A rare opportunity has arisen to acquire a unique property and a part of early Tasmanian history. Set on 0.4047 hectares (1 acre approx.) the Old Beach Wesleyan Chapel was opened in March 1853, and has a long and rich history.
At the time of opening the Chapel was the only church located between Bellerive and Pontville, and served the community for more than eighty years. However, during the 1930s the area’s population plummeted and the church was closed.
Due to the surge in housing development on the Eastern Shore during the 1980s, the Uniting Church decided to restore and extend the chapel, and recommenced services there. However, finding the chapel too small to cater for the congregation twenty years later, the Uniting Church decided to build a larger church in a more central position, and placed the chapel on the market.
The current owner, who was visiting Tasmania in search of her ancestors, purchased the property in early 2005. In 2011 the chapel underwent a major conversion and is now a charming two bedroom residence with a one bedroom bungalow at the rear of the property.
A white picket fence frames the front of the property and there is ample off street parking for multiple cars.
The kitchen has been tastefully designed in a neutral color scheme with bamboo bench tops, French doors leading to an outdoor covered area. The polished concrete floors add a modern touch. The original church doors have been painstakingly stripped and restored.
A separate laundry and bathroom are positioned off the kitchen area and the master bedroom provides built-in robes. The kitchen flows into the family room and is separated from the original part of the church by an original leadlight door. The separate lounge room is spacious, light and bright, and a nice place to sit and relax. From this room floating stairs lead to the mezzanine level which is perfect as a second bedroom or could be utilized as a craft room or study area.
This is certainly a unique property waiting for a unique owner to appreciate its rich history and ornate features, conveniently situated under thirty minutes from Hobart’s CBD and airport.