Divine inspiration - Fencourt Church conversion
Take a very old country church, a couple who saw its potential
and an architect with a passion for old buildings and what do
you get? A major renovation project needing just a hint of divine
inspiration.
Once 108 square metres in size, the Fencourt Church, a small
Methodist church located just 7km north-east of Cambridge, has
near tripled in size to 270 square metres and found itself a new
role as a bed and breakfast. Built in 1907, several extensions
occurred over the 89 years it was owned by the church, including
the addition of a vestry, a church hall and a lean-to structure
that served as a Sunday school room. In 1996, the church was first
sold to private owners before finally being onsold.
By 2005, the building was in need of extensive repairs. The roofing,
piles, wiring and plumbing all needed replacing, the makeshift
kitchen was not conducive to modern living, bedroom areas were
not separated and the original 'his' and 'her' church toilets,
complete with holes in the floorboards for 'ventilation', were
still in use. The plan was to restore the old church back to its
former glory and convert the building into a fully functional
home and luxury bed and breakfast - a home with character and
a strong sense of history that could be shared with family, friends
and guests.
The refurbishment incorporated the creation of living spaces,
four bedrooms, the addition of bathroom and ensuite and installation
of a modern kitchen. The extensions included a fifth upstairs
bedroom, ensuite, formal dining area and garaging, all designed
in character with the original building, while allowing for the
luxuries of modern living. The new elements wrapped in weatherboard
on the exterior have been so well interwoven with the original,
that there is a sense it has always been just one building.
The exterior colour palette of Resene Napa (grey beige neutral)
and Resene Merino (green off-white) work well with the structural
design and rooflines ensuring that the original church is visibly
still the dominant feature. With the hard work over, the guest
logbook is ready and waiting for visitors.
Architect: Rob Macek Design
Builder: Mason & Mason Builders; Begovich Builders
Owner: Kim
& Steve Murphy, Church on Church Rd
Resene: Cambridge ColorShop
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