Going to the chapel!

1:26pm Wednesday 25th June 2008

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Rachel and David Sharp brought this former chapel in a ‘lost’ hillside hamlet back to life as a lovely family home.

They converted the derelict building into a four bedroom home with superb views, retaining lots of its character and carrying out much of the work themselves.

To the north of Baildon Moor, where the rough moorland merges into a gentler landscape of green fields, once lay the tiny village of Low Hill – a cluster of 15 cottages which were later joined by a Primitive Methodist Chapel built in 1874.

A thriving social life developed around the chapel, which was attended by people from Low Springs, Hawksworth, Sconce, Fairweather Grange and Tong. Anniversary and harvest services were held in the open air, trustees, a librarian and magazine agent were appointed and a new harmonium purchased.

Sadly the number of people living in Low Hill declined and by the early 1900s many of the cottages were used only as holiday homes. Because they took a less active part in village life, attendances at the chapel also fell and the building was eventually sold for £320 to Thomas Robinson, who used it as a tea-house until 1980.

The cottages had always had their water piped in from Crag Well, which because it flowed from sandstone was soft and pure. They were condemned as unfit for habitation because they had no sewers and, despite opposition, were demolished in the 1960s.

A year after the former chapel was closed it was spotted by Rachel and David Sharp, who thought the derelict building was the next best thing to the plot of land they were looking for.

“We saw the location, the size and the challenge,” says Rachel. “Taking it on did cause us a few sleepless nights.

“My husband went to the seaside and brought a caravan back and we lived in it with our two teenage sons. It was exciting and fun.”

There was no water, no gas and no drainage. David, who is a consultant engineer, drew up plans for the interior, and then project managed the job.

“The work took about six months. We put a bore hole at the back for water and had drainage put in. Inside we kept much of the character, like the original beams. We had to lower the floor to get two storeys in. It was a mammoth task and David’s mum and dad came every weekend to help us out.

“Heavy snow came just before Christmas, and it was so cold our clothes in the caravan froze so we moved into the chapel, even though it wasn’t quite finished. The carpet-fitter was still working at midnight on Christmas Eve,” Rachel recalls.

The end result is a lovely family home with a lounge, dining room, kitchen, utility area and study on the ground floor, with four double bedrooms, an en-suite, house bathroom and games room on the first floor. There is also a converted loft space which could be put to a variety of uses.

“There are amazing views from every window, and every scene you get is different,” says David. “Originally we were just going to do one storey, but it was easier than we thought so we decided to keep going.”

It’s not an easy task to transform a place of worship into a home, but David says this one was simpler than most. “It was a Primitive Methodist, so it was very square and basic, which helped a lot.”

Both Rachel and David are in no doubt which is their favourite room – the kitchen. Rachel says: “We can look out into the garden from the kitchen, and it’s the hub of the house. Whoever comes here, they always end up in the kitchen.”

The family had to buy some land for a garden, which is about a quarter of an acre and accessed from the house through French doors. All the excavation yielded enough stone to create a double garage and all the walls around the garden.

“We’re very proud of what we’ve achieved here; it’s a part of us. Over the years a number of people have knocked on the door saying they remember having tea here when it was a cafe,” says Rachel.

“We’re gong to miss the views most of all. It’s like a bereavement really – we’ve never appreciated the views as much as since when we decided to downsize.”

David adds: “I’m going to miss the openness. We can walk straight out on to the moors. Baildon is just a mile away and it’s a lovely walk for a paper on a Sunday. The views are fabulous every season and there are fantastic walks right on the doorstep.”

“Our family and friends ask us why we are moving, because they have such happy memories of visits here,” says Rachel. “I hope the house will appeal to a family where the children can grow up and enjoy it, like ours did.”

The Old Chapel at Low Hill, Baildon, is on the market for £595,000 with Halifax, Baildon, tel (01274) 591952.