Demolition once loomed for a decaying religious landmark in St. Petersburg after attempts to transform it into a unique event space failed in February due to concerns over parking and noise.
However, an undeterred husband-and-wife duo will soon open the nearly century-old Euclid Methodist Church’s doors to the public for the first time since 2005. The institution, also known as the Euclid Mansion, will host an indoor farmer’s market July 27.
What was once dubbed The Treehouse is now the Treehouse Sanctuary, and the building will eventually host multi-faith services. However, Noam Krasniansky and his wife, Irene, must first raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to continue repairing the neglected church.
“People in St. Pete are really moved by the fact that we’re not doing condos; it’s not getting demolished,” Krasniansky said. “We are doing everything possible to save it, and they are rooting for us.”
The church opened in 1926 at 919 10th Ave. N. and received historic designation in 2004. It has remained vacant since 2005.
The Krasnianskys moved to the area in early 2023 and “fell in love with the building.” They sold their Los Angeles home to purchase the church for $1.1 million later that year, despite its condition.
While the structure’s red-brick exterior needed mostly minor repairs, the interior required extensive renovations. Hurricanes Helene and Milton exacerbated those issues.
Krasniansky sank over $300,000 into the church while awaiting the city’s approval for an ambitious adaptive reuse project – The Treehouse. The couple envisioned the facility hosting up to 184 people for weddings and special events.
The Kranianskys pivoted from plans for an event venue with suites for overnight guests after the council disapproved of the project in a 4-4 vote. However, the Treehouse Sanctuary, now a registered nonprofit, can host smaller functions and weddings without any zoning restrictions.
“We lost millions of dollars worth of funding to fix and repair the building,” Krasniansky said. “So, now we’re bootstrapping it.”
The couple began organizing outdoor farmers’ markets earlier this year to raise funding for repairs. While the events are free, donations are welcome.
Krasniansky said roughly 450 people attended the previous markets. He expects 44 vendors selling organic vegetables and fruit, freshly baked bread, art, crafts and “all kinds of things” to participate in the first indoor event.
Electrical installation delays caused the couple to postpone an indoor vintage and thrift market scheduled for this Saturday until August. However, Krasniansky pledged that the sanctuary would host weekly, air-conditioned events through September, without the potential for rain-outs.
“When we did the outside farmer’s market, we weren’t ready for people to come inside,” he said. “We still had fresh wounds, and it wasn’t really ready.”
Krasniansky noted that previous attendees often clamored for a peek. He would sometimes acquiesce, and said the building, neighborhood and couple now need people to enjoy the century-old sanctuary for the first time in two decades.
The couple realized that the markets “brought the community together.” Irene Krasniansky said that “tons of neighbors love the idea.”
“The ones who were against it have been completely crickets,” she added. “We haven’t heard anything from them. I think they just wanted to run us off, and now that we haven’t run off, they don’t know what else to do.”
Significant hurdles remain. Noam said they need $100,000 for “immediate things,” including a new roof and windows.
However, Irene noted they can apply for grants as a nonprofit, and several neighbors have volunteered their labor. Churches are also exempt from paying property taxes, and “we can do what we wanted to, anyway.”
The Treehouse Sanctuary will host its first wedding in September. “There are so many positive parts about it,” Irene said of the evolving plans.
The Krasnianskys have founded multiple startups and appeared on TV’s Shark Tank. They now plan to launch a line of cinnamon rolls, dubbed Holy Buns.
Noam said church members can purchase Holy Buns, with proceeds going toward repairs. The couple will only produce a limited quantity of the religion-themed, scratch-baked treats with names like the “Hallaliday.”
“We don’t give up,” Noam said. “We’ve made more friends in less time than in all of our lives, combined. It’s really amazing.”
He noted that the church opened on Thanksgiving Day in 1926. The couple hopes to have a grand opening celebration on its 100th birthday.
For more information on the Treehouse Sanctuary, visit the website here.
This content provided in partnership with StPeteCatalyst.com
