St. Luke’s Lutheran Church Restoration, Thunderbolt, Georgia

The restoration of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church preserves its historic character while adapting it for modern use. Originally built in 1902 as the Union Church of Thunderbolt, the structure served multiple congregations before St. Luke’s acquired it in 1930. Over time, expansions altered its original design and historic character, including the removal of the steeple and entry porch. The current owners engaged Hansen Architects to convert the structure into a single-family residence and vacation rental while preserving the integrity of the original sanctuary.

Key restoration efforts focused on maintaining the church’s historic features while enhancing functionality. The wood bead-board walls, ceilings, and heart pine flooring were restored, and a new kitchen was integrated into the sanctuary. A non-historic stoop was replaced with a porch that reinstates the original Gothic-arched entry. Original window frames and sashes were restored with new glass replicating stained glass, while damaged wood siding was replaced in-kind and the brick foundation stabilized and repointed.

To accommodate modern living needs, a two-story rear addition houses four bedroom suites and a sitting room, maintaining a clear distinction between historic and new construction. The project followed the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Historic Preservation and earned federal and state Historic Preservation Tax Credits, demonstrating the viability of adaptive reuse for religious structures.

By adhering to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Historic Preservation, this project successfully balanced preservation with adaptation. Recognized for its excellence, the restoration was awarded federal and state Historic Preservation Tax Credits, demonstrating the potential for adaptive reuse of religious structures.

SPECIFICATIONS

Originally dedicated in 1902

Renovation completed in 2024