A former country church in rural Iowa is offering buyers a rare chance to own a piece of small-town history, complete with a bell tower and pulpit—all for just $225,000.
The 2,000-square-foot structure at 394 Prost Ave. in the small, unincorporated community of Rubio was built in 1906 as the Rubio Friends Church. At the time, Rubio was a fledgling railroad town with a depot and a modest but active population.
Today, the two-bedroom, two-bath property stands as an updated church-to-home conversion that most recently served as both a private residence and a recording studio.
Listed in August, with a price reduction in November, it blends old-world character with modern mechanical upgrades—making it one of the more affordable and distinctive conversions on the market.
“Rubio Friends Church sold the property to a woman named Nancy Doehrmann in 2005,” says listing agent Melissa Westphal with Home Girl Realty. “She converted it into an artist retreat for herself. She also painted it and did a lot of gardening around the property.”
This creative spirit has only become more pronounced. The current owner has used the building as both his home and a recording studio, turning the former sanctuary into a music-making space that took full advantage of the open layout and natural acoustics.
Inside, the building’s origins are unmistakable: hardwood floors, oversized windows, the bell tower, and even the original pulpit anchor the space in its ecclesiastical past.
“The home was built as a church and definitely retains some of the character and feel,” Westphal says.
Rather than remove those elements, successive owners leaned into them.
“As a recording studio, the pulpit was the location of the drums,” Westphal notes. For a future homeowner, she adds, “it would make a lovely spot for a dining table and chairs.”
A loft area added by Doehrmann overlooks the main living space, adding both square footage and architectural interest. There’s also access to the bell tower, now converted into a cozy room with entry to the second level of the newly installed deck.
The result is a home that feels both open and intimate—ideal for a creative retreat, writer’s hideaway, or design-forward primary residence.
While the aesthetics celebrate the building’s 1906 roots, much of the infrastructure has been modernized, particularly in recent years.
A previous owner installed a metal roof, updated the septic system, and built a two-level deck overlooking the surrounding acreage.
The current owner continued the improvements in 2022 and 2023, replacing the HVAC system and finishing out the lower level, which had previously been open.
“He added rooms to the previously open lower level—one conforming bedroom, one nonconforming bedroom that was used as part of the recording studio, and a laundry room,” says Westphal.
A shower was added to the main-floor bath, along with a new vanity and an upflow toilet system in the lower-level bathroom. Gravel parking and a storage shed were also added, and all appliances will be included in the sale.
“The property sits on an acre of woods and faces rolling cornfields,” Westphal says.
The rural setting provides privacy and quiet, while still offering access to nearby amenities. The home shares a ZIP code with the neighboring town of Richland and is about an hour’s drive from Iowa City.
“It’s located just minutes from Lake Darling State Park, which features boating, camping, swimming, cabins to rent, hiking, fishing, and more,” Westphal explains. “If you are looking for a unique retreat or to invest in a unique AirBnb property, this would be perfect,” Westphal says.
