The property originally served as a school for 100 local children. "It was built in ecclesiastical style, with the intention for it to be used for religious services on Sundays," Geoff says. In 1886, it was enlarged and became a mixed national school. The school closed in 1921, but the church continued to operate.

In this image, photographer Antonia Deutsch captured school children celebrating Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee outside the church in 2012.

"In 2018, the congregation was dwindling and maintenance costs increased," Julie says. "With its use becoming increasingly sporadic, the church was put up for sale by closed bids. We inadvertently put in the highest offer and, just like that, we owned a church." The couple paid £175,000 ($235k).

'We converted a Victorian church into a dream home