791 Linton-Carngham Road, Snake Valley, has a regional address that could be heaven or hell, depending on how you feel about serpents.
A historic church is bringing a little mystery and a lot of buyers’ eyes to a small goldfields hamlet with a name some would call their idea of hell.
The former Welsh Methodist church at 791 Linton-Carngham Road, Snake Valley has been converted as a weekender with a rustic industrial vibe on the inside that’s piqued buyers’ interests — even though the town name has piqued their nerves.
Buxton Ballarat’s Brayden Dorney said he’d had to reassure a number of the 58 people who had inquired to date after they asked “why it is called Snake Valley”.
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While it was reputedly named by an 1850s gold miner who found snakes in a shaft he was sinking, today the town just west of Ballarat is better known for its general store, primary school and golf course.
And the Norman-style church’s $299,000-$325,000 asking price has been enough to get buyers from around Australia keen to visit the 2389sq m property, once the nation’s borders open up again.
The home’s interior is described as a blend of rustic and industrial.
“We have had calls from Queensland and New South Wales from buyers who are just hanging for us (Victoria) to finish our lockdown so they can cross the border and have a look,” Mr Dorney said.
“A lot of them are looking to upgrade it as a residence.”
Another part of the attraction is a chance to find out what remains inside the property’s sealed off belltower.
“It’s a bit of a mystery as to what’s up there,” Mr Dorney said.
“There could be a ladder up, or the old bell up there.”
The former church’s cathedral ceilings add character to the upper floor.
Whatever was found within, the tower would certainly offer an impressive view over the local countryside if the next owner was willing to install a way up there, he said.
The church became a local scout hall after it was sold off in 1996, and was converted to a two-bedroom residence about 15 years ago.
A time capsule set into its walls and a plaque added to the property when it was built in 1908 have also marked it as a historic site, with Heritage Victoria documents noting it as the state’s first building made using concrete blocks to form a hollow wall cavity.
It is also the second church built on the site.
It is expected the next owner will update the kitchen, which still has a wood-burning stove.
The current owner has used it as a getaway, and the floorplan currently features an open-plan living zone with a bedroom hidden behind a partition wall and the option of an additional one on a mezzanine level. The upper floor is a dedicated sleeping loft.
“It’s fairly rustic, but has an industrial feel as well — and even still has a wood-fired oven,” Mr Dorney said.
“It’s a bit tired these days, being more than 100 years old, and would benefit from some love — but it’s got some character.
“And it’s solid as a rock.”
The bathroom has a distinctly country vibe with exposed iron sheeting and a freestanding tub.
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