Fishers Island, NY—Lighthouse Works and St. John’s Church are pleased to announce the signing of a Letter of Intent for Lighthouse Works to purchase the historic Hansen House, located adjacent to the church’s sanctuary on Oriental Avenue. The agreement reflects a shared commitment to preserving the property’s legacy while addressing the Island’s critical need for year-round housing.
Built in 1879 by Christian Hansen, one of the island’s earliest settlers and the builder of St. John’s Church, the Hansen House is one of Fishers Island’s oldest and most prominent residences. The Church acquired the property from the Rogan family in 2012, intending to identify a long-term use to serve its mission and the broader Island community.
After exploring various options, the Church determined that Lighthouse Works was the only organization that presented a realizable funding plan to restore the Hansen house and intended to use it for year-round housing, which made it uniquely positioned to carry forward St. John’s intentions for the property. A nonprofit arts organization with a nearly 15-year presence on Fishers Island, Lighthouse Works has become an important cultural asset—connecting over 300 artists and writers to the Fishers Island community through its nationally recognized residency program. The organization maintains year-round operations with a dedicated full-time staff and intends to develop the Hansen House into permanent housing for two team members. This investment in on-island infrastructure supports both Lighthouse Works’ long-term sustainability and the broader need for year-round housing across the Island.
“We considered using the Hansen House as a rectory. But our current rectory on Peninsula Road is better suited for that purpose. We also developed plans to convert the Hansen House into a combination of meeting space and office space, with an upstairs apartment; but that was a large and costly project. Therefore, we decided to sell the Hansen House. But, because of the church’s history of supporting Island housing and the historical significance of the Hansen house, we chose to sell the property to an Island organization that needed year-round housing rather than sell it on the open market.,” said Mark Andrews, Junior Warden of St. John’s Church.
The LOI outlines a two-part agreement that enables the Church to retain control of the Shire, the small cottage immediately next to the church that houses the Church’s musical director. The structure of the agreement reflects the distinct long-term needs of each organization and ensures clarity around future ownership and stewardship. Both parties have retained legal counsel and are working collaboratively with the Southold Building and Planning Departments to guide the subdivision and approval process.
“This is a moment of alignment—not just between Lighthouse Works and St. John’s, but with the broader values of the Fishers Island community,” said Nate Malinowski, Executive Director of Lighthouse Works. “Year-round housing is a pressing need across the Island, and we believe every institution has a role to play. We are honored to contribute to the collective effort to make Fishers Island more sustainable, inclusive, and livable year-round. As one of several important housing initiatives underway, the transformation of the Hansen House represents a meaningful step toward a future where our staff can build lasting lives in this extraordinary place.”
The sale remains subject to diocesan approval and other state and local regulatory steps, including zoning and planning board review.
For more information, please contact:
Mark Andrews
Junior Warden, St. John’s Church
mark@savvydrinks.com
Nate Malinowski
Executive Director, Lighthouse Works
nate@lighthouseworks.us
