Churches are great places to live. Just think about it. The nave-and-steeple design is no less than iconic. They usually come with huge windows, ready-made bespoke furnishings and, best of all, tons of history and character. Plus, you’re that bit closer to God, so you’ll get in his/her/their/its good books. Probably.
That’s why this converted church in Brighton, England, might well be the house of your dreams. Sat on its own square just off Brighton’s western seafront, the Queensbury Mews features two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room, kitchen and a friggin’ massive amount of space. There’s even a deck kitted out with sun loungers – which is particularly well suited to Brighton, one of the sunniest places in the UK.
The developers have retained all the stained glass and lancet windows of the original building, plus a pew or two (and the steeple, of course). Considering that churches are often pretty spooky, guilt-ridden places, this one feels very bright, modern and ghoul-free.
It’s got a load of fascinating history, too. Funded by a Protestant congregation from France in the mid-1800s, the church was officially christened The French Protestant Church of Brighton in 1887. While the UK is full of English Protestant churches, the Queensbury Mews church was one of only two French ones in the country (the other remains in full use in London’s Soho).
The church regularly held mass until 2008, when it was sold to new owners, and has spent much of the past decade being transformed into the luxurious pad it is now. So if you’re interested in finding out more about the property (and maybe even arranging a viewing)? You’ll find the estate agent’s details over on Rightmove.
Have you heard about this this other church in London, which is now a spellbinding swimming pool?