10
Loading video...
By Brian Dillon
Home & Travel Reporter
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
A woman who bought a home through Facebook Marketplace has shared how she is delighted with what she got, showing off the old church she is renovating.
Fanny Barlow shared a video of the abandoned church and has gained more than 300,000 views since she first shared it. In the viral clip, she shows viewers the outside of the church before heading inside to reveal its current condition.
"I bought it as my first property," she told Newsweek. "I live in Brisbane [Australia] but couldn't afford to enter the property market here."
Read More on Home & Garden
She revealed that she wanted to buy somewhere so that she could get out of Brisbane for the Olympics, which will be held there in 2032.
...
"The Olympics is going to be a nightmare for residents in the area and I don't want to be here for it or pay the increased rents and costs when it happens," she said. "So I bought the church with intent to be there and also secure my retirement years in the same go."
As no bank would give her a loan to buy the church, she decided to purchase it with her own funds, so she has no mortgage to pay.
"The total of the church came to $82K, which is less than a deposit for a family home in Brisbane and I own it outright," she said. "It will take a few years to salvage and the aim is to have it livable and functional by the Brisbane Olympics."
Her video shows the empty old church, featuring its distinct arch-shaped windows and high ceilings.
...
According to property experts Soho, the average price of a home in Brisbane is $742,500.
The video has received thousands of comments from fascinated viewers, with many sharing their theories on its past. One person, with the moniker Me, wrote: "Depending on the area, if you do yard work and find other bricks or remains it would have been an old mission site which is why people don't know the history."
"This church looks so much like the Presbyterian church that was in my hometown in country NSW [New South Wales]. It was bought & moved a couple of years back," said @piaryanjones.
"Have a look into Kaurihohore Historic Church. It's a church just north of Whangarei, looks very similar to this one. That church was opened around 1871 so could give some sort of idea around when it was built. Just seen you're in Australia. Whangarei is in New Zealand. But still have a look in to it as it's eerily similar."
Nick commented: "Was the church used on that site? It kind of looks like it was just put there, the lack of stairs makes me think that."
"Not sure if this helps but neoclassical gothic style churches began in the Victorian period in Aus. I'm a designer and builder and love history, especially buildings in this era and art deco," said TL.
Have you transformed your house into something you're proud of? Whether it's a DIY project or a full-scale renovation, share your success stories with us. Let us know via life@newsweek.com, and your dream home could be featured on Newsweek.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines