Betty Saunders-Klimenko lists 1860 Fitzroy church abode

Betty Saunders-Klimenko lists 1860 Fitzroy church abode
Jonathan ChancellorOctober 8, 2013

The former 1860-built Bible Christian Church in Gore Street, Fitzroy has returned to the market just over a year after its last auction.

It was knocked down at its June 2012 auction for $3.41 million to the Sydney shopping centre heiress Betty Saunders-Klimenko.

It comes with tall brick-embellished Georgian windows and a 1911-added Greek Revival-style façade.

The building was converted 10 years ago into a three-bedroom, two-bathroom house with a six-car garage.

The bluestone building was used as a furniture factory after its ceased operating as a tabernacle.

It features an ornately carved and suitably religious front door and an original banner in the lounge-room proclaiming “Holiness becomes thy house”.

The Bible Christian Church was a Methodist denomination founded by William O’Bryan, a Wesleyan Methodist local preacher in 1815 in North Cornwall. Its mission in Australia was established in 1850.

The marble kitchen has a butler's pantry, and two sets of French doors open to an east-facing paved terrace. The two bedrooms are on the same level, separated by a bathroom. Upstairs is storage space with the possibility to convert into another bedroom.

The last time Nelson Alexander agent Arch Staver had the listing there were three bidders and a $3 million reserve. The marketing photos are the same as last time.

It goes to October 19 auction.

The agents are telling potential buyers that the sale price could be expected to be either side of $3 million.

Jonathan Chancellor

Jonathan Chancellor is one of Australia's most respected property journalists, having been at the top of the game since the early 1980s. Jonathan co-founded the property industry website Property Observer and has written for national and international publications.

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