Holy house hunters! A historic church in southwestern Ontario has gone up for sale with a starting bid of only $1.
鈥淚t was just listed yesterday and we have three showings booked for today,鈥� realtor Roy Rodrigues told CTV Kitchener on Wednesday. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a beautiful property.鈥�
Built in 1871, , Ont., is a . But while the building was erected nearly 150 years ago, its rich 20th century interior that led the now-decommissioned church to receive its historic designation in 1993.
Inside, colourful century-old stained glass windows cast kaleidoscopic light on walls where intricate murals, some as large as 5.5 metres, depict various parts of Jesus鈥� life. The murals were painted in 1936 by the Browne family, which decorated churches across the country.
鈥淭hey did it all across Canada,鈥� Nathan Etherington, who chairs Brantford鈥檚 Heritage Committee, told CTV Kitchener. 鈥淭hey are the most well-known.鈥�
The church will be sold at auction, Rodrigues added. The starting bid is one buck and bids will be held until June 12.
鈥淲e鈥檙e expecting multiple offers,鈥� Rodrigues added.
But while the church may have a National Historic Site designation, it is not on a protected register.
鈥淚t鈥檚 very worrisome in the sense that we know it鈥檚 not protected,鈥� Etherington said. 鈥淎nything could potentially happen.鈥�
The church is currently zoned institutional, but Rodrigues said that the city may be open to allowing other uses, like condos or a restaurant.
鈥淚鈥檓 sure that the new owners or the new investors that are going to be purchasing it will most likely keep it intact,鈥� Rodrigues said. 鈥淏ut then again, it鈥檚 up to the new owners.鈥�
With a report from CTV Kitchener鈥檚 Max Wark
