Former Sanborn Church Transformed Into Affordable Housing

Sanborn Housing & Development converts shuttered St. Cecilia's Catholic Church into 10-unit apartment complex

Mar. 12, 2026 at 12:00am

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A former Catholic church in Sanborn, Iowa that closed in 2025 is being renovated by Sanborn Housing & Development (SHD) into a 10-unit affordable apartment complex. The $30,000 purchase of the St. Cecilia's Church building is part of SHD's efforts to address the community's housing needs, with the project expected to wrap up later this year.

Why it matters

The conversion of the former church into residential units helps fill a need for affordable housing in Sanborn and the surrounding area, as identified by SHD. The project also gives new life to a historic building that had been vacant for over a year since the final mass was held at St. Cecilia's in February 2025.

The details

SHD is transforming the former church into 10 studio apartments, with six units on the main floor and four on the second floor accessible by an elevator. Each unit will have its own HVAC system, laundry facilities, and kitchen appliances. The previous social hall will remain available for community gatherings, and a new parking lot is being constructed. While the exterior brick will be preserved, the windows are being replaced with more energy-efficient models.

  • The final mass at St. Cecilia's Catholic Church was held on February 16, 2025.
  • SHD purchased the church building on June 30, 2025 for $30,000.
  • Renovation work is expected to be completed later this year.

The players

Sanborn Housing & Development (SHD)

A local real estate development company that has been investing in the Sanborn community for over 10 years through custom home construction and rental properties.

John M. Vander Haag

The owner of Sanborn Housing & Development, who has deep roots in the Sanborn community and believes the project will help fill a need for affordable housing.

St. Cecilia's Catholic Church

The former Catholic church in Sanborn that closed in 2025 and was subsequently sold to Sanborn Housing & Development for $30,000.

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What they’re saying

“Having deep roots in the community and local business ownership, we recognize the constant need for housing and the support that it provides to the community when people live here.”

— John M. Vander Haag, Owner, Sanborn Housing & Development

“We have been encouraged by the support from our community as we make changes to a building that has been such an important part of Sanborn for so many years. We are hopeful for the many lives it will continue to impact in its new purpose.”

— John M. Vander Haag, Owner, Sanborn Housing & Development

What’s next

The renovation work at the former St. Cecilia's Catholic Church is expected to be completed later this year, at which point the 10 new affordable studio apartments will be available for tenants.

The takeaway

This project demonstrates how a vacant historic building can be repurposed to address a community's housing needs, breathing new life into a structure that had been central to Sanborn for decades. The collaboration between the developer and local officials has been key to the smooth progress of the conversion.