Unique property opportunity with Christian history

Behind the church of All Saints Hethel nestles a pair of cottages that probably date back to the 1700s. King John’s Thorn (KJT) has been home to Peter and Cathy Nicholls for the last 22 years, and is about to go on the market as the couple move on.
 

In an effort to explore whether God has someone in mind to succeed them, they are publicising through Christian channels before placing the cottages with an estate agent. As they see it, the right people – for KJT, for this cul-de-sac part of Hethel and for All Saints – are more important than extracting the last penny of value.

What is unusual is the Christian ministry of the cottages and those who have lived there for the past sixty years. South Cottage was home to a missionary first on furlough and then in retirement and when unoccupied stayed in by people on retreat, needing a short-term home, needing a break or rest, on holiday or needing sanctuary. It’s housed Syrian refugees for a month and, for the last almost three years, a Ukrainian woman and her son. In all cases, it’s been on a “whatever you can afford” basis, making it possible for those not able to pay AirBnB prices to enjoy the cottage’s peace, space and beauty. However, if it were necessary to put it on a full commercial footing, South Cottage could be a significant income stream. Much prayer has gone up from South Cottage from very many everyday Christians, numerous clergy and even a bishop, and this is reflected in the spiritual atmosphere.

Meanwhile North Cottage has been home to Peter and Cathy, and (the late) Jo before them – all passionate followers of Jesus who have sought God’s calling on their lives over many years. North Cottage, then, exudes God’s shalom peace and as such has been a place of both fun and healing for the many who have stayed.

North Cottage has two bedrooms and a shower room upstairs, with kitchen/dining/day space, sitting room, large study and bathroom downstairs. The older South Cottage has two bedrooms and loo/washroom upstairs; sitting room, kitchen/dining/conservatory and shower room downstairs. There are three substantial outbuildings and a garage.

The garden is an important part of what KJT is as its calmness and space spills into the cottages. As well as productive fruit bushes, fruit trees and vegetable raised beds, there are a number of different areas like the woodland walk, the south garden with flower beds, a small ornamental pond, the north grass for parties and the grass for games in front of the cottages. Although it runs to 0.4 acre, Peter and Cathy keep it in fair shape on a few hours a week. It is always much appreciated by visitors, who love the variety of places to pitch, in sun or shade or the summerhouse.

The church next door is small, beautiful in its simplicity and set in a conservation churchyard that sings with wildflowers from spring to autumn. It’s valued by many who pass by, for prayer, for contemplation, for peace and for its hospitable offer of a hot drink and a toilet. The monthly communion service is buttressed with a number of ‘specials’ during the year, many of which support the church’s Eco Church Silver status. A number of café events take place as does the occasional amateur music event or talk. This aspect of the church’s life is ripe for development.

Peter and Cathy know that it’s wrong to try to control God’s future and that what happens here will change and evolve. Nevertheless it would bless them to sense that the two cottages’ ministry of hospitality will be continued into the future, that the people who come to live here love nature and the environment and that they have a heart for God’s church next door.

If you’d like to know more about this rare opportunity to live in this special place, please get in touch with Peter - hethel@allbelievers.org, 01508 570557 or WhatsApp 07939 066904.