The timeless beauty of a century-old church nestled in the small town of Pearl River provides a lesson in turn-of-the-century architectural prowess. Built in 1904 by community volunteers, it served Catholics in the village of Guthrie. In 1920, the church was moved a half-mile to its current location in Pearl River on Highway 11 South without the convenience of modern machinery; it was placed on logs and geared by the strength of twelve oxen.

After its retirement as a church in 1958, the building offered the town a venue for charitable events until it was abandoned in the late 1970s. Nature took its toll, leaving it easy prey to the homeless population. Abused by interior campfires and rain damage, the building was near death.

In December 1995, Radim and Lisa Kolarsky, two people brought together from opposite ends of the world, began the process of bringing new life to the former Saints Peter and Paul Church. They finished their labor of love in just eight months, in September 1996.

Radim defected from Czechoslovakia in 1986, when the country was well entrenched in communism. "I played cello in school," says Radim, "and then ended up in West Germany in a refugee camp." After completing his education in the states, he moved to New Orleans in 1992, began working with Texaco and met Lisa.

Lisa, originally from Metairie, worked with Texaco for more than 20 years before she met Radim. She had bought the church and land from the Archdiocese of New Orleans in 1991, believing that the building and her furniture would be a good match-and the price was right.

This unique couple exchanged their vows on a mountaintop on a Navajo Indian Reservation. Lisa is now a real estate agent and Radim a private contractor working in Africa for Shell. Their international intrigue and romantic charisma permeate the home's decor.

The Kolarskys acted as general contractors in remodeling the church, hiring a wealth of talent. The exterior is a solid build of cypress siding boards and framing. The interior walls are tongue-and-groove pine bead board, and the original hard pine floors are still in place. Despite the years of neglect, the structure was in remarkably good condition and required replacing only 30 boards and an interior beam. "There were never any termites, even after it was abandoned," says Radim.

Sweat and brawn had built this church without the luxury of electricity or power tools. "All the windows were exactly the same dimensions; the engineers couldn't believe it," says Radim. Working with the equivalent of a three-story hollow building, the first stages of the interior construction brought an upstairs loft and a bedroom on each of the three floors. A wooden stairway connects the first floor to the second, while a wrought iron spiral staircase brings you to the third floor. Once the major renovations were complete, it was time to upgrade the century-old landmark that was affectionately labeled the "Old Green Church."

The Kolarskys celebrate the old with the new in filling their home with antique furnishings and the comforts of modern conveniences. "I designed the house plans around the furniture," says Lisa. The collage of American antiques join company with a Jacuzzi, five telephone lines, computer cables, speaker "Monster" cables and a digital satellite system. The kitchen, Radim's domain, is equipped with state-of-the-art kitchen conveniences, including a computer-controlled electric convection oven.

The home is framed with a white picket fence delicately covered with pink roses. The emerald-green exterior is accented by white cathedral windows and black shutters. Burgundy-colored, double-arched doors form the entranceway; the bell tower is adorned with a white cross, complete with chimes. The interior conveys a freedom of space with a soothing emerald green bathing the walls throughout the first floor and the loft. African masks and Prague photographs dot the hallways, whispering tales from foreign lands.

Upon entering the foyer, you are greeted with a row of antique theater seats neatly welded together. A magnificent antique piano, complete with curios, is featured in the formal dining area. Highlighted above the living room fireplace is Jean Feak-Fahey's Greek tragedy painting "Eurydice," which the Kolarskys affectionately call their guardian angel. A set of authentic altar chairs with arched cathedral backs are scattered throughout the house. The kitchen, with almond-colored counter tops and custom-designed gothic wrought iron bar stools, opens up to the living area.

As you climb to the second floor, you're introduced to the most intriguing room of the house. The master bedroom is designed in a New Orleans bordello motif in deep burgundy, with a sheer swath of lace weaving its way through the wrought iron headboard. "It was my Christmas present," says Radim.

Living in a church-home can bring some eccentric visitors. As a result, the Kolarskys must keep their door locked at all times. Lisa says that people just walk in, thinking it is a church. One man stopped and asked for directions, calling Radim "Father." "People think I'm a priest," he says.

Although there are no formal tours, there may be a centennial birthday celebration in June. The Kolarskys hope to invite some of their favorite artists, including Frederick Guess and Jean Feak-Fahey, for an art opening/centennial anniversary extravaganza.

Everyone is drawn to this haven; it holds a piece of history and provides an anchor for the community and the families that live here. The residents of Pearl River look to the Kolarskys as caregivers, returning the spirit that thrived in this church so many years ago.

Copyright 2004-2006, M&L Publishing, all rights reserved.

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