Kerris Old Chapel, Kerris, Cornwall

This beautiful converted 20th-century chapel lies in the rolling countryside near Mousehole, Cornwall. A painterly quality of natural light permeates throughout, particularly in the main open-plan living space, which is open to the timber-lined roofline. Spanning over 2,064 sq ft, the house has four bedrooms, a spacious mezzanine, and a picturesque garden with its own intriguing past.



Setting the Scene



Built in 1903, Kerris Old Chapel was marvellously converted by its former owners, painters Paul Feiler and Catharine Armitage. One of the founding members of the St Ives School of Art, Feiler has had artworks exhibited in the Tate and in global institutions. Feiler converted the house in the 1950s, together with modernist architect Eugene Rosenberg. It has remained in the family since, and comes to the market for the first time.



A multi-layered history beyond just its ecclesiastical past ripples through the home and its outdoor space. To the rear, the garden hedge comprises remnants of an ancient Iron Age stone circle. The Kerris roundago was represented on a plate as part of the Green Frog Service. Commissioned by Empress Catherine the Great (1773-4), the Green Frog Service was designed by Josiah Wedgwood.



The Chapel was a popular meeting place for the local artists of the St Ives and Newlyn School during the 1950s and 60s. Feiler regularly hosted artist friends visiting Cornwall; a photograph taken in the front garden of the Feiler family with Mark Rothko in 1959 is thought to be the only photographic evidence that the painter visited the UK.



The Grand Tour



From the quiet country lane, Kerris Old Chapel peeks above a tall hedgerow. A black gate opens to the front garden, which in turn leads to the front door. This opens to a hallway that leads towards the kitchen; this is fitted with an oil-fired Aga. Opposite, a dining nook has been created, with bench seating beneath a bank of dual-aspect windows. The view is marvellous, facing out to the south.



From here is the main chapel area, a beautiful, triple-aspect space with a trio of towering windows. Original parquet floor stretches out through the ground level, and timber of a similar hue lines the pitched ceiling above. Here, striking timber stairs ascend to a brilliant mezzanine level with countryside views. Beneath the stairs is a space cleverly used as a compact workshop. To the rear of the house is a sunroom, with a door that opens to the garden and has panoramic views across fields.



The home has four bedrooms, each with a peaceful feel. The principal is a delightful space, with parquet flooring and an en suite shower room. French doors open from the bedroom to a small balcony with restorative views. The second-largest bedroom at the back of the house also has an en suite. There is also an additional bathroom from the hallway.



The Great Outdoors



The garden that surrounds Kerris Old Chapel blurs with the open landscape beyond, creating a sense of openness and privacy. Seating areas at the front, at the back and along the side of the house offer multiple spots to sit. Directly to the rear of the house is a balcony, ideal for summertime dining.



Out and About



The coastline of this part of Cornwall is breathtaking and is dotted with plenty of sandy shores and hidden coves. Some of the county's finest beaches can be easily reached by car.



For daily amenities, nearby Mousehole has a wonderful offering of independent shops, as well as an attractive village bay and beachfront. Connections across the west Cornwall coastline are excellent, with the popular destinations of St Ives, Porthcurno, Sennen, and Land's End easily reached.



The picturesque fishing village of Newlyn is a short drive away; an area that has long been associated with artists who have been attracted by the light, the sea and the historic architecture. The ‘Newlyn School’ is among the best known of the artist groups. Similarly, St Ives, with its long-standing artistic legacy, is easily reached and is home to an outpost of Tate St Ives and plenty of galleries, including Barbara Hepworth's studio and garden.



Four miles away, Penzance is the last major town on the Lands End Peninsula and has one of the mildest climates in the UK. The Isles of Scilly ferry sails regularly to the islands throughout the summer. The Jubilee Pool, originally built in the 1930s, is one of the last remaining saltwater tidal pools in Europe. Penzance train station is the last stop on the Great Western Railway and provides regular services to London and Plymouth.



Council Tax Band: E