Sydney stunt coordinator sells converted Turramurra church

SYDNEY stunt man Mick Hodge has seen it all on the sets of Godzilla and The Matrix but his latest adventure with wife Lara Hodge will be selling their converted Turramurra church.

The couple have put their former St Andrews Presbyterian Church at 106 Kissing Point Rd on the market through Ray White Upper North Shore agents Anna Cavill and Joanne Persechino. Built in the late 1920s and going through several denomination changes, the Hodge’s church turned residence is selling through private sale.

The pair are now off to a larger property in Middle Dural, but said they will miss the beautiful atmosphere of the old church.

“We looked at a lot of places before moving here and they were all so sterile and boring. But, when we walked into the first open home I said, “what are all these people doing in my house,” Mrs Hodge said.

“It still has the lovely arch windows and the best thing about the home, aside from the aesthetic, is that it has a wonderful vibe about it and beautiful acoustics.

The old Turramurra church was converted to a residence in 1969 by then owners Mr and Mrs Douglas Saunders. Mrs Nadine Saunders, nee Amadio, was the niece of well known musicians Clive and Neville Amadio and related to the operatic soprano Florence Austral.

With this in mind, it was important to the Saunders that the church still retained its excellent acoustics after the transition. Something the Hodges have taken advantage of when hosting various musicians, opera singers and orchestra quartets for fundraisers in the church hall.

During their tenure in the former church, Mrs Hodge said apart from necessary repairs they have done no other major renovations so they can keep the church’s history alive.

“Aside from a few bits and pieces here and there and a new shed, we haven’t wanted to touch the original features as that’s what gives the house its personality,” Mrs Hodge said.

“There is just a wonderful feeling when you walk in the house and we wanted to preserve that.”