Hidden city centre church going to auction for bargain price

From the outside this robust red brick building looks like a handsome property on a main road into Newport city centre but what goes on inside, behind the arched front door, is not at all obvious. It isn't a shop as there's no front to it but maybe offices.

If you are invited to wander inside then the first indication that this building is something more than a boring set of offices is an inner door that can boast beautiful stained-glass windows. You are entering a former spiritualist church on the ground floor of this four-storey property, greeted by simple décor that includes rows of chairs and an altar.

At the rear of the ground floor is a small kitchen and toilet facilities. For more property stories sent to your inbox twice a week sign up to the property newsletter here.

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The upper floors of this substantial building are dedicated residential units but they are not part of the auction lot that has a guide price of £110,000 but the ground floor could join them as home, and a large and unique one at that, if planning consent was secured.

According to author Sara MacKian in an article on the Open University's blog Spiritualism is a philosophy and religion based on the belief that the soul continues to live following the death of the physical body and that communication with spirit is possible through the channel of trained spirit mediums.

The first Spiritualist church in the UK opened in 1853 in Keighley, Yorkshire, and the first national conference of Spiritualists was held in Manchester in 1890. As well as having dedicated buildings early Spiritualist groups met in school halls, working men’s clubs, and medium’s own houses.

Sean Roper, from Paul Fosh Auctions, says about the Spiritualist church now going to online auction: "This is an opportunity to acquire a former ground-floor church that offers scope for conversion to either residential or commercial, subject to planning.

"The property, which has an entrance hall, lobby, the former church, rear kitchen and toilet, is situated on Charles Street, which comprises a number of both retailers and residential units. It is within walking distance of the main high street and Friars Walk shopping centre so very well located for facilities and amenities."

The former church is going to online auction with vacant possession on the Paul Fosh Auctions website from 12pm on Tuesday, June 18, until 5.30pm on Thursday, June 20. Call 01633 254044 to find out more including additional fees, legal pack, and the viewing day on Thursday, June 13.

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