RUMFORD – Scot and Cindy Grassette have been working for nearly five years to transform the former Methodist Church on Franklin Street into a combination reception hall and performance space.

When done, it will be known as 49 Franklin.

“When we bought it, we agreed we wouldn’t set an opening date, we’d just plug along,” said Scot, an electrician at NewPage when he isn’t renovating the more than 10,000 square feet of space in the former church.

Now, after thousands of hours to the work, they believe they can open the unique facility next year. Friends and family, as well as friends of their children, have helped out when needed, and occasionally, professionals have been brought in to do things such as install new heating and sprinkling systems.

The church, built in 1894, closed almost 20 years ago, and stood empty until the Grassettes decided to buy it. Fifteen months ago, they and their two teenage children moved into the second floor, former classrooms.

“We thought, wouldn’t it be nice if we bought a church, like many people thought. But we did it,” Scot said.

Living in a former church doesn’t strike Cindy as strange at all.

“It feels like I’ve always lived here. We worked here everyday before we moved in and we know every nook and cranny,” she said.

Scot likes the feel, too.

“When I walk out of here in the morning and see the stained glass windows, I feel like I’m living in a mansion,” he said.

The couple bought the adjacent building last year, then had the former rooming house/apartment building taken down. Now, between that lot and the backyard, there will be parking for 35 vehicles.

The church has space for a multitude of events, the grandest in what was once the church’s sanctuary. The gold and multicolored stained glass windows serve as a backdrop for what will become a place for wedding receptions, anniversary parties, and other events requiring space for up to 150 people. Next to that space is the area the couple believe will be used most frequently. The church’s former dining hall will become a lobby for the complex, as well as a buffet room and space for business meetings and showers. It will include a pool table and fireplace and accommodate up to 75 people.

Catering for large or small gatherings will be provided from the commercial kitchen now under construction.

Cindy said when complete, several people will be hired as waitresses, prep cooks and perhaps a doorman.

Upstairs, the church’s former theater hall will remain a place for performances. The stage is still intact and may serve as a space for comedians. There’s the possibility of creating a comedy club-type atmosphere with food and drinks. The couple is also planning to offer space for musicians to hold jam sessions, and Scot, as a professional magician and adviser to the local chapter of the Society of Young Magicians, wants to see the stage used for magic acts and perhaps as the site of a mini-convention for magicians.

Now that the backyard is cleared, a gazebo is planned to provide another site for weddings.

The couple also provides DJ services around the area, and Cindy is the majorette adviser at Mountain Valley High School.

“This will be as close to a one stop shop as possible,” Scot said.

With the opening still about a year away, the couple receives at least one phone call a week asking about use of the facility.