Khaberni - A British couple bought a Grade I listed historic church in the village of Peterstone Wentlooge, Wales, with the purpose of converting it into a residential home, before the restoration project uncovered an unexpected surprise beneath the floor.
Lucy (53 years old) and Rees Thomas (45 years old) decided to purchase the historic St. Peter's Church at an auction, while experts warned them of the possibility of finding 5 or 6 bodies, as it was customary to bury the wealthy and influential figures inside the churches in the past.
According to the "Daily Mail", the couple paid 405,000 pounds for the building dating back to the 12th century, assuming that the conversion work had been previously completed, before it turned out that the church was almost still in its original state and required a full rehabilitation.
The story began immediately after the removal of the wooden floors for the purpose of restoration, where dozens of aligned human skeletons appeared, in a scene that exceeded all expectations, bringing the final count to 83 skeletons.
Lucy explained that having an archaeologist was necessary while digging at a depth of 40 centimeters, noting that it was awkward initially, but they gradually adapted to the situation, as they noticed the bodies were buried together as families, husbands with their wives and parents with their children.
In a surprising move, the couple decided to leave the remains in their last resting places out of respect for the dead, and continued to build around the skeletons, installing a new floor over them along with a modern underfloor heating system.
The project took 4 years since purchasing the church established in 1142 in 2021, with the couple waiting 18 months to obtain building permits from the local council before starting the actual work.
Rees acknowledged that the task was a big challenge, as they relied on online research and joining historical building groups to learn restoration techniques.
In related developments, the rundown church was transformed into a stunning property with 6 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms, as the couple preserved the original features of the church while adding modern touches, including double-glazed windows, a billiard table, a grand piano, a bar area, and a hot tub.
The couple removed the 100-year-old floor themselves and placed it outside the property as a patio while preserving all the original engravings.
The property is currently listed on Airbnb for rent, and Lucy is proud of the achievement, stating that they put their hearts and souls into this project and would repeat the experience without hesitation.
