213 Knoxville Rd Knoxville, MD 21758

This beautifully restored and converted church, affectionately known as the Appalachian Abbey and its adjacent Chapter House, are for sale in what is possibly the most beautifully unique home in Frederick County. The Abbey, a Frederick County Historic Landmark, was once the home of a Lutheran congregation that occupied the building until the 1970 s and subsequently converted into a single family dwelling in 2003, reimagining the choir loft as living space and adding a third floor to serve as a loft. The stone structure and six original stained glass windows were diligently preserved, and French doors were added to provide access to a large back deck with south-facing views overlooking the Potomac River valley. New exterior paint, gutters, water heater, insulation, A/C and furnace with smart thermostats were added in 2018. The shower in the master suite was recently updated as well. The 1848 cornerstone contains a time capsule with information on Weverton, the defunct village where the church was originally built. As indicated by a second, eastern cornerstone, the congregation moved to the current site in 1873 after Civil War soldiers occupied it during the 1862 Battle of South Mountain. Just a brisk walk along the Potomac River from the tourist attractions in Harpers Ferry, WV, the Abbey is a great place for hikers and pilgrims along the Appalachian Trail or bikers traveling the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath. The MARC commuter train to and from Washington, D.C. stops in nearby Brunswick, just two miles to the east, and historic Harpers Ferry, about five miles west. There is also a regional bus service with a stop right next to the Abbey s fenced side yard.