loft in the city. It takes the senses to another level.”
A steel-reinforced, glass-encased staircase leads up to an additional open-concept living area.
“Upstairs, there is another room with 22-foot ceilings and disappearing walls that lead to a patio and enhance the indoor/outdoor flow,” he noted.
The modern kitchen overlooking the living area with gas fireplace boasts sleek custom cabinetry and opens up to a spacious terrace for entertaining and relaxing.
“Everywhere you turn there are thoughtful architectural elements that really suit the space,” DeNike said.
The lavish primary suite features vaulted ceilings, a sitting room, spa-inspired bathroom with soaking tub, and direct patio access.
“Another bedroom has a custom-made bed, so you walk up four steps and there is custom cabinetry underneath,” he added.
But the church is not the only structure on the property; in addition to the main residence, the sale also includes the old rectory, a detached two-bedroom guest cottage that boasts its own very impressive history—as the birthplace of the mountain bike.
According to local lore, the property was briefly home to famed biking enthusiasts Charlie Kelly and Gary Fisher, who are said to have invented the modern mountain bike while they were residing in the rectory and working with the bands using the recording studio.
“When Gary Fisher and Charlie Kelly were youngsters, they worked for the bands and were avid bicyclists,” DeNike said.
“They bought parts for bicycles all over the country and it became the birthplace of the mountain bike. Gary Fisher has his own brand of bicycles and Charlie Kelly wrote a book called ‘Fat Tire Flyer.'”
The property will have a full-circle moment on May 23, when Kelly returns to hold a book signing for his newly published tome.
Looking further ahead, DeNike says the historic building could serve multiple purposes—including as an income-generating opportunity.
“I think [the church] will likely be used as a primary residence and there is also income potential with the two-bedroom cottage,” he noted.
“We have had young families look at it, along with empty nesters who are looking for a home that is move-in ready, turnkey, and not the standard cookie-cutter residence. This location is also equidistant to Fairfax and San Anselmo, which are both thriving communities with cafes, restaurants, and shopping. You can easily hop on a bike and get to either town easily, so it’s really special.”
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