NORTH CREEK — Five years ago, Jennifer Zimmerman bought the former North Creek United Methodist Church for $152,000.
Now, she’s gearing up for her second season operating a vintage and antique gift store out of the 19th-century structure, located at 243 Main St.
Zimmerman’s business called kirche, which means church in German, opened last May in the 140-year-old downtown building complete with its original 12-foot stained glass windows. After being closed throughout the winter, the eclectic shopping destination has officially reopened in the southern Adirondacks hamlet of North Creek.
“I brought kirche to North Creek as a way of bringing the community together through showcasing the iconic church that was an important part of North Creek’s history, and offering an ever-changing array of art, home decor and gifts that are eclectic, fun and sustainable,” Zimmerman said.
As part of its grand reopening for the season, Zimmerman unveiled its new state-of-the-art carillon, a bell-ringing system played from the tower. While the historic church’s original carillon couldn’t be restored, the business owner was able to purchase a new, electronic system thanks to a grant from the town of Johnsburg.
The new technology will play musical bells three times a day, as well as Christmas carols during the holiday season in the quaint Warren County community. “It is so amazing when the snow comes down on Main Street and you’re hearing a Christmas carol from the church. When everything is a blanket of quiet and the bells ring, it’s so beautiful and I am so blessed that I get to provide that to the community,” Zimmerman said.
In 2018, when Zimmerman first toured the for-sale historic structure, she said she felt an immediate connection to the space.
“It was pretty much an impulse purchase. You buy shoes, I buy a church,” she…
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