DIY Wooden Churches from Scrap Wood for Christmas

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DIY Wooden Churches from Scrap Wood for Christmas

Hello, sweet friend! These DIY wooden churches are proof that a few old fence pickets deserve a second chance. With some simple cuts, glue, and paint, you can turn scrap wood into rustic Christmas decor with a snow-kissed finish. I made mine six years ago, and they’re still going strong! That’s more than I can say for some of the decorations I’ve bought. Let me show you how to make your own little churches to enjoy at Christmas and all winter long.

October 2026 update: I made these wooden churches six years ago, and they’re still going strong! I’m giving this post a little refresh because good scrap wood projects deserve another Christmas in the spotlight.

This post contains a few affiliate links to help you find the products I use. You are not charged extra to use any of the links, but any income I make will be used for more amazing DIY projects to share with you! To see my full disclaimer, click here!

How to Cut the Wood for Your Wooden Churches

I used weathered fence pickets for these wooden churches, but you can use scrap boards you already have. Follow the cutting layout below as a guide, adjusting the size to suit your wood. Changing the angle of the center board gives each church a different steeple height—a little variety makes them look especially cute together!

Wooden church cutting layout with a 14-inch center board marked for 45-degree cuts, two 10-inch angled side boards, and a 10-inch base.

Supplies for DIY Wooden Churches

Sanding and Assembling The Wooden Churches

Sand your cut boards to smooth rough edges and remove splinters, especially if you’re using weathered fence pickets. Arrange the three upright pieces on the base without glue first, making sure the bottoms line up and everything fits. Once you’re happy with the placement, apply wood glue where the pieces meet and secure them with small nails or a pin nailer. Let the glue dry according to the manufacturer’s directions before painting.

Unpainted reclaimed wood church with a tall steeple on a workbench beside an electric sander and cut wood pieces.

Lay the boards on a flat surface and apply wood glue where they join. Either side can be the front—both look cute! Wood glue is all you need, but I added pin nails to hold everything in place while it dried because patience isn’t my strongest crafting skill. Allow the glue to dry according to the manufacturer’s directions before moving on.

Reclaimed wood boards arranged flat in a church shape, with a raised center steeple and two shorter angled side pieces.

Using a pneumatic nailer to secure reclaimed wood boards together while assembling a DIY wooden church.

Securing The Wooden Base To The Churches

Apply a small bead of wood glue along the bottom edge of the assembled wooden church, then center it on the baseboard. You can also add a few pin nails to hold it in place while the glue dries if you’re impatient like me. 🙂 Let the glue dry according to the manufacturer’s directions before handling.

Wood glue applied along the bottom edges of a reclaimed wood church before attaching it to a wooden baseboard.

Painting and Distressing the Wooden Churches

I made two wooden churches, but one (centerboard) had a greater angle for a higher steeple. That one had to be cut with my circular saw instead of my chop saw. I decided that I only wanted to paint one of the churches. I used chalk mineral paint for this church and dry-brushed it over the wood, not giving it full coverage. I wanted to leave just enough wood showing to give it that rustic look.

Unpainted reclaimed wood church standing on a rectangular wooden base, with a second church in the background on a paint-splattered workbench.

I left one church natural and painted the other with Coffee Bean chalk mineral paint for a dark base. Let the paint dry before sanding or adding the lighter finish.

Applying dark Coffee Bean chalk mineral paint to a reclaimed wood church with a paintbrush, beside an open jar of Dixie Belle paint.

Once the paint was dry, I lightly sanded the edges and raised areas to reveal some of the wood underneath and give the church a weathered, rustic look.

Hand-sanding a dark-painted wooden church with a medium-grit sanding pad to reveal the wood along the edges for a distressed finish.

Adding a Snow-Kissed Finish to the Wooden Churches

Now for the snowy finish! In a disposable bowl, mix a little Sea Spray texture additive into Butter Cream chalk mineral paint until you have a thick, spreadable texture. Start with a small amount and add more as needed.

Use a palette knife to lightly scrape the mixture over the wood, concentrating on the steeple peaks and roof edges where snow would naturally collect. Leave some of the dark paint and weathered wood showing through. We’re going for a little Texas wishful thinking, not a full-blown blizzard! Let the textured paint dry completely.

Painting the Church Doors

Those arched doors are painted on—no cutting required! I used an artist brush and light chalk mineral paint for the door shapes, then added dark shading around the edges to give them the appearance of depth. You can paint doors on either side of your wooden churches, so they look cute from the front or back.

Mixing Sea Spray texture additive with cream-colored paint in a disposable bowl beside wooden churches with painted arched doors.

I left my wooden churches unsealed, and six years later, they’re still holding up beautifully! For indoor seasonal decor, that has worked well for me. If you plan to display yours outdoors, choose glue, paint, and a protective finish rated for exterior use, and follow their application directions.

Displaying Your Wooden Churches for Christmas and Winter

Snow-kissed Wooden Churches... easy DIY craft project.

Even the back of this DIY wooden church is cute. It's a two sided craft project!

Easy DIY rustic wooden churches with a snow-kissed winter vibe. A fun craft for anyone that loves a good DIY reclaimed wood project.

This AI-assisted styling image shows how my wooden church design could look as a trio on a festive Christmas mantel.

Three rustic wooden churches on a Christmas mantel, with a tall distressed white church in front of two black churches, surrounded by evergreen garland, pinecones, and warm string lights.

Save 📌 this idea to your Christmas Pinterest board—those wood scraps aren’t going to turn themselves into churches, but a little divine inspiration never hurts! 🙂

Rustic wooden church with white painted arched doors and snowy edges, surrounded by cedar greenery and Christmas lights. Text reads “DIY Wooden Churches—Scrap Wood Christmas Decor.”

And just like that, those old fence pickets have a new purpose! Display your wooden churches on a mantel, shelf, or entry table with a little greenery for Christmas, then let them stay out through winter. Leave off the snowy finish if you’d like to enjoy them all year.

Would you paint yours or let that weathered wood shine? Tell me in the comments—I’d love to hear what you’re planning for your scrap pile!

Until the next project… xo, Do

More DIY Christmas Decor Ideas

Still have wood scraps left? Well, we can’t let those go to waste! Here are a few more Christmas projects to keep your glue gun warm and your scrap pile feeling useful.

Three DIY wood shim Christmas trees of varying heights with textured white and gold finishes displayed on a rustic wooden table with evergreen branches and pinecones.
  • Pinecone Gnomes – Gather a few pinecones and give them a Christmas makeover with fluffy beards and noses that mean business!
Three pinecone gnomes with faux fur beards, wooden noses, and cream pom-poms displayed on a weathered wood mantel with evergreen sprigs and warm Christmas lights.
  • Wood Block Gnomes – Put those leftover 2×4 scraps to work making bearded little shelf sitters with plenty of personality.
Wood Block Christmas Gnomes

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38 Comments

  3. You are the most craftiest person ever! I love these! I’m so glad I joined your blog! I look forward to all your future craft endevors!

    Reply

    1. Hi Lyndsay, It’s paint! I used the black and blended it with the white to give it the appearance of depth. I guess I did good. 🙌 You can totally do it. 🙂

  6. I’ll be making these, as soon as I can find some weathered fence wood! So cute, and a quick easy project! 💖

    Reply

  8. Sooo beautiful Donna! I have this project! Im done first with the wood work, and time to paint! Thank you for your inspiration 🙌🏼

    Reply

  9. This is the first time I’ve ever actually seen you create a project and omg I am in love! I just got the email for the stenciled board and ended up finding this as well. I really thought you just painted furniture and that was it but wow you never cease to amaze me Donna…your projects are wonderful! I can’t wait to explore more to see what else you have in store for me…lol!
    Happy Thanksgiving to all!

    Reply

    1. Thank you, Shirley! While I enjoy painting furniture, I also LOVE creating budget-friendly crafts and home decor. I’ll be sending you more. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones. 🙂 xo

  11. Oh wow!! I just found your site and I want to hang out with you so bad!! That smile and your great ideas. Thanks so much and I am sure you will hear from me soon 😀

    Reply

  12. OOOhhhh I am so excited and happy to have found your site! LOVE these churches and going to try and make some, they are adorable! The hubs and I made one today, out of scrap wood we had. Having trouble finding the fence boards you used, but hoping to find some soon. You are such a fun and happy person, love listening to you. Will send you a photo of our “first” of many I hope. Thank you and have a wonderful day….

    Reply

    1. Hey Judy!

      I’m so happy you found me. Those churches are my FAV! Please subscribe to my weekly newsletter if you would like to be notified of a new project. In the meantime, you can browse all my blogs to find more creative ideas for your home. I can’t wait to see your churches! 🙂 xo

    1. Hi Sharon,
      Fence pickets come in different sizes. These were a little over 3 inches. I don’t think it matters the size. Have fun creating these little churches. 🙂

  15. love the little churches. do you just paint the back side too to look like 1 door, and the 3 doors are on the other side? just free handed paint I am guessing.
    thanks for the cuteness.

    blessings
    Barb

    Reply

  16. Just made 8 churches and 16 wooden starts from wood harvested from grandpa’s house before they tore the house down. The churches were so easy. Can’t wait to give them character with paint.

    Reply

    1. You just made my day, Karen! I have a lot of wood, doors, and old windows I saved before my Grandparent’ home was torn down. I can’t think of anything better than to create beauty from the memories. Have a blessed day. 🙂 xo

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