A couple who have turned a 13th century church into a unique new home have never even lived in it and are now selling it for £1.75 million with neighbours saying: ‘They’ll be praying for a sale at that price!’
Locals believe that Adrian Foulke and his wife Debbie will struggle to find a buyer not only because of the ‘rip-off’ figure but the fact that the ‘spooky’ property is surrounded by graves.
Great grandma Audrey Ormshaw, who has lived in the sleepy hamlet in Northamptonshire for 37 years, feels the odd home is ‘over priced,’ saying: ‘Who would pay that amount to live beside dead bodies?’
The couple from Nottinghamshire, who bought the stunning Grade II listed building, disused St Peter’s Church in 2016 and spent years renovating it, had intended to live in it.
But widowed Mrs Ormshaw told MailOnline that whilst property renovator Mr Foulke, 52, had been keen to move into the luxury four-bedroom house she understands his wife was not keen on moving to the village.
The one-off home, nestled in pretty countryside between Corby and Kettering, bears a plaque at the imposing front door stating: ‘Private House – St Peters Church.’
The couple do not own the public land surrounding it – a graveyard – so the nearest neighbours are resting souls.
Estate agent Lianne Graziano admitted: ‘The property is not for everyone and may be seen as a bit spooky and ghostly but it is so unique and you need to be a very special person to live there.’
Great grandma Audrey Ormshaw (pictured), who has lived in the sleepy hamlet in Northamptonshire for 37 years, feels the odd home is ‘over priced’
Locals believe that Adrian Foulke and his wife Debbie will struggle to find a buyer because the ‘spooky’ property is surrounded by graves
A neighbour said: ‘No one has ever lived there. The property has been restored and they have done a great job but I am not sure it is worth £1.75 million’
The house went on the market in August last year for £1.8 million but failed to sell.
It was later listed with a different agent The Avenue and with a drop in price.
When MailOnline visited the property this week, with our reporter carefully trying not to stumble over the numerous graves, expecting to find occupants living inside, a neighbour said: ‘No one has ever lived there. The property has been restored and they have done a great job but I am not sure it is worth £1.75 million.’
The man, who declined to be named, said the owners may have ‘spent a night or two there’ but had not moved in.
He mows the lawn in the churchyard which he confirms was a public space and that a visitor ‘would not be trespassing.’
He said the property had ‘no garden and no parking.;
Another local in the hamlet – which has just 27 homes and is described as ‘very cliquey’ and has no amenities with not one shop, cafe, pub or community hall for several miles around – said: ‘It is a charming village.
‘I don’t know the owners of the old church, I’ve only seen them once or twice.
The property has ‘no garden and no parking’. The neighbour said he mows the lawn in the churchyard which he confirms was a public space and that a visitor ‘would not be trespassing’
Another local said: ‘I don’t know the owners of the old church, I’ve only seen them once or twice’
Mrs Ormshaw said she would rather the church have been restored for the community rather than be turned into a house, saying: ‘It is a shame’
She said: ‘The owners renovated it and made it a dwelling but have never lived there’
An image shows how the church has been renovated to include its own bathroom – with a bronze coloured tub and sink
The Foulkes, who live in Geddington 2.5 miles away, submitted plans to North Northamptonshire Council in 2016 for a change of use from a church to residential house
Some of the old parts of the building have been left to stand – giving it that authentic church feel
‘If it sells for £1.75million it will be the most expensive house in the village.’
A white van parked in a nearby street in the peaceful neighbourhood eerily has a skeleton propped up in the passenger seat.
The Foulkes, who live in Geddington 2.5 miles away, submitted plans to North Northamptonshire Council in 2016 for a change of use from a church to residential house.
Mrs Ormshaw said she would rather the church have been restored for the community rather than be turned into a house, saying: ‘It is a shame.’
She said: ‘The owners renovated it and made it a dwelling but have never lived there. The husband wanted to move in but the wife refused because she didn’t like some of the people in the village.
‘It is very small and very cliquey.
‘I love it here and there are a lot of professional people living here.’
Among residents are top Harley Street psychotherapist Chip Somers, who specialises in drug addiction, and also runs a private practice from home.
Stain glass windows are a prominent part of the church – and can be seen in multiple rooms including the main downstairs living area
A large chandelier looms above the living area downstairs and a large church bell can be spotted in the corner
The downstairs area is also decked out with its own colour scheme – but this matches the largely toned-down aesthetic of the rest of the building
A closer look at the downstairs living area: Two old street signs reading ‘Old Church Lane’ and ‘Church Road’ have been stuck to the wall
A hint of colour is brought to the property by way of a picture of the church itself that has been put on display
She said: ‘I know he treats a lot of celebrities for drug addiction but we have no idea who.’
The mother-of-three, who has six grandchildren and two great grandchildren, and lives next door to the old rectory, said: ‘I’d never move away.’
She said she knows the owners, describing them as a ‘lovely couple’ but said she ‘doesn’t see them much’.
Mrs Ormshaw used to arrange the flowers every Sunday for church services and said it was ‘very sad’ when St Peter’s became disused.
Her late husband is buried in the graveyard which is almost opposite her beautiful home.
She said it would be ‘very off putting’ living in the restored church surrounded by graves, saying: ‘Who would want to live beside all those dead bodies and pay that amount to do so?’
‘It wouldn’t be for me!
‘The owners will need to say a few prayers to find a buyer.’
Chambers of bliss: A large bed has been positioned below one of the church’s stain glass windows
The property is described as ‘seamlessly merging 19th-century architecture with contemporary design, offering a one-of-a-kind living experience’
She told how a woman called Susan had lived in the old church about 15 years ago.
She explained: ‘She used to do pottery and painting classes at the church.
‘It was later owned by a stone mason and she rented it for about four years.’
Estate agent Ms Graziano said it was ‘the intention of the owners to live there but circumstances changed,’ adding: ‘They are living in a neighbouring village and didn’t want the upheaval.’
She said they have had ‘no viewings’ but have ‘interested parties’ including ‘someone who lives overseas.’
She reiterated that the land around the house was ‘public property’ but described the converted church as ‘breathtaking’ and offered ‘peace and sanctuary’.
She said the village was very commutable and the house would be an ideal weekend retreat or main home.
The property is described as ‘seamlessly merging 19th-century architecture with contemporary design, offering a one-of-a-kind living experience’.
Planners documents state: ‘Old redundant buildings can fall into further disrepair which then attracts abuse and vandalism’
The agent says: ‘This home isn’t just a place to live — it’s a lifestyle statement, perfect for those seeking character, space, and tranquility’
The estate agent has admitted the land around the house is ‘public property’ but describes the converted church as ‘breathtaking’ saying it offers ‘peace and sanctuary’
A magnificent stain glass window can be seen glowing from outside the building. Despite some doubts, the village has been described very commutable and the house would be an ideal weekend retreat or main home
Overall, key features in the elegant home include: Original stained-glass windows, vaulted ceilings, and stone pillars preserving the church’s historic charm plus four generously sized bedrooms, including a master suite with en-suite
Marketing blurb boats: ‘Welcome to St Peter’s Church, a remarkable Grade II listed building reimagined into a luxurious four-bedroom residence.
‘Nestled in the serene village of Little Oakley, this home is a testament to architectural brilliance and thoughtful design.’
Planners documents state: ‘Old redundant buildings can fall into further disrepair which then attracts abuse and vandalism.
‘Bringing this building back into use particularly for residential use can only be described as having a positive impact on the village and the conservation area as a whole.’
Key features in the elegant home include: Original stained-glass windows, vaulted ceilings, and stone pillars preserving the church’s historic charm plus four generously sized bedrooms, including a master suite with en-suite.
There is a bespoke kitchen, contemporary bathrooms and underfloor heating.
The agent adds: ‘This home isn’t just a place to live — it’s a lifestyle statement, perfect for those seeking character, space, and tranquility.’
Mr Foulkes, who is company director of Shy Bairns Property Ltd, declined to discuss the sale of his unoccupied home.
