A stunning church offering views across the Menai Strait has gone up for sale, but you won't be allowed to hold your wedding there. St Mary's Church in Y Felinheli, Gwynedd, has been put on the market along with its adjacent vicarage, with the two buildings set to be of huge interest to potential investors and developers.
The church, which dates back to 1865 and does not have listing status, could be suitable for commercial or residential development, with estate agents Jackson-Stops saying it could be converted into a “spectacular” home, North Wales Live reports. Potential buyers are being told to submit offers in excess of £375,000 for the properties, with there also being scope for the entire site to be completely redeveloped.
However, anyone interested in purchasing the unique buildings will be restricted in what they use them for. Get the latest homes and property news from WalesOnline sent straight to your inbox for free by signing up to our newsletter.
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Due to covenants on the land, neither property must be used for the manufacture, distribution or sale of alcohol, nor for weddings or for any other religious use. In fact, they cannot be used for any “immoral, sacrilegious, offensive or noisy purposes”, while "the occult or psychic mediums” are also banned.
The buildings would also have to lose their ecclesiastical names under Church in Wales rules, while they will not be allowed to be used to host clubs or for any purpose that “may cause nuisance or annoyance to the vendor”.
St Mary's is built of Welsh stone and has a cruciform lay-out that extends to around 2,500 sq ft. Inside are numerous period features, including impressive stained glass windows and dressed stone arches.
Although some fixtures have been removed, the organ remains in place, as do many of the pews. If the buyer wants to remove remaining fixtures, such as fonts, altars, bells and wall memorials, they must first offer them to the Church in Wales. If the property is subsequently sold, the covenants will remain in place.
The former vicarage, meanwhile, has been well maintained but it needs modernising. Extending to four floors, it has five double bedrooms, two bath/shower rooms, living and dining rooms, an office and a library, while there's also a garage with room for parking outside.
Jackson-Stops have said that the property, with renovation, could provide a "superb family home with views of the straits". It added: “The former vicarage and church of St Mary offers an exciting and unusual opportunity to acquire a substantial detached house and attractive church which could be suitable for a variety of different uses subject to the availability of planning permission.”
The Church in Wales recommends that prospective buyers consult Gwynedd Council’s planning department if they plan changes to the use of the church. As a registered charity, the Church must obtain best value and the quoted asking price is a guide only.
Interested parties should submit their best offer. The property will remain on the open market until contracts have been exchanged.
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