Family lists beautiful renovation of a heritage church in Dunedin after 10 years

Leigh Overton and Ruth Manning fell in love with the former 19th-century Mornington Presbyterian Church in Dunedin when it hit the market 10 years ago.

And they say it was an “impulse” that made them leave their comfortable villa and embark on an ambitious building conversion to create a family home: “It was love at first sight. Within a week of seeing the church it was ours,” Manning. she said later.

The couple graciously allowed the congregation to continue holding services at the deconsecrated church after they became owners, until a new church building was completed.

Now, all these years later, the family is shrinking, they have another project in their sights. Overton says it’s a small 95-square-foot mid-century semi-curved house dating from 1955. “It will be a little easier to work in that small space.”

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And so they have listed their one-of-a-kind property, which has a Historic Place Category 2, with Chris Taylor of Nidd Realty.

Unlike many church conversions, this project preserved the entire Gothic character of the church, which was designed in 1880 by renowned Dunedin architect Robert Arthur Lawson. He also designed Larnach Castle, the First Church, the Dunedin Municipal Houses, the Otago Boys High School, and numerous banks; He is credited with being the architect who contributed the most to Dunedin’s Victorian architectural heritage.

Overton says the plan was always to maintain the “essence of the church,” which is 424 square meters. “We didn’t want to cut any windows or do anything to close the space (permanently). While we wanted to be able to close parts of the interior at times, we also wanted to be able to open everything.

“Everything was already there: the patterns, the shapes, the pillars and the curly rosettes. We continue with the whole crucifix theme (the church even has a cruciform shape). “

The project took the couple three and a half years to complete the restoration of the massive brick building. They had to install plumbing, which did not exist in the old church; facilities had been provided in the adjacent corridor.

“There was no toilet, no kitchen, not even running water,” says Overton. “It was just a big empty space. The entire building was also rewired. “

Friend Richard Leckie did all of the artisanal woodwork needed to transform the church into a home. Overton says that when he first entered the church, he sat on a bench for several hours, just to feel the space. His passion is evident in the end result.

The old church now has six bedrooms, three at each end of the vast living space, with bathrooms at both ends.

Even the kitchen is in keeping with the character: Leckie crafted the cabinets for the old kauri church pews.

Other special features include large Gothic arched doors, original stained glass windows, freestanding wood stoves, and a small kitchen at the opposite end of the church from the kitchen.

Overton says the couple has advertised on Airnb and vacation home websites, as the home is well configured to accommodate paying guests.

The house, which the owners call The Olde Kirk, can be purchased fully furnished if desired.

The property has a closing date for sale, closing on September 16, 2020.