Divine pairing: Converted church and schoolhouse listed side-by-side

Once the wedding chapel for the parents of one of Australia’s most creative families, this old church has been stunningly renovated, with the original schoolhouse next door also for sale.

Built around 1860, the historic Wesleyan church at 18A Barkly Street, Ballarat East has been beautifully revamped into a modern home, while retaining original features such as soaring ceilings, Baltic pine floors and stained glass windows, which bathe the home in coloured light.

Steeped in history, the former Gothic Revival style church has been linked to many local notable people in its time including the parents of Norman Lindsay, the celebrated artist and author who wrote children’s tale The Magic Pudding in 1918.

Norman’s parents, surgeon Robert Charles William Alexander Lindsay from Ireland, and Jane Elizabeth, daughter of a Wesleyan missionary, wed in the church in May 1869, local newspaper The Ballarat Star reported.

Five of the couple’s 10 children grew up to become artists and writers, contributing notably to Australian cultural life, according to the Australian Dictionary of Biography.

With the once lofty church walls transformed to host five contemporary bedrooms, four bathrooms, an internal courtyard and self-contained studio, buyers are invited to invest in this piece of living history for $1.988 million.

The neighbouring original schoolhouse at 18B Barkly Street can be purchased together or separately.

Belle Property agent Ashlee McKee said both properties are being offloaded by the same owner, who lived in the schoolhouse while completing the stunning church renovation.

“As you can see from the church, they have gone above and beyond with the renovations and really transformed that space, keeping it to its original glory as much as possible,” she said.

“It’s just jaw-dropping when you go in. The over six-metre high sliding door that takes you into the courtyard is really spectacular and when buyers come through, they’re just amazed – they’ve never seen anything like it before.”

By tastefully separating spaces across two levels, the former church exudes a “cosy and warm” feeling – a contrast to the typical church conversion that creates a warehouse space feel with limited bedrooms.

With five bedrooms, the residence can cater to a family and even downsizers, she said.

Meanwhile buyers are invited to add their own flair to the 1910 schoolhouse, featuring original pine floors, soaring ceilings and timber walls.

The unrenovated three-bedroom property sitting on 469 sqm has a price guide of $750,000 to $825,000.

“Ballarat hasn’t seen anything like this with the church and the way that has been designed, and then the schoolhouse, which is for someone looking to take on a project,” Ms McKee said.

“They’re two very unique properties – not your usual houses that you see on your block of land with four rooms and a roof. It does require a special buyer.”

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