HOME TO WORSHIP
Conversion gives former chapel new lease of life
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F A home with character, space and potential, purchased at a reasonable price, is a winning combination for you then maybe a disused chapel will be rewarded as your first prize property.
The conversion of this attractive stone former chapel in Rhewl Mostyn near Holywell, called Old Pen Rhewl, is a success story of combining original with modern, luxury with practical, to create a distinctive home.
This Flintshire chapel appears to have a garden that is free of graves and full of character. The front facade of the home demands you linger to admire the attractive stonework, the roof-line detailing and the symmetrical gothic arch windows, which are a distinctive original feature throughout the house.
And once inside there are many original features to spot.
Some chapels are converted into modern homes by creating new, square internal rooms and ripping out the original features, arguably ripping out the character too.
Good chapel conversions manage to successfully combine the reason for buying a chapel – character and space – with creating a modern and comfortable home.
Old Pen Rhewl chapel is a perfect example of combining the old with the new, resulting in a period home with modern convenience.
The space a chapel can offer a new owner is surely one of the most important considerations when converting the building.
Inserting a first floor mezzanine level for extra accommodation is likely to occur. But this can be done to retain the sense of space while still creating extra floorspace, as illustrated in Old Pen Rhewl chapel.
In this property, at the far end of the chapel, where the alter and pulpit once stood, the double height space has been retained. This results in the main living area enjoying the full length of the gothic windows and the mesmerising decorative ceiling and coving.
A section of the original first floor mezzanine has been retained and is now used as a dining area, boasting the best views of the former chapel’s characterful ceiling above and the huge living space below.
On this upper floor two double bedrooms, a family bathroom and the master suite has been created.
The family bathroom on this floor boasts a built-in sauna/steam room and a statement bath angled so that rural views can be enjoyed directly from the tub.
Back on the ground floor and the clever conversion has created space under this first floor mezzanine to accommodate a separate and cosy sitting room, study and games room.
Throughout the home the owners have kept and showcased many original features and ensured that the interior design, whether traditional or modern, circulates around them.
The original vestry doors and religious artwork in the lounge are the focus of the space and are not crowded out by modern additions, just a soft and warm pale dusky pink shade on the walls that warms the space rather than dominates it.
The kitchen and bathrooms are probably the most modern spaces, but the materials chosen like wood, stone and wrought iron for units, flooring, furniture and statement fixtures and fittings bring traditional and tactile features to each space.
The master bedroom is a space that works well as a more traditional area, combining a statement four poster bed with antique style furniture and tapestry style fabrics that includes tassels. The decorative coving and top of the gothic window have been cleverly drawn into the room’s interior design scheme by being accented in gold.
The chapel might be considered by a potential buyer as a perfect property, but the location of the home is pretty special too.
Rhewl Mostyn is a small village located just off the coast road, that offers excellent walking, cycling and horse riding opportunities.
The village provides a range of dayto-day amenities while a wider range of independent and national stores can be found in the neighbouring market town of Holywell, Flint and Mold.
Old Pen Rhewl chapel sounds like a heavenly combination of location, character and modern living.
Old Pen Rhewl Chapel is for sale for £395,000 with estate agent Strutt and Parker. Give them a call on 01244 354880 to find out more.