Couple Transforms Derelict Church into Luxury Home, Increasing Value by Over £500,000

Retired designer Geoff Bolam, 70, and his wife Julie have transformed a derelict 160-year-old church in the Cotswolds into a contemporary two-bedroom home, significantly increasing its value. The couple purchased the Old Mission Church in Paxford, Gloucestershire, at auction for £175,000 in 2018, and it is now valued at £700,000. The extensive renovation project, which cost an additional £370,000, took approximately three years to complete.

The historic building, originally opened as a children's school in 1866 and later serving as a place of worship for over a century, had fallen into disuse. Geoff Bolam, who previously ran a design company in London, took on the project as a retirement endeavor. The transformation involved navigating structural issues, conservation regulations, and significant repair work.

Renovation Challenges

The renovation presented numerous hurdles, including dealing with rising damp caused by a previous concrete floor installation that trapped moisture. This necessitated excavating the floors back to the earth and replacing cement-based pointing and old render with breathable lime materials. The roof also required substantial work, with rotten timbers uncovered that led to partial reconstruction and complete retiling, though nearly all original tiles were salvaged.

Conservation rules and planning permissions also added complexity. The initial architectural plans had to be revised after a conservation officer objected to the proposed placement of roof lights and an interior layout that would have disrupted the church's original feel. A second architect developed a new plan that incorporated a suspended glass pod for a bedroom, a lounge below it, and a kitchen in the former schoolroom.

Design and Completion

The finished property features a nave, two luxury bathrooms, a sleek kitchen, and a suspended mezzanine bedroom pod, incorporating restored Victorian details. The original stained-glass windows have been retained. Geoff Bolam managed much of the project himself, estimating this saved him around £20,000. He described the project management as a full-time job.

Property as a Holiday Let

Since completion in October 2021, the former church has been operated as a holiday let. It has welcomed numerous guests and has received consistent five-star reviews, even winning Best Boutique Stay in Gloucestershire and Worcestershire at the 2025 Muddy Stilettos Awards. The couple stated their primary achievement is saving the historic building and giving it a new purpose for potentially another century. The property is described as a stylish yet cozy two-bedroom home.