Strike gold with church digs

An historic property for sale in Tasman district has been a church, a poet’s retreat, played its part in a local tragedy, and might just be sitting on a goldmine.

The historic church near Tapawera, about 60 kilometres from Nelson, was built in 1906, a multi-denominational alternative to a Catholic church down the road, said owner Daniel O’Donnell.

It fell out of use in the 1980s, and O’Donnell’s father Vincent bought the property in 1992.

Vincent, a self-styled poet and outdoors man, loved James K Baxter and the idea of a Jerusalem-style community, O’Donnell said.

‘‘He had the same idea for himself, that he could go away to his retreat, and write poetry.’’

In 2011, another chapter was added to the property’s history when it played a part in a local tragedy. A local engineer shot his son, before driving to the church, where he shot himself in the driveway.

Vincent died 18 months ago. But as long as he was able, he used the cabin as a gateway to the outdoors, hunting, trapping and exploring the nearby national parks, O’Donnell said.

He never modernised the property, and used an outhouse and an outdoor bath.

‘‘He lived there for years, but it had the most basic facilities.

‘‘If you take out all the personal items and rearrange it it looks like a church again.’’

The chattels, which include pews and an organ, will be sold with the property, O’Donnell said.

Ray White real estate agent Fay Stoker said that although the church needs a lot of love, new owners could strike gold.

It was located on a bend of the Tadmor River, and there was a possibility of a ‘‘sizeable deposit of gold’’ on the property.

‘‘That’s just hearsay, but there’s definitely gold in the Tadmor River,’’ Stoker said.

The historic building is ‘‘scruffy as heck’’ in places, but much of the building was solid, she said.

‘‘I desperately want to see someone renovate it.’’

Stoker had been inundated with inquiries since the property hit the market.

‘‘Some people are looking at it for land, others are looking at renovating, turning it into an Airbnb, or adding onto it to make it a bigger family home.’’

Would-be buyers have one chance to view: at an open home today, at 2pm.

RAY WHITE The historic property near Tapawera was built in 1906. Since then, it’s seen its fair share of local events.

RAY WHITE The former church has no bathroom, but it does have plenty of original features, including old pews and an organ.