Latest news with #churchconversion
News.com.au
17 hours ago
- General
- News.com.au
Hawthorn: 115-year-old church transformed into a family home
Transforming a former house of worship into a home can be challenging but the outcome spectacular. Melbourne-based Studio Doherty director Mardi Doherty spent about 18 months on a project to restore and convert a 1910s Hawthorn church for her clients, a family of five. And they're not the only ones as the converting religious hubs into homes has been growing in popularity as an increasing number of churches hit the market across Victoria. Ms Doherty said that a previous residential conversion, dating to the late 1990s or early 2000s, had left the space feeling 'dark, overly partitioned and lacked sensitivity to the building's original spirit'. 'There was a heritage overlay on the exterior of the building, so we approached the project with a strong focus on retention and respect,' she said. 'Key heritage elements like the timber trusses, parquetry flooring and original stained-glass windows were preserved and celebrated.' Ms Doherty said that her clients were deeply engaged in the design process and had an appreciation for the building's original character. 'They added some of their own layers too, like introducing personal religious artefacts, including a decorative crucifix in the outdoor bathroom that they had found and repurposed,' she said. A particularly special moment in the design process was the creation of an outdoor bath, located in a second-floor courtyard just off the main bedroom. 'The client had always loved the idea of bathing outdoors, but with a sense of enclosure and privacy,' Ms Doherty said. 'From this space, you can look up to the sky and across to the stained-glass windows and glass void below.' However, lighting the three-storey interior stairwell proved a complex feat. 'We commissioned a custom chandelier by Christopher Boots, designed to work with the scale of the space and complement the stained-glass windows,' Ms Doherty said. 'Installing it was no small task – it required full scaffolding, a careful choreography of hands, and a lot of patience to safely suspend the fitting across the full height of the void.' An important tip for house hunters keen to renovate a church is to keep thermal performance top of mind. 'Churches aren't built for modern standards of insulation, so you'll need to plan carefully around heating, cooling, and glazing,' Ms Doherty said. 'But if you're drawn to buildings with history and soul, there's something really powerful about repurposing a structure with a previous life. 'It requires sensitivity – but the results can be incredibly special.'
BBC News
13-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Buyer sought to convert Astwood church into a home
A buyer is being sought to "sensitively convert" a 12th Century former church into a Peter's Church, which has been in the village of Astwood in Buckinghamshire since at least 1154, closed in 2015 and has been listed for sale with a guide price of £250, agent Bidwells was asked by the Diocese of Oxford to find a buyer to convert the Grade II listed building into a single residential Alexander, a partner at Rural at Bidwells, said: "We are seeking a buyer that can sensitively modernise this one-of-a-kind property while respecting its medieval charm." St Peter's was restored after World War Two after it had suffered bomb building has remnants of its original 12th Century stonework as well as a 14th Century the west tower, there are three historic church bells dating back to the 15th and 17th Centuries as well as a turret clock from to its status as a Grade II listed building any conversion work must retain its wall and floor to Bidwells, planning permission was previously granted to turn the church into a three-bedroom home. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Plans to convert former church within a graveyard into offices
Plans to convert former church within a graveyard into offices A disused church building could be converted into offices. Plans have been submitted to change the use of the the former New Jerusalem Church, Stand Lane, Radcliffe. A church and adjoining graveyard has stood on the site for centuries and the current building was constructed in the 1970s. READ MORE: She was enjoying an afternoon with friends but soon doctors told them to say their goodbyes READ MORE: Update issued after reports made of attempted child abduction in Greater Manchester town A planning statement in support of the plans has been submitted by Cockwill & Co Ltd on behalf of the applicant, Hotspot Heating Ltd. ADVERTISEMENT It said: 'The applicant considers that the proposal is sustainable and acceptable and would not cause a detrimental impact on the neighbouring residential area or the strategic green space and would provide a contribution towards the office requirements and make good use of a previously empty building. Dozens of graves surround the church 'The configuration of the existing property is such that the business can operate under one roof. ' The application states the hours it will be used for general business will be between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday only.' The development provides for 10 parking spaces at the site and the supporting documents said there are planned to be eight full-time and two part-time staff working there if the plans are approved. The applications says there are no external structural alterations to the building planned. The use of the site for a church, including the Baptist New Jerusalem dates back to 1783. ADVERTISEMENT There are dozens of gravestones surrounding the church building, many of them dating from the 19th century. The website lists 67 memorials at the site. Planners in Bury will decide on the proposals in the coming weeks.
