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One of the oldest standing churches in Australia is on the market, complete with a separate two-bedroom dwelling on 4047 square metres of land only metres from the pristine waters of Nelson Bay.
Built in 1847, the heritage-listed church comes complete with a huge castle-like door and a church bell that was made in England in 1829 and was rung when local convicts escaped in the 1800s.
Vendor of the property and fifth generation Carrington resident, Debbie Bird said that she purchased it in 2000 and is only the third person to own it, with the Church of England being the first.
“I wanted to own that church since I was 15. I had made my mind up.”
Ms Bird, whose parents were married in the church in 1948 said the property is an excellent business opportunity.
“You could hold weddings, a restaurant or an art gallery. It was a YHA [Youth Hostel] for around 30 years. It’s only five minutes from the main highway up the coast. What couldn’t you do?”
“I always imagined someone could put in a mezzanine floor upstairs and run whatever business they wanted downstairs,” she said.
The church itself has two toilets inside, while two external showers complement the external quarters that features two bedrooms and a huge kitchen with a separate lounge and dining area.
Ms Bird described the property as a blank canvas with both the church and living quarters structurally in excellent condition.
“The church itself is incredibly strong. The sandstone walls are about 2.5 feet thick and some of the sandstone corners came all the way from England in ship hulls,” she exclaimed, adding that Carrington is steeped with history.
“The town is 190 years old. The first vineyards were here. The first sheep were here. Culturally it is so rich.”
Ms Bird said the church was originally built for the 1824-established Australian Agricultural Company – currently the oldest continuously operating company in Australia.
“They commissioned it to be built. There were about 500 buildings here and it was the pinnacle of the town. It was the Church of England!”
“Lots of real estate is described as unique but this actually is unique!”
Selling agent, Stephen Sinclair of Ray White Tea Gardens said the property is zoned RU5v and presents an excellent business opportunity.
“The zoning allows for businesses such as child care centres, community facilities, dwelling houses, neighbourhood shops, places of public worship and recreation areas, subject to approval,” Sinclair said, adding that while the exterior cannot be modified, the interior can be renovated to meet the needs of the business.
“When it was run as a youth hostel they installed numerous internal walls to create multiple rooms. They have since been taken them out and it’s back in the original state now.”
Carrington sits on the magical Port Stephens waterways, only 12 minutes from Hawks Nest and Tea Gardens and 20 minutes from Newcastle airport.
“This property is close enough to draw the crowds but far enough away to be a truly desirable destination.”
“It really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
For more details, contact Stuart Sinclair from Ray White Tea Gardens/Hawks Nest on 0488 133 988.
