Revamping God’s home into your own: Holy home in the UK

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The idea of living in a church is both beautiful and disconcerting at the same time, but that has in no way stopped these fabulous folk in UK to turn God’s adobe into a cozy little place that is their home. The owners bought the church for £92,000 and then went on to spend a whooping £300,000 on renovations to give it the shape and look that it currently sports. The vast interiors, sweeping spaces, stained glass and the Gothic theme really floor you. Despite the decorating falling short of all the grandeur that surrounds it, you cannot but marvel at this bold experiment. With the dead still resting in your backyard, this is one exceptional home indeed! No? – via

Church Turned Home

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Published by Alex Ion 01 Jul 2009 in Architecture

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30 Responses to “Revamping God’s home into your own: Holy home in the UK”

1
Tony Chavira Says:
July 1st, 2009 at 5:18 pm
Honestly Alex, this is my dream home. I’ve been talking about this for years and it’s great to see a awesome example of a re-used church on here!
2
Minister Paul Says:
July 2nd, 2009 at 6:49 am
Those who sold the church and those who sleep now in it will burn in hell.
This is sacrilege.
People have no more respect for God.
3
Sahra Says:
July 2nd, 2009 at 7:05 am
Horrible. I can’t imagine a more wrong-headedly pretentious draughty waste of an otherwise perfectly good space. Churches are designed to be churches, which is not to say that a renovation would always fail; but that you have to be willing to do something exceptional and bold to make the space work. That certainly hasn’t happened here – the homeowners have made the fatal decision of “honouring” the building and changing very little of the internal space, to its great detriment as a functioning home. To put some oaky staircases and tasteless home furnishings in (for ₤300,000?! They was robbed) and call it a work of architecture reborn is a sad indictment of the state of architecture and interior design in Britain.
4
Dan Says:
July 2nd, 2009 at 7:24 am
This is genius!
5
Chayne Says:
July 2nd, 2009 at 3:37 pm
Not so crazy about the graveyard in my garden
6
Mindminder Says:
July 2nd, 2009 at 3:40 pm
I find nothing wrong with this, what a great use of space. If anything this place should have lots of great energy. Don’t worry about the hell thing because there no such thing
It’s 2009 not 1009, the bible and church will some day be known as history, and people will
find it amazing that anybody even worship one god. Beautiful house!!
7
Jon 3:14 Says:
July 2nd, 2009 at 3:45 pm
People lets think about this for one second:

Which is worst, a Church being demolished and the property sold to a developer who turns the space into a mini-mall

or

taking a historic structure and allowing its beauty to continue to be an example of the period and what that congregations love for religion built…

I think the answer is a simple one…
8
mr b0z0 Says:
July 2nd, 2009 at 4:10 pm
well I absolutely love this house! Its so beautiful….sacrilege aside…
9
Sam Says:
July 2nd, 2009 at 4:13 pm
“this is one exceptional home indeed! No?” Indeed, No.

A lot of work and money has obviously gone into this project. But really, having money does not mean you have taste. I have thought about how interesting it would be to renovate a church. Very intriguing idea. It would be a challenge but a fun one for sure. But, this is a fail in my eyes. Sorry, but my sentiments are with Sahra. I have seen photo studies of two excellent church renovations. They were superb. Both took advantage of the unique characteristics of such an unusual choice building. This reno leave a lot to be desired. Where was the money spent? I would love to see some before and after pictures. Then maybe the money can be justified. But Oak stairs!? Aaack!
Just my unhumble opinion.
10
Sam Says:
July 2nd, 2009 at 5:23 pm
I love it when religious people such as Minister Paul show malice and hand down damnation.
Judge not… and so on.

On Topic: Beautiful home with an interesting concept. I think the placement of the master bedroom would make romantic encounters a little weird.
11
Sara Says:
July 2nd, 2009 at 5:42 pm
Seriously Minister Paul!?!? What kind of minister are you? Don’t you know
that God dwells within us and not in buildings. If you are Jewish then I understand
but if you are Christian then I pray you are not giving spiritual advice to others.
12
Betty Says:
July 2nd, 2009 at 5:51 pm
Burn in hell? How Christian of you to say…anyway back to the real world.
Instead of this space being wasted and its beauty taken by wrecking ball just to
build other things, keeping it intact and making it into a home is wonderful.
If someone is so blinded by their whacked-out religious views not to see that,
then I have nothing but pity for them and their self-righteous limited views.
13
JP Says:
July 2nd, 2009 at 7:04 pm
Sacrilege? I hardly think that is fair.
Where two or more are gathered, in His presence, there shall He be.
If anything this is a step closer to God and not further.
Besides, a Church is comprised of people, not structures.
Also, that anyone was disrespectful is contentious.
Although, I did notice some from a third party, come to think of it…
You call yourself a minister? Show some respect to your faith then.
Capitalise the ‘C’ in ‘Church’ and cease the unfounded slander.
Be tolerant and forgiving, not bitter and antagonistic.
As we all should try to be, amen.
14
hail Says:
July 2nd, 2009 at 7:28 pm
Since The Church is the entity that owns the building and property around a church, then you basically just condemned The Church to burn in hell. You aren’t God so you are in no position to say who will burn in hell, get over your self. Appreciate the fact that someone bought it instead of tearing it down.
(they were robbed if they put 300,000 into it)
15
VanceRomance Says:
July 2nd, 2009 at 7:34 pm
It’s a wonderful conversion for something that would likely have
been destroyed to make way for some shopping center. I would have chosen
a different place for the bed than on the space where the altar rested.
Sleeping there would make me feel ‘awkward’. Having some sort of mini
altar or memorial to the church would have been my choice. But other than
that, a tasteful use of such a place. Thank you for the post.
16
Atheist Andy Says:
July 2nd, 2009 at 8:15 pm
<>

Um, no they won’t. And how can you respect something that isn’t real?

Frankly until I saw these pictures I was lamenting what a waste of space the b
billions of churches in the world are, now I see there is hope for recycling
them into something useful.

Cheers
17
God Says:
July 2nd, 2009 at 8:17 pm
“Minister Paul, I cast you into the depths of Hell!!” You too, Sarah.
18
Marit Says:
July 2nd, 2009 at 8:33 pm
I think it’s a great idea to re-use a church like this. It’s beautifully decorated. I would wanna live there! And to respond to the comment of “burning in hell” by Minister Paul, I don’t think that you’ll go to hell for this.. I mean, they didn’t mean harm by this..
19
Michelle Says:
July 2nd, 2009 at 8:52 pm
Evil homeowners! I bet they don’t even believe in Santa Claus!
Personally, I wouldn’t want the stink of church on me. I’d have to convert it into an industrial music club.
20
Bishop Tumley Says:
July 2nd, 2009 at 9:21 pm
True all, it should be either a little boys home or torn down. There are many priests available who could run such a place.
21
priest Says:
July 2nd, 2009 at 9:23 pm
the building is good but i suggest to remove to old church furnishing like
the stained glass or any items for the church it really offensive to others
22
Sahra Says:
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:11 pm
Did this get linked on a Christian fanatics website? Because the off-topicness of the comments here are amazing. Yes of course it’s a good idea to repurpose buildings such as churches. Where have you guys been? Have we not seen warehouses, factories, office buildings, OTHER CHURCHES, boats, mills and plenty of other buildings repurposed over the last 50 years? How is it relevant to (@Marit) to comment on the validity of the idea as if it had never been done before? And what planet are you on when you think that the only likely alternative to converting the building (And that’s all it is, Jesus freaks. God is everywhere right? That’s Chritianity 101 for you. You’re welcome.) is to have it dozed for a mini-mall? Are you nuts? Are you living in a country with no monumental architecture? Even so, people everywhere usually understand age and gravitas. This isn’t a mock princess castle at Disneyland made from styrofoam and sprayed with Real Stone Texture In A Can. So to summarise, please make smarter comments. The end.

PS @priest – hiding all my candles and incense away in case I offend christians who cleary have a right to view these holy items in church only.
23
justsayin' Says:
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:17 pm
in order to sell a church building such as this, i’m sure the premises have have to be, uh, meybe “desanctified” is the word i’m looking for. thus, it is no longer a church, as it is no longer possessed by the Church. thus, no sacrilage (though i don’t believe in such concepts). wouldn’t you say?
24
Theresa Says:
July 3rd, 2009 at 1:55 am
I can’t even begin to describe how frustrated I get by narrow minded people.
To Minister Paul; you are human, and even as a man of God you have no right to
condemn people to hell, particularly when the owners clearly did not mean harm,
rather, they most likely wanted to preserve a beautiful space. If you truly
want to spread the word of God, spread His love, not damnation.
To those who have expressed doubt in God’s existence, is there really any need
to be so openly disdainful of those who do believe? Churches are never a waste
of space, and you should respect the beliefs of those different than yourselves.
It shows a sad narrow-mindedness and immaturity to speak so cruelly of others
simply for being spiritual.
As to the home, I agree with Bishop Tumley, but the furniture is sad.
25
Elton Houe Says:
July 3rd, 2009 at 6:20 am
So how can they f**** where a few years ago sacramental service took place?

It is clear that they do not have respect for those things.

I do not think that they have this house because they are poor and no other place where to stay.

I think this is some pervert ideea like those who sleep in a cemetery.
26
Michelle Says:
July 3rd, 2009 at 7:04 pm
The only sacrilege here is the hideous furnishing.
27
Krampus Says:
July 3rd, 2009 at 7:13 pm
I’d like to see it turned into a gay sex club.
This way it could serve both Atheists and Priests.
28
Theresa Says:
July 4th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Krampus, I think that is possibly one of the most stereotypical, unnecessary,
and cruel things I’ve ever heard. How dare you be so mean to people who have
never done anything to you. Don’t you have any respect for clergy? If not as
religious, then as people. I mean honestly, Catholic Priests have a bad rep,
but it is entirely untrue. They aren’t any more guilty than other religious
in other churches, and the vast majority of them are good, holy men. Keep your
hate to yourself.
29
Qkac Says:
July 6th, 2009 at 8:47 am
Living in a cemetery, it’s an interesting idea, don’t it?
30
Elisa Says:
July 6th, 2009 at 3:53 pm
Lets we inmagine,that this building is a mosque. I ask: how many ours can to
live the owner of mosque,who makes such fuction-changing on the building?