Divine renovation ahead

The new owner of St Augustine’s Church in Devonport has always dreamed of converting a church into a home. But Lesley Harris never thought she would actually get the chance to do so.

Harris has just bought the former Anglican church in Calliope Rd, for $1.32 million. She is now planning the project of her life.

‘‘After 20 years in banking, it’s time to do something I am really passionate about,’’ said Harris.

‘‘I wasn’t even looking for a project, but friends told me to go and look at this church for sale. It was just meant to be.’’

And she is keen to allay the fears of locals who may be worried about the future of the church, which is actually two former churches – one has been used as a hall.

‘‘I will be working with the heritage of the buildings, not against it. There is more than a century of history here and I want to be very transparent about what I am doing. This is not a cloak and dagger operation.’’

To make one single, large home, Harris will be linking the large brick church with the older weatherboard church via a ‘‘floating bridge’’ with glass on one side.

Harris will be working with seismic engineers and heritage experts. ‘‘Seismic upgrades can be tricky with churches, which were not really built to withstand large earthquakes. I expect it could be a long process.’’

But Harris is not going to add any faux touches to the church, which has a Heritage New Zealand Category 2 listing.

‘‘St Augustine’s is a public icon in Devonport and it needs to be preserved. All the magnificent features, such as the entry vestibule, the beautiful timber ceiling, eaves and floors, the original windows, and the baptismal font and fretwork will remain, but the new additions will be quite minimalist and industrial.‘‘

Harris will also keep the aisle as the main spine of the church, reinforcing the sense of symmetry.

However, she will be opening the kitchen-dining area up to a courtyard between the buildings, which will have a water feature.

‘‘I would like to use big, industrial-steel bifold doors, so we will be able to look out to the landscaped courtyard and the gorgeous little white church.

‘‘We will keep a lot of the interior brick, but there will be some white rendering. The kitchen splashback will be glass, so you will be able to see the brick.’’

The formal lounge will be on the upper level of the older church, with new windows opening out to the view across the harbour to Auckland. The rest of this building will be self-contained accommodation, which could be rented out or used by family.

‘‘After 20 years in banking, it's time to do something I am really passionate about.’’

Lesley Harris, church renovator

JASON DORDAY/STUFF Lesly Harris’ daughter Georgia and a cat named Henry makes themselves at home in their new church abode.