Seeing an abandoned church from the 18th century is very interesting as well as getting familiar with the history that belongs to this amazing structure. While most of us would want to take a look at it, we wouldn’t really think of making it our home, right?
Well, a couple fell in love with an 18th-century old abandoned church and decided to buy it but they didn’t turn it into a museum. Instead, what they had in mind was far more amazing!
The gorgeous St. Nicholas Church that can be found in Kyloe, Northumberland is an impressive Grade II listed Georgian building. This beautiful structure was constructed of dressed stone and had amazing features that should be treasured such as the stained-glass windows and the remarkable west tower.
Ian Bottomley and his partner, Sally Onions knew that this structure was destined to be restored.
“We were bowled over by the setting,” says Ian. “Sally and I had been looking for our first home together and liked the idea of doing up an old vicarage. Converting an old church seemed even better,”
as he continued explaining how their plan began.
Indeed, this plan was overwhelming, exciting, and not to mention ambitious! You have to have vision and passion to be able to pull this plan off and that’s what Ian and his partner have in common. Since Ian has a background in computer graphics, he was able to create a 3D model of the abandoned St. Nicholas Church, which in turn made it easier to present.
Planning, modeling, getting permits, and financing this plan took a while but it was all worth it.
“We devised a layout which gives us the best of both worlds,”
says Ian as he explains the designs that they chose.
“An impressive, open-plan entertaining space, and smaller, cozier rooms for everyday use. We’ve effectively built a small three-story house to contain three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a lounge, kitchen, and utility room, using structural steelwork inside one end of the church,”
he added as he remembers the idea that he had for this masterpiece.
Indeed, this idea required patience and vision. For 6 years, Ian and Sally worked hard to convert this abandoned church to become their forever home. They made sure that the “soul” of the church was still there and they worked around what they can to make sure that it becomes a cozy home.
“Taking on this conversion has been a real labour of love,”
says Ian as he remembers the years they spent working on this amazing transformation.
“It has totally changed our outlook and the way we live. In fact, now we can’t even visit another church without wondering where we would put the bedrooms!”
as he continued, smiling and proud of their work of art!
To modernize and restore an old abandoned church into a majestic, comfortable, and contemporary home isn’t just a grand project. It was a vision, a goal, and a dream to accomplish with love, patience, and respect for this amazing structure.
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