You could live in a Grade II-listed church conversion with a 100ft spire
If you’re looking to move and fancy living somewhere that little bit extra, how about a converted Victorian church with a 100ft spire?
Located in the village of Haywood in South Yorkshire, All Saints Church can be seen for miles around. Before it was turned into an amazing family home, it hosted a congregation of more than 100 worshippers.
Having been converted into a home in the 1990s, the property is now up for sale with a guide price of £600,000, marketed by Simon Blyth Estate Agents, Kirkburton via OnTheMarket.
The Grade II-listed property was bought by its current owners, Grady Holmes and his partner Arabella Rosevear-Holmes, 10 years ago.
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Giving the church, which was built in 1875, a complete upgrade, the couple managed to bring the unique property up to modern standards while still retaining its best period features.
From the installation of a bespoke oak door at the entrance to what was the vestibule, to the 2km of underfloor heating, no expense was spared in giving the unusual home the “wow” factor.
On the ground floor the house boasts a sun room, family room, play room (or third bedroom), bathroom, open-plan dining room/kitchen and a priest entrance – because who doesn’t need a priest entrance in their home?
The ground floor is also where you’ll find an ensuite bathroom and dressing room with a staircase up to bedroom one, which is on the first floor.
There is also a fancy upper gallery lounge area on the first floor, as well as a second bedroom with a spiral staircase rising to an office area in the bell tower.
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Outside there is a driveway providing off street parking for multiple vehicles.
The open plan dining/kitchen area features Insta-popular shaker style cupboard fronts and granite work surfaces.
Little reminders that this isn’t your average two up, two down, can be found via the stunning lancet windows and the vaulted ceiling containing exposed wooden tresses of the old church.
“The main object in doing all the work was to make it a nice cosy living space,” says Rosevear-Holmes, 44, who works in sales.
“It’s a good balance of new, modern living and the beautiful architecture that has been here since 1875.
“You can be as cosy as you want to but it’s also a great social space because it’s so open.”
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Though the original church bell may have gone, the bell tower is still accessible via a pitch pine ladder and the views of the South Yorkshire countryside are totally worth the climb.
After 10 years in the property the couple are looking to move on along with their young children, a girl aged seven and a boy of four.
“It’s been fantastic to live here and as soon as I walked in I loved it,” said construction project manager Grady, 46.
“It hadn’t been lived in for a while when we bought it and it did actually smell like a church.
“It’s taken a while to do up but it’s been a labour of love really.”
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The couple also bought the land to the north of the building from the church, which is now a large private garden with views across neighbouring fields and paddocks.
There is also a sun-trap patio, adjoining an actual graveyard, which still belongs to the church but which Grady maintains.
While church conversions are becoming increasingly common, Vikki Bennett, spokesperson for OnTheMarket, says this one really stands out.
“The vendors have done an amazing job turning an old classic into a modern masterpiece which retains the best of its original features,” she says.
“I’m sure the next owner will want to make their mark on the property and it will be fascinating to see how this lovely building continues to evolve.”
Luke Taylor, residential sales negotiator at Simon Blyth Estate Agents, Kirkburton, said: “All Saints Church is a great local landmark which is now a beautiful home.
“It’s a really friendly community here in this part of South Yorkshire and a lovely place to live.
“I know both the vendors work from home, and All Saints is a great house to do that from, but it’s also very well connected.
“You can get onto the A1, M18 or M62 really easily and Leeds, Doncaster and Sheffield are all accessible.
“It’s a house with great history and character and it will be fascinating to see who takes it on next.”
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