At the advanced age of 104, the barrel-vaulted barn at Olson Mansion has a new lease on life. After an extensive renovation, the barn is ready to fulfill its new purpose as a worship center for New Community Church.

“It’s not just a rehabilitation,” King County Landmark Commissioner Lynette Weber said, while touring the barn for the first time since construction. “It’s a work of art. It’s absolutely stunning.”

Built by Olof and Mathilde Olson in 1909, the barn’s unique barrel-vaulted shape helped earned it a place on the King County Landmarks registry in 1991.

“I was really humbled by the resources they had back in 1900 and how they possibly constructed this thing, when we have the technology of scissor lifts and power tools,” said project lead Curtis Lang, of Curtis Lang Custom Homes. “The structure itself I think says a lot about the farmer and his pride – in a good way. … I was taken aback by the integrity of the building when we walked in and looked at the barrel” before the renovation began, Lang said.

Church leaders and project planners worked with the King County Landmark Commission throughout the renovation process. The King County Historic Preservation Program and the Landmarks Commission are nationally recognized for their work to preserve historic barns.

Before the restoration, portions of the barn were in poor condition. After a recent visit to see the finished barn, King County Historic Preservation Officer Julie Koler said she was “blown away.”

“It’s an incredibly warm and embracing space; and the barrel vault feels like a cathedral ceiling – perfect for a community church with a barn-raising ethic.” Koler said. “I also appreciated how historic materials were integrated with contemporary materials – throughout the interior especially.  It is an amazing adaptive re-use project.”

A few highlights of the extensive renovation include:

• All the siding taken off on the outside was re-milled and cut to be used on the inside. “We didn’t waste old lumber,” Executive Pastor Bill Borland said.  “We really went to great lengths to use all of that material.” The hay loft/upstairs floor was taken out, except for a portion of the original floor joists, which were kept to show the location of the original loft. Two of the original windows were used on interior walls in the foyer area.  Some original wood was also used for the background behind the stage. All the major wood columns are original, and the stairs and side rails are all made from barn wood.
• The outside of the barn is new wood that was treated with a vinegar and steel wool solution to create an aged look. Inside, a combination of metal and wood was used, with each aspect being “antiqued” as best as possible.
• The barn’s barrel roof was insulated, original rafters were kept, and original barn wood was used to cover the inside of the barrel.
• Each of the barn doors weighs 600 pounds. During the construction process, planners were told about some heavy oak planks that were available from a resident in the area. After checking them out and deciding they would be great for the project, they discovered the wood had originally been found on the Olson property. It was brought back full circle and made into the barn doors.
• The original hay loft openings are now filled with glass to give the impression that the loft doors are lowered.

“This barn raising has been a galvanizing experience for the community and our church,” Pastor Ken Mitchell said.

New Community Church is inviting the public to its “Barn-raising” grand opening celebration on Sept. 22, with worship services at 8:30, 9:45 and 11:15, followed by lunch, a concert by a Johnny Cash tribute band, a chili feed, games and more.  In addition to holding church services in the barn, New Community is also making it available as a venue for, weddings, events and more.