In 1973, Hank Gilpin’s woodworking teacher at Rhode Island School of Design, Tage Frid, tipped him off that a Baptist church just north of Providence was about to go on sale. When Gilpin saw the lower-level space where Sunday school, church suppers, and shuffleboard matches were held-a single room 30 ft. by 50 ft. with a 10-ft. ceiling and no obstructions-he thought it would be perfect for a shop. Forty-one years and thousands of pieces of custom furniture later, he still thinks so. He turned the main part of the church into living quarters for his family. In the shop, beyond adding a window, some lights, improved electrical service, and a woodstove, there was virtually nothing to be done but get to work building furniture.

Launch Gallery