Simon and Gilly Steel purchased a redundant Wesleyan chapel in Humberston, Lincolnshire, in March 2025 for £170,000. The couple, experienced in property renovation, were drawn to the chapel's character and potential for a spacious family home, aiming to escape the limitations of modern new-builds.
Their excitement upon viewing the 1907 chapel, which had closed in 2023 due to declining congregation numbers, was immediate. "Despite being in the opposite direction from where we had been looking at properties, the minute we stepped inside, we looked at each other and both said: 'Oh f***, we're going to buy this, aren't we?'" Simon recounted. The property appealed for its preserved features, including stained-glass windows, and ample land for a garden, offering significant square footage for their planned four-bedroom home.
However, the initial euphoria quickly gave way to the practicalities of renovation. Securing a mortgage for an ex-ecclesiastical property proved more complex than for a standard home, involving extensive administration. "Borrowing for this kind of project is very, very different to a standard residential mortgage," Gilly noted, "and that's something people don't always consider."
Unexpected Hurdles
The renovation project has been further complicated by unforeseen issues. A required survey for bats, a protected species, added unexpected costs and potential delays. "I have learned so much about bats!" Gilly shared. "The season is quite narrow and then they go into hibernation so we had to have a specialist survey done with just weeks to spare."
Additionally, the discovery of Japanese knotweed on their boundary necessitated further surveys to clarify responsibility, adding to the administrative burden and cost. The couple also had to demolish and rebuild a side extension that was found to be subsiding, a task that required Simon to learn how to operate a digger.
The process of removing rubble has been extensive, with approximately 30 to 40 grab wagons used, each costing around £140. Some of the rubble has been processed through an industrial crusher to form foundations and the driveway. Gilly has taken on tasks in the high rafters, repainting beams, despite Simon's fear of heights, describing the work as intensely hot.
Impact on Daily Life
Nearly a year after obtaining the keys in October, the Steels do not anticipate moving into their home until sometime the following year. They initially undertook most of the clearance and demolition work themselves while holding down full-time jobs, dedicating evenings and weekends to the project. "We've had to demolish a side extension, which was not part of the plan...but we discovered it was subsiding," Simon explained.
Their budget has been significantly exceeded, requiring additional borrowing. The couple is currently living in a small rented bungalow with their dogs and possessions in storage, with plans to move into a caravan on-site. "The budget? It's been 'blown out of the water', with extra borrowing required, and they say they're living with the question: 'What if we can't afford to live in it when it's finished?'"
Gilly, who also runs a mental health training business, highlighted the strain such projects can place on relationships. "Many a marriage has fallen apart mid-renovation," she stated, acknowledging that their own stable marriage has been crucial to navigating the challenges. "If we didn't have the stable marriage that we have, we would quite possibly have been divorced through this. Our conversations every evening are about the chapel."
Local Rumors and Future Plans
Beyond the physical and financial demands, the couple has faced challenging local rumors. "There's been some horrible things put on social media – not ours, but elsewhere, which is just absolute nonsense, and upsetting," Gilly said. These rumors included claims that the renovated chapel would be used to house migrants or be converted into a mosque.
Despite the setbacks, the Steels remain committed to completing the renovation. They plan to host an open house for local residents once the transformation is complete. "We are really excited about breathing life back into the building, but in a different form," Gilly stated. "We want to create a really loving, warm family home. When we look up at the beautiful stained-glass window, that's what keeps us driven."
Experts note that converting former churches, particularly parish churches, is a complex and costly undertaking. Simon Linford, who runs Church Converts, explained that obtaining a mortgage for a church building is rare, and conversions are typically for those with substantial financial resources. Unlike Methodist chapels, parish churches involve longer closure processes and greater complexities regarding heritage and potential burial grounds.