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
From the Resene News – issue 3/2007

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