Photo by Jim Muchlinski Paul and Ruth Lanoue have established The Parsonage, a short-term lodging site on the 100 block of North Fifth Street in Marshall. It’s located within walking distance of four churches and a funeral home.

MARSHALL — A two-story brick house in downtown Marshall has a new lease on life thanks to Paul and Ruth Lanoue.

They purchased the home this summer and have converted it for short-term rental lodging. It is located on the 100 block of North 5th Street within a block of four Marshall churches; St. James Episcopal, Holy Redeemer Catholic, Christ United Presbyterian and Cornerstone Methodist.

They noticed the property was for sale in the past year while walking into church at Holy Redeemer. Their first offer made earlier in 2022 was rejected, but after careful consideration, they decided to come back with a stronger offer.

“We knew we’d have a lot of work to convert it for short-term lodging,” Paul said. “We wanted to work with a rental house, and saw potential in this one. It’s a perfect location. There’s a great potential with weddings and funerals.”

They closed on the house on Aug. 31. After renovations, they began to advertise for customers. After only a week they already have six bookings.

The house has been named The Parsonage in recognition of its history. It was built as a parsonage by the members of First English Lutheran Church, who worshipped next door at the corner of North 5th and West Lyon streets.

First English built a new church in Marshall’s Morningside Heights Addition in the early 1950s. Their downtown church was then sold to the Rehkamp family to be used as a funeral home, and the parsonage was sold to a private owner.

“There was no question that The Parsonage was the best name for it,” Paul said. “That’s the reason it was built. We want to restore it to its former glory.”

Ruth noted that the house was designed as a gathering place. The main floor has a large living room and a sizable formal dining area. The upstairs has four bedrooms and a full bathroom.

The upstairs rooms are all decorated based on a theme. They include a sheep room, a safari room, an outdoors room, and a floral decorating style in the largest room which could function as the room for a bride.

Extensive remodeling also took place in the kitchen. It includes open shelving where all dishes and kitchen utensils are visible. An antique wash sink was rescued from a tree grove and restored to function in a 21st century kitchen.

“The house looks like a small square box when it’s viewed from the street,” Ruth said. “Someone has to come inside to see its potential. It was built to have visitors. Our hope is that families will use it in ways similar to how it hosted members of the congregation.”

The former next door funeral home is now the location of Marshall’s American Legion Post. Current funeral home owner Quinn Horvath moved his Horvath Funeral Home into a new building across the street, on the site of Marshall’s former Lyon Street School.

The Parsonage is located within convenient walking distance of restaurants, Marshall’s six screen movie theater, the Lyon County Museum and retail stores.

“We care about the neighborhood because our church is part of it,” Paul said. “We decided to invest in it with something that could make a difference for people who need lodging.”

Horvath Funeral Home staff member Betsy Jo Kack said the Parsonage is likely to be helpful to many families who organize events at the funeral home and a Marshall church.

“We’re very happy to have it in the neighborhood,” Kack said. “It should definitely help to meet a need. I think families will find that it’s very convenient.” a