Churches are hot commodity on the market right now. Picture: LJ Hooker
IMAGINE living in an old sandstone church in the quaint Southern Highlands countryside of New South Wales. Graveyard included.
A historic sandstone church built in 1882 is on the market in Kangaloon, about two hours south of Sydney or 20 minutes east of Bowral.
The historic church was built in 1882 but is up for sale for the first time due to a decline in its congregation. Picture: LJ HookerSource:Supplied
The Uniting Church of Australia is selling the old church, which held its last service in May, due to a decline in its congregation.
The price guide is set at $680,000 — $740,000 with selling agent Paul Bakker of LJ Hooker telling news.com.au that there has already been “heaps of interest” from buyers who either want to convert it into a home or gallery to preserve its history.
Built from locally sourced sandstone, the church also features high ceilings and arch windows. Picture: LJ HookerSource:Supplied
The first sandstone bricks laid in the late nineteenth century were sourced from local farms in the area. The oldest tombstone in the 14-stone graveyard beside the church is dated 1886.
The stone building also features high ceilings, exposed timber beams, arch windows, colonial lines and sits on approximately one acre of land.
Development Entitlement is subject to Council Approval, however, Mr Bakker said the church could be converted into a two-bedroom home, or potentially a three or four-bedroom home if a mezzanine floor is built.
He estimates the new owners will have to spend approximately $300,000 on converting the historic site.
The church also includes a 14-stone graveyard, the oldest being from 1886. Picture: LJ HookerSource:Supplied
Churches are a hot commodity in Australia’s property market at the moment. Last month, a church in Klemzig, South Australia, built more than 80 years ago, sold for $1.186m.
Another church in Prospect, South Australia, sold for $550,000 in September. The church was originally built in 1936 but was transformed into a three-bedroom, two-bathroom house in 1991.
St John’s church in Woolwich, the only surviving church building in the exclusive Sydney suburb, is also on the market right now. Listed by the Anglican Diocese of Sydney, it is open to expressions of interest in the high $2 millions.