By Heather Lusk
After undergoing new exterior paint and a new roof, the Sanctuary on Main Street will open Dec. 10 for a moving sale of Nancy Noel’s art and serve as an open house to potential buyers of the building listed at $1.65 million.
“I think having the exterior renovated is going to make a big difference,” realtor Tammy Keller said. “It’s so beautiful. I think people saw the exterior and assumed the interior was not as completely renovated as it is.”
The 10,800-square-foot Sanctuary was built in 1894 and served as the Methodist Episcopal Church. The building served as a church for more than a century and was most recently a gallery for Zionsville-based artist Nancy Noel.
Noel renovated the interior in 2008 after purchasing it. In 2013 the lower level and first-floor kitchen underwent a major renovation. The kitchen equipment, cafe furniture and a three-way liquor license are all included with the property.
Noel said the popularity of the event space was a big reason she decided to sell the building to focus on painting.
“The only reason I’m selling the Sanctuary is my life became about the Sanctuary and the events there instead of my art,” she said.
The Sanctuary will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with many new works, along with discounted existing inventory. Noel will be on site to meet art lovers and sign pieces.
“It’s kind of the sale of a lifetime if you want one of my pieces,” said Noel, who concedes that this might be the last time she’s able to sell her artwork in the Sanctuary. “We should make good use of the space while we’re here.”
