London SE23Sold

Church Rise

Built by Ewan Christian, who went on to design the National Portrait Gallery

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This striking one-bedroom apartment sits in a converted church in Forest Hill. Renovated in a neutral palette, allowing the original features to sing, the apartment is a beautiful blend of pared-back modernity and historic grandeur. Constructed in the 1800s, the building was once the local parish church, and this apartment occupies a prime spot in its southern portal. Unfolding across three floors, the open-plan living spaces are filled with light that pours in through full-length windows, while a mezzanine level provides space for guest accommodation. Set in the centre of Forest Hill, the apartment is close to the vibrant bars and restaurants the area has to offer and has fast and easy access to central London.

Setting the Scene

During the 19th century, several churches were constructed across south London to accommodate the increasing number of parishioners in these newly developed areas of London. Frequently built by established architects, these churches, situated away from the centre of London, offered the opportunity for these architects to experiment with the design.

Originally known as Christ Church, the present Kentish Flagstone structure was built in 1854 by Ewan Christian, the architectural advisor of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, who went on to design the National Portrait Gallery. For more information, please see the History section.

The Grand Tour

Accessed from the ground floor, entry is to a neat hallway, through to the open-plan kitchen, living and dining room. Here, oak floorboards ground the space and are complemented by whitewashed walls, the minimal colour scheme putting the focus firmly on the ecclesiastical architectural features.

On the left is a kitchen with chalk stained beach cabinetry topped by black laminate worktops, finished with chrome detailing. The current owners have utilised the adjacent space as a dining area, with plenty of room for a large table and chairs, making it perfect for entertaining. The living area is set into what was the portal, accessed through an arch of sweeping pilasters and elegant molding. This space is triple aspect; a full-length glazed cast-iron door with folding oak shutters opens to the garden, and two windows on either side of the room allow light to flood the plan. The space is defined by the rugged stonework and a high wooden vaulted roof that has been recently restored.

On the first floor is a mezzanine, fronted by a glass balustrade with views down onto the living area. An airy space, it would make the perfect studio or a guest bedroom. The main bedroom is on the second floor, set into the eaves. Two skylights illuminate the space, and an arched entrance door and foliate church pillars add drama.

A large bathroom is on the first floor and has a bath with an overhead shower. It is tiled in cream marble, referencing the neutral palette in the rest of the apartment. There is a separate shower room opposite the main bedroom. Echoing the scheme of the other bathroom, it has cream mosaic detailing, which adds a clever sense of cohesion.

The Great Outdoors

The church is within its own gated complex on the hill leading from Perry Vale. The gates open to a verdant communal garden that wraps around the house. The south side has a large sweeping lawn, which can be accessed directly from the apartment with ample space to sit and bask in its relative tranquility.

Out and About

The church is situated in the centre of the leafy residential area of Forest Hill. In recent years, several cafes, restaurants and boutiques have sprung up, contributing to its bustling community feel. On Perry Vale is Pantry, a famous delicatessen that doubles up as a café and wine bar. Dartmouth Arms is affiliated with MeatLiquor and serves burgers and craft beer. Canvas and Cream and St David Coffee House are lively cafes. Further dining options around Dartmouth Road include Sylvan Post, a gastropub that occupies the site of a former post office, The Chandos, with its independently brewed beers, homemade pizza, and the bohemian London Beer Dispensary. The neighbourhoods of East Dulwich and Peckham are slightly further afield, both with a host of excellent restaurants and cafes.

One of the principal attractions in the area is the Horniman Museum and Gardens, designed by Charles Harrison Townsend. Opened in 1901 to house the collections of Frederick John Horniman, it encompasses eclectic anthropological and musical items, a world gallery, a butterfly house and an aquarium. The extensive gardens provide excellent views over London and are the setting for the weekly Sunday Farmer’s Market. Other things to do in the area include walking along the 18th-century nature conservation site of Cox’s Walk, which runs from Dulwich Woods to Sydenham Hill and comprises around three acres of green spaces. Also, there is Daces Wood Nature Reserve, formerly part of an extensive Victorian garden. The Dulwich Picture Gallery is also a 10-minute drive away.

The nearest station is Forest Hill, running London Overground services to Highbury & Islington via Shoreditch High Street and Canada Water (for connections to the Jubilee Line). Southern Trains runs direct services to London Bridge with a journey time of around 20 minutes.

Tenure: Leasehold
Lease Length: 115 years remaining
Service Charge: £3,500 per annum
Ground Rent: £200 per annum
Council Tax Band: C

Please note that all areas, measurements and distances given in these particulars are approximate and rounded. The text, photographs and floor plans are for general guidance only. Inigo has not tested any services, appliances or specific fittings — prospective purchasers are advised to inspect the property themselves. All fixtures, fittings and furniture not specifically itemised within these particulars are deemed removable by the vendor.

History

Forest Hill is a district of London that was not developed until the mid-nineteenth century. Until then, it was known as ‘The Forest’ because of the dense woodland that covered the area. The church was buit in 1854 by Ewan Christian on land donated by the Earl of Dartmouth as part of his development of the Dartmouth Park Estate.

The spire was not part of the original design. Instead, it was added after a campaign to add spires to churches across London was started. These spires can also be seen at Blackheath and Greenwich. The church was deconsecrated in 1998. The tower was eventually developed into a series of flats that work with the church architecture and preserves the original ecclesiastical features.