Our Favourite Church Inspired Properties On The Market Right Now

By Isabel Dempsey

3 weeks ago

These are certainly some heavenly homes

This post may contain affiliate links. Learn more

Our Favourite Church Inspired Properties On The Market Right Now

Once upon a time, church was the cornerstone of British life. The recurring slot in your Sunday morning calendar, where you would go to seek peace and community, the institution you would consult during times of hardship. But as less and less of us head on over to our parish church for a weekly Sunday service, the grand old buildings once used to worship on high have been transformed into family homes. From former churches and abbeys to rectories and vicarages, here’s our favourite churches and church-inspired properties for sale right now.

Greystead Old Church

This Grade II listed Georgian church in Northumberland National Park was transformed into a heavenly home in 2013. Long before its heritage-led restoration, this neo-Gothic property had been originally designed by Henry Hake Seward, a student of the renowned Sir John Soane. Many of the church’s original features have been preserved, including exposed Georgian stonework and panelling, lancet windows, stone archways, and the magnificent Victorian stained-glass window in the sitting room designed in the style of Pre-Raphaelite painter Edward Burne-Jones.

greystead old church

ADVERTISEMENT

Ad

The Old Vicarage, Kent

Though recently renovated, many of the key period details of this historic property remains including the high ceilings, sash windows with shutters, ornate cornicing and original stone fireplaces. Built in 1826, the home’s layout features multiple reception rooms, a study and office, a cellar with wine storage, and six to seven bedrooms, including a luxurious principal suite and a self-contained guest area. Outside, the 6.46 acres of grounds were designed by Chelsea Flower Show gold medallist Roger Platt. On the market for £2.95m.

the old vicarage

ADVERTISEMENT

Ad

The Old Rectory, Dorset

Set within 11 acres in the heart of the Piddle Valley, this home in Alton Pancras, Dorset is positioned close to the famous Cerne Abbey and, one of the world’s most iconic chalk figures, the Cerne Abbas Giant. Though constructed in 1846, this Grade II listed home has a distinctly Regency style, reflected in its balanced proportions, symmetrical stucco façade, sash windows and hipped slate roof. Originally built for the parish reverend, the home served as the village’s vicarage until 1941. One of its most notable residents was Sir Michael Cavenagh Gillett, a British diplomat who worked across China and Los Angeles. On the market for £2.25m.

the old rectory

Church House, Steeple Ashton, Wiltshire

Attached to the former Rectory, this Grade II listed country home has been sympathetically refurbished to combine period elegance with modern ease. Beyond its Bath stone façade and tiled roof, many historic features remain, including high ceilings, a period fireplace, original shutters and tall sash windows with garden views. On the market for £1.25m.

church house

ADVERTISEMENT

Ad

The Old Rectory, Beccles, Suffolk

Located on one of the most historic streets in Beccles, this beautifully refurbished Grade II listed Georgian house, is distinguished by its symmetrical red-brick façade and elegant Doric-columned entrance. Behind the classical frontage of the refurbished home lies lofty reception rooms, flagstone floors, heritage windows, marble fireplaces, a hand-built Tom Howley kitchen, original shutters, eight bedrooms with river views, and walled gardens with a canopied terrace. On the market for £1.8m.

Beccles, Suffolk

The Manor, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire

Dating back to the early 18th century, this Grade II listed ironstone home stands on the site of an Augustinian Priory. Over the years it’s served as the home of Sir Erasmus Fontaine and, in the late 1800s, Tory MP and social reformer Sir Francis Burdett. Though sensitively restored over the years, many memories of its historic past remain, including Fontaine’s crest which still sits proudly above the front door and a sundial marked 1729. On the market for £1.75m.

The Manor, Kirby Bellars, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire,

ADVERTISEMENT

Ad

1174 Potter Mountain Road, New York, USA

This early 19th century Greek Revival Church has been reimagined into a stunning residence. Set among 37 acres of rolling fields, woods and trails at the foothills of the Catskill Mountains, it’s the perfect place to get lost in nature, while only two hours away from NYC. Inside, the home boasts a library, a 600+ bottle wine room, open chef’s kitchen, a home office, media room, and wet bar. On the market for $2.995m.

New York church home

Lower End, Leafield, Oxfordshire

Designed by Sir George Gilbert-Scott, this Grade II listed former vicarage is nestled in the heart of the Cotswolds. Built in 1851, the home still retains many of its original features including 19th century stone fireplaces, decorative wooden door frames, restored stone mullion windows and flagstone floors. Its claim to fame? The house starred in popular TV series Jonathan Creek and a Channel 4 music video. On the market for £2.35m.

leafield house

ADVERTISEMENT

Ad

St Paul’s Church, Denholme, West Yorkshire

When the current owners bought this home in 2017, it was nothing more than a deteriorating old church on the market for a mere £85,000. Splashing out £420,000 on conversions over a period of six years – including adding back in the rotted-away roof – it’s now been transformed into a £1.5m four-bed family home. Originally built in 1846, this Grade II listed property possesses rare heights of drama. Once the church’s nave, the main hall now offers open-plan living complete with soaring gothic arches and double-height windows, while the former chancel has been reimagined as a relaxed seating area. Outside, the remains of the original aisle have been reimaged as an open-air courtyard complete with gothic columns. Complete with vaulted ceilings and a bell tower ripe for conversion, this is one heavenly home. On the market for £995,000.

st Pauls church high res

Tintinhull Court, Yeovil, Somerset

This Grade I village house was originally built as a medieval parsonage for the Church of St Margaret until it ceased to function in 1592. Remodelled in 1678, 1777 and 1927, Tintinhull Court boasts flagstone and oak flooring, ornate wall panelling dating to the 17th century, elegant cornicing, separate summer and winter drawing rooms, indulgent window seats and historic fireplaces. Our favourite feature? The library (and its 14th century wooden carved ceiling) is found in a hidden hall with its own circular staircase. On the market for £1.895m

Tintinhull Court

ADVERTISEMENT

Ad

Merlin Way, Mickleover, Derbyshire

This converted Grade II listed church has been reborn as a contemporary five-bedroom home. Alongside its more traditional features – including original stained glass windows, baptism font, Victorian orangery and steeple – this Derbyshire home is complete with a glass walkway, bell tower bar, and mezzanine cinema room which peers out from the balcony on a floating glass floor. On the market for £1.25m.

merlin way converted church

Hailsham Grange, Hailsham, East Sussex

Built in 1709 as a vicarage for the neighbouring church, this Grade II* listed Queen Anne house is located in the quiet East Sussex countryside. Despite its seven-bedrooms, plus music room, conservatory, drawing room, snug, cellar, conservatory and gym, the stand-out feature is the perfectly manicured gardens and flower beds. On the market for £1.495m.

Hailsham Grange

ADVERTISEMENT

Ad

Brooklands Road, Weybridge, Surrey

Dating back to the 1860s, this house forms the central part of a Victorian mansion. Complete with original sash windows, period floor tiles and detailing cornicing, don’t be perturbed if any neighbours come walking through the front door on a Sunday morning – it does look remarkably like it could be the local church. On the market for £1.425m.

converted church

Long Sutton, Langport, Somerset

One of the most important houses in the village of Long Sutton, Historic England dates this Grade II* listed manor house all the way back to the late 15th century. Ruled over by the adjacent church tower, key features include the mullion stone windows, original fireplaces and 16th century decorative stained glass window. Beyond the six bedrooms there is a converted coach house and granary, as well as potential access to a quaint little pony paddock. On the market for £1.75m.

long sutton home

ADVERTISEMENT

Ad

Wolfs Row, Oxted, Surrey

This apartment in the roof of a converted chapel is complete with stained glass windows and high wood-beamed ceilings. Complete with a mezzanine gym and study, plus a galleried reception area, wake up to the morning light streaming through the circular church window. On the market for £1.9m.

converted church apartment

Oakridge Lynch, Stroud, Gloucestershire

A former 19th-century Methodist chapel, this historic property has been transformed into a five-bedroom home nestled in the charming village of Oakridge Lynch. Key features include the strikingly high ceilings, a Vestry turned kitchen, and sunken floor living room, as well as the old gallery accessed by a winding staircase, and 18th century school room turning living space. On the market for £850,000.

oakridge home

ADVERTISEMENT

Ad

Maudlen Grange, Maulden, Bedfordshire

Another former rectory, this late 17th/early 18th century Grade II listed property has been transformed into a historic family home. Gothic details and jacuzzi spa baths aside, the stand-out feature of this home are the over 14 acres of landscaped gardens thought to have been modelled by Capability Brown. Head outside to explore the summerhouse, rose beds, willow tree, orchard and woodland. On the market for £2.95m.

maudlen grange

Read More