Buyers queue up for $400,000 church conversion in small town with no shops – realestate.com.au

Applications are mounting for a former church that has been put on the market in a town so small you’ve probably never heard of it.

With a price guide in the early to mid $400,000s, the circa-1900 stone church at 36 Railway Terrace in Black Rock offers an affordable, turnkey retreat for those seeking peace and serenity off the beaten path.

Selling agent Elesa Wood of Ray White does not expect the sale of the house to take long. Questions are already coming in as soon as the house is finished, because of its turnkey condition.

“People love the idea. I’ve never met anyone who hasn’t dreamed of one day owning a church, but the actual practical reality of buying a church and then doing a complete renovation is quite overwhelming for most people,” Ms Wood said.

The character renovation features an open-plan living room, dining room and kitchen, anchored by a wide island bench and stainless steel appliances. Image: realestate.com.au

---

Now that all the hard work has been done, all that is left for devout church seekers to do is reach the property to inspect it.

There are no shops, no pubs (the only one in town which closed in the 1980s) and only a handful of residents, but the near-ghost town of Black Rock in South Australia’s mid-north is surprisingly well connected.

The town – or technically hamlet – has only a handful of residents. Image: realestate.com.au

---

It’s less than 10 minutes to Orroroo (population 600), just over 15 minutes to Peterborough – where you can currently buy city hall for less than $600,000 – and an hour from the larger regional centers of Port Pirie and Port Augusta.

“I usually ask buyers, ‘Do you know where it is?’ If you want the IGA on your doorstep, this is not the property for you,” Ms Wood said.

“But if you like being only 10 to 15 minutes away from quite large rural areas, then this might be for you.”

Perfect for those looking for peace and quiet. Image: realestate.com.au

---

Mrs Wood said all the hard work has already been done and the current owner has designed every aspect of the house for long-term family living.

“She lived there for a long time,” Mrs. Wood said. “She has really put a lot into it financially, but also emotionally.

“The quality of the renovation; these beautiful character features have really been embraced.”

The kitchen features an island breakfast bar, plenty of cabinetry, a subway tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances. Image: realestate.com.au

---

Behind the classic stone facade lies a modern two-bedroom house with an open-plan living, dining and kitchen area surrounding original arched windows and high ceilings.

A bright conservatory with crackling combustion stove keeps buyers warm during winter nights, while wide sliding glass windows provide access to extensive gum-strewn grounds.

There is a spacious master bathroom with roll top bath and separate shower, as well as an en suite bathroom for the master bedroom.

The large bathroom has a freestanding roll top bath with separate shower. Image: realestate.com.au

---

Beyond the church, a converted shipping container and adjacent barn provide additional self-contained accommodation with two additional bedrooms, a living area and a bathroom, creating space for guest accommodation or even short stays.

There are several separate living areas. Image: realestate.com.au

---

But it’s the rugged landscape that feels like a real Dorothea Mackellar poem.

“It’s dry, but then there will be droughts and flooding rains,” Ms Wood said.

“There are a lot of ruins around, it’s really a pioneer area in that part of the Mid-North.

“It’s an area that people absolutely love, but you won’t necessarily have an English garden there. The garden and all the resources are designed for tougher times.”

Ancient ruins are scattered throughout the region. Image: realestate.com.au

---

“So it has a lot of those extras that would cost people thousands of dollars — all that money has been spent.”

She said the buyer would likely be a state capital or interstate buyer looking for a church that is ready to go.

“The church segment itself is very strong. It’s not like selling a two-bedroom apartment where they want a space, they want a church, and they look at the areas where the church is located, but they will look mainly because of the style of the building.

The property has a price guide in the early to mid $400,000s. Image: realestate.com.au

---

“It is a wonderful opportunity. The owner has really put her heart and soul into it and it is not a flip renovation.

“So it didn’t happen for cheap, but mainly with the intention that she would stay there.”