Couple's Dream Home Project Reveals Medieval Burial Ground Beneath Church Floor
In a remarkable property transformation story, a family in Wales has discovered that their unique home renovation project sits atop a significant historical burial site. Lucy and Rhys Thomas embarked on an ambitious journey to convert a medieval church into their family residence, only to uncover dozens of human remains during the process.
Unexpected Discovery During Renovation Works
The couple purchased the 900-year-old St Peters Church in Peterstone Wentlooge, Wales, at auction in 2021 for £405,000, completely captivated by the building's character and potential. What they initially believed would be a straightforward conversion of an already-modified building turned out to be a much more complex undertaking when they discovered the Grade I-listed structure had never actually been converted from its original ecclesiastical use.
The real surprise came when archaeological work began on the church floor. While experts had warned the couple they might encounter "five or six" bodies given historical burial practices for influential community members within church buildings, the actual discovery far exceeded expectations. Workers uncovered "body after body" during excavations, eventually totalling 83 individual skeletons buried beneath the medieval stone flooring.
Respectful Approach to Historical Remains
Faced with this unexpected situation, Lucy and Rhys made a conscious decision to treat the remains with dignity and respect. Rather than disturbing the centuries-old burials, they chose to leave the skeletons in their original resting places and continue their building work around them.
"People were buried together – husbands and wives, parents with children," explained Lucy, 53. "So we decided to leave them in their final resting places and continue the build around them."
The couple worked with archaeologists throughout the process, particularly during the initial floor excavations that went down approximately 40 centimetres. What began as an uncomfortable discovery gradually became a accepted part of their extraordinary renovation journey.
Four-Year Transformation of Medieval Structure
The conversion project took the family four years to complete, transforming the church founded in 1142 into a modern family home while preserving its historical character. Located between Cardiff and Newport, the building required extensive work as no previous conversion had taken place despite the couple initially believing they were viewing a ready-made five-bedroom property.
Rhys, 45, described the process as "a bit of a challenging job – we just learnt as we went along," with the family spending considerable time researching and consulting listed building experts during the 18-month planning permission phase when they could only make minimal progress.
Preserving Historical Features While Adding Modern Comforts
The renovation carefully balanced preservation of original features with the introduction of contemporary amenities. The couple removed and repurposed the 100-year-old stone floor themselves before having a stonemason relaid it as an exterior patio. They maintained the church tower and its eight bells, restoring the ropes to make them functional once more.
Professional builders were brought in to construct a mezzanine flitch frame that allowed the church walls to remain completely untouched. Modern additions include double glazing, underfloor heating, a snooker table, a bar area, and even a hot tub, creating a unique blend of medieval architecture and contemporary living.
The completed conversion now serves as both a family home and occasionally as an Airbnb property, allowing others to experience this extraordinary piece of living history. The couple's respectful approach to the unexpected burial discovery has created a home that honours both past inhabitants and present occupants in equal measure.
