A mesmerising church has turned into a luxury property in Darlington - and now a lucky buyer can call it home.
It's one of the most unusual homes in the area as the former altar has transformed into a kitchen and dining area.
Now, buyers are being asked to take a leap of faith; it is on the market for £1.5million.
The church in question is steeped in local heritage having been designed by renowned Darlington architect J.P Pritchett in 1871 and can be found in the picturesque village of Middleton One Row.
Now, in 2026, St Laurence’s church has brought together ecclesiastical grandeur with modern luxury, with a seven-bedroom family home beyond its Gothic exterior.
An outside-look at the $1.5m church in Darlington.
(Image: Smith & Friends Estate Agents)
Built from rock-faced sandstone beneath a Welsh slate roof, the Grade II-listed building remains every bit as imposing as the day it was completed more than 150 years ago.
An elegant octagonal spire rises from the tower, while ornate stone carvings and towering stained-glass windows are reminders of its former life as a place of worship.
Stepping inside, visitors are greeted by a dramatic entrance hall before the building opens into a vast living, dining and kitchen space created within the church’s original nave.
The ground floor also incorporates a former vicarage, now transformed into a self-contained apartment featuring an open-plan living and sleeping area, its own kitchen and bathroom facilities.
One of the upstairs bathrooms in the £1.5m church
(Image: Smith & Friends Estate Agents)
Upstairs, the first-floor houses three double bedrooms and a family bathroom.
The second floor offers two further double bedrooms and a principal suite complete with an en-suite shower room and a balcony overlooking the grand open-plan living area.
Outside, a private driveway sweeps up from the road to ample parking and extensive lawned gardens wrapped by mature hedged borders, creating a secluded setting befitting such a unique property.
An image of the rear of the £1.5m church
(Image: Smith & Friends Estate Agents)
Oh, and don’t worry - for anyone fearful of the stereotypes that surround living in a former church, the estate agents have pointed out that St Laurence’s has no graveyard at all.
The property gained a lot of attention after being posted on viral social media account Housing Horrors.
The TikToker labelled the historic church as an "interesting" space.
They said: "I actually quite like how they've kept some of the original features but modernised it slightly.
"It makes for a really interesting mismatch."
However, he noted it would "cost a fortune" to heat.
The post has already gained a lot of attention, with over 2,000 likes.
One commenter wrote: "That's actually good." Another insisted they "would buy".
"Aw my parents go married here in the 90s," shared another.
Another said: "I went to this church till I was eight."
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According to the listing, the property has also proved its worth as a business venture, having previously generated income as Airbnb accommodation.
It also offers additional potential through the self-contained apartment.
Whether viewers see it as a heavenly bargain or a £1.5m leap of faith, the Housing Horrors feature has ensured plenty of people are now imagining life beneath stained glass, vaulted ceilings and the sounds of a church organ in one of the North East’s most distinctive homes.