Unlike many town homes in this accessible part of Adelaide, this converted church is filled with unique historic features.

Words Genevieve Meegan

The thing Themis Chryssidis loves most about his converted church home in Torrensville is that it still looks like a church.

Themis, who co-owns cooking school Sprout with Callum Hann, has lived in the striking red brick abode for the past five years. However, with work commitments changing, it’s now time to explore other options.

“What I love is that when you walk through the door you don’t feel like you’re in a townhouse, you feel like you’re in a church that has been converted into a home,” says Themis. “So many original features of the building have been maintained and incorporated into modern living.

“That includes the arched, stain glass windows, exposed wooden beams, original doors and door handles and light fixtures. It just has so much character and we have loved living here.”

The property at 31 Carlton Parade was a congregational church in the early 1900s and the building was mentioned in the local paper in 1912.

“Despite the wind and dust and threatening sky, a large number of ladies and gentlemen assembled this afternoon to witness the laying of the foundation stone of the Torrensville Congregational Church … The first service in connection with the church was held on Sunday, October 10, 1908. At present, the membership totals 39. The Church, when completed … will hold just on 200 worshippers.” (The Mail, November 1912).”

The historical residence was subdivided into two properties several years ago and features include a pressed metal ceiling in the master bedroom upstairs, two bathrooms and an open plan living area downstairs leading out to a long courtyard.

The convenience of the low-maintenance property is a major selling point, according to Themis. “It is such a secure place. I travel a lot for work and it’s so easy to just lock up and leave,” he says.

The area also gives the property great appeal, he says, including being so close to the Henley Beach Road shopping and cafe precinct, the new Royal Adelaide Hospital, the Brickworks and the airport.

“A lot of the townhouses and units this close to the city have no character but this place is so convenient and is just packed with character,” he says.

And Themis is also adamant there has been nothing spooky going on in the place.

“I’m not a very superstitious person anyway but we haven’t seen anything unusual,” he says. “I do know there were never any funerals held here.”

The property is being handled by Marina Ormsby from Klemich Real Estate and is listed for between $660,000 and $710,000.

“I think it would really suit a professional couple or an older couple who are looking to travel and can just lock up and go,” Themis says.