Simon and Gilly Steel purchased a redundant 119-year-old Wesleyan chapel in Humberston, Lincolnshire, in March 2025 for £170,000. The couple, who have prior renovation experience, were drawn to the property's unique character and potential for a spacious home, despite initial hesitation about its location.
Their decision to buy was solidified by the building's preserved features, including stained-glass windows, and ample land, a rarity for former ecclesiastical properties. However, securing a mortgage for such a non-traditional property proved complex, requiring extensive administration. The process also necessitated specialist surveys, including one for bats, as the chapel is located in a conservation area. A discovery of Japanese knotweed on their boundary added further administrative and potential cost complications.
The renovation has presented numerous unforeseen challenges. The couple discovered a side extension was subsiding, requiring demolition and rebuilding, which led Simon to learn to operate a digger. The removal of rubble has been a significant expense, involving dozens of grab wagons and the use of an industrial crusher for foundations and the driveway. Gilly has undertaken tasks at height, repainting beams in the chapel's rafters, despite Simon's fear of heights.
The project has also strained their finances, with the budget significantly exceeded and additional borrowing required. They are now living in a rented bungalow with their dogs and possessions in storage, planning to move into a caravan on-site soon. The couple has documented their experiences, including the highs and lows, on their Instagram page, "Saints and Sledgehammers."
Beyond the physical and financial demands, the Steels have also contended with local rumors, including claims on social media that the chapel would be used to house migrants or be converted into a mosque. They describe these rumors as upsetting and untrue.
Experts note that converting former churches into homes can be a lengthy and costly endeavor. Simon Linford, who specializes in church conversions, explains that parish churches, unlike Methodist chapels, have a more complex closure process and are rarely mortgaged, typically requiring a developer's budget. He emphasizes the difficulty in obtaining mortgages for such unique properties and the subsequent works.
Despite the exhaustion and setbacks, the Steels remain motivated by the vision of creating a warm family home and breathing new life into the building. They anticipate moving in sometime next year and plan to host an open house for local residents to view the completed transformation.