On the Market: Converted 1850s Schoolhouse Outside Doylestown
This gem of a historic conversion is a true landmark - it sits on the street named for it. It combines 19th-century style with 21st-century comfort.
![house for sale doylestown converted schoolhouse exterior front](https://cdn10.phillymag.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/04/house-for-sale-doylestown-converted-school-exterior-front-callaway-henderson.jpeg)
“Church’s School House,” 3157 Church School Road, Doylestown, Pa. 18902 | Photos via Callaway Henderson Sotheby’s International Realty
“‘Scuse me, I’m looking for the old Church’s School House?”
“Just hang a right on Church School Road. You’ll get to it eventually.”
And when you do, this is what you’ll see.
![house for sale doylestown converted schoolhouse front perspective](https://cdn10.phillymag.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/04/house-for-sale-doylestown-converted-schoolhouse-perspective-view-callaway-henderson.jpeg)
Perspective view, front
The owners of this historic circa 1857 house for sale in Buckingham Township took a 19th-century classic and turned it into a 21st-century gem by taking advantage of its pedigree.
American rural schoolhouses up to the early 20th century usually consisted of a single open room, or maybe two, with no interior hallways. That makes them very well suited for conversion to the popular open plan model, which this house follows in part.
![house for sale doylestown converted schoolhouse living room](https://cdn10.phillymag.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/04/house-for-sale-doylestown-converted-schoolhouse-family-room-callaway-henderson.jpeg)
Living room
The main entrance off the fieldstone front patio leads into a warm and spacious living room whose hearth fireplace contains a wood-burning stove. All of the original schoolhouse elements — wood beamed ceiling, wood fireplace mantle, random-width pine plank flooring — have been preserved and polished to a high gloss.
![house for sale doylestown converted schoolhouse family room](https://cdn10.phillymag.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/04/house-for-sale-doylestown-converted-schoolhouse-display-cabinet-dining-room-callaway-henderson.jpeg)
Family room
Behind the fireplace at the front of the house is the family room. Here you’ll find another of the original schoolhouse features: a built-in cabinet with glass-front display case doors above and storage space below.
![house for sale doylestown converted schoolhouse dining room](https://cdn10.phillymag.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/04/house-for-sale-doylestown-converted-schoolhouse-dining-room-callaway-henderson.jpeg)
Dining room
Behind it in back is the formal dining room, which also has a beamed ceiling and a handsome chandelier.
These three rooms make up the original schoolhouse. Two wings added later flank it on either side.
![house for sale doylestown converted schoolhouse kitchen](https://cdn10.phillymag.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/04/house-for-sale-doylestown-converted-schoolhouse-kitchen-callaway-henderson.jpeg)
Kitchen
The wing to the left of the main entrance, entered from the dining room, contains a modern open-plan everyday living area that combines a top-drawer kitchen, a casual dining area and a sitting area. The kitchen features professional-grade appliances, a farmhouse sink and cabinetry, and a tile floor with Mercer tile accents. A door leads from this wing to the attractive backyard.
![house for sale doylestown converted schoolhouse master bedroom](https://cdn10.phillymag.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/04/house-for-sale-doylestown-converted-schoolhouse-master-bedroom-callaway-henderson.jpeg)
Master bedroom
The wing to the left, off the living room, contains the first-floor master suite. Its bedroom gets plenty of light via two large windows, one of which looks out onto the serene koi pond in the side yard.
![house for sale doylestown converted schoolhouse master bathroom](https://cdn10.phillymag.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/04/house-for-sale-doylestown-converted-schoolhouse-master-bathroom-callaway-henderson.jpeg)
Master bathroom
![house for sale doylestown converted schoolhouse master bathroom vanities](https://cdn10.phillymag.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/04/house-for-sale-doylestown-converted-schoolhouse-master-bathroom-2-callaway-henderson.jpeg)
Master bathroom vanities
Its bathroom is a modern period piece, with a clawfoot tub, glass-enclosed shower and two painted Draper cabinets topped by custom sinks.
Upstairs you’ll find a second master bedroom, two more bedrooms and a hall bath.
![house for sale doylestown converted schoolhouse koi pond](https://cdn10.phillymag.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/04/house-for-sale-doylestown-converted-schoolhouse-koi-pond-callaway-henderson.jpeg)
Koi pond
![house for sale doylestown converted schoolhouse gazebo](https://cdn10.phillymag.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/04/house-for-sale-doylestown-converted-schoolhouse-gazebo-callaway-henderson.jpeg)
Gazebo
From the first-floor master suite you can also view and access this house’s lovely back and side yards. Here you’ll find another patio, a gazebo and a koi pond with waterfall.
All of this is fenced for privacy and surrounded by protected land. The property also includes a separate two-car garage with storage space in its attic.
Finally, this country charmer is also convenient to the urbane enclaves of Doylestown, a five-minute drive away in one direction, and New Hope, a 15-minute drive in the other.
THE FINE PRINT
BEDS: 4
BATHS: 2 full, 1 half
SQUARE FEET: 3,207
SALE PRICE: $749,000
3157 Church School Rd., Doylestown, Pa. 18902 [Cynthia Shoemaker-Zeller | Callaway Henderson Sotheby’s International Realty]