Дом-церковь в Онтарио продается с нулевым налогом из-за захоронения ветерана войны 1812 года

Lyn Downer, of the War of 1812 Veteran Graveside Recognition Project, is joined by Wally Vrooman, Regional Coun. Ted Smith, John Henderson (a family member of Vrooman’s), Carol Doran-Sproule and Larry Doble for the installation of a plaque honouring Colonel James Vrooman in 2014. This converted church in Ontario listed for $1.3M comes with $0 property taxes but there’s a catch — and it involves a War of 1812 veteran The former country church in Sunderland has been transformed into a minimalist luxury home, while preserving its Gothic arch windows, exposed roof trusses, and original brick — details that connect it to the settlement founded by veteran Col. James Vrooman nearly 200 years ago. A converted church in Sunderland, Ont., listed at $1,299,900 comes with an unusual perk — $0 in annual property taxes, thanks to a small on-site cemetery where a War of 1812 hero is buried. The former country church has been transformed into a minimalist luxury home while preserving its Gothic arch windows, exposed roof trusses, and original brick — details that connect it to the settlement founded by veteran Col. James Vrooman nearly 200 years ago. What does this converted Sunderland church look like inside? ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW The former country church along Sideroad 17A in Sunderland, Ont. looks like an ordinary place of worship you’d typically find outside the GTA. From the outside, it looks like a church you’d find in a Netflix movie. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW But inside, the church transforms into a minimalist modern oasis, complete with contemporary amenities like a Viking professional range amid quartz counters in a designer kitchen and a “spa-inspired” bathroom with a soaker tub. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Despite the modern renovations, a few clues whisper about its holy past, including the Gothic arch and rose windows, original church brick accents, Romeo and Juliet staircase and exposed roof trusses. There are also repurposed pieces, such as one in the bathroom that looks like it came from the pulpit or an altar cabinet. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Once a place of worship, it’s no surprise that the property boasts more than 25 parking spaces with the vast surrounding Sunderland countryside offering plenty more. Why does this Ontario church home pay $0 in property taxes? According to the listing, the property currently comes with $0 annual property taxes “due to maintenance of the small on-site cemetery.” The small cemetery is fully fenced, with only a few headstones located beside the property’s driveway entrance. No information is shared about who lies there or the history of the cemetery in the listing, but a search of the address and past reporting related to the property revealed more details about the church and the residents buried on site. Who is buried in the cemetery beside this Sunderland home? ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Among the very few buried in the small cemetery is war hero Colonel James Vrooman, a veteran of the War of 1812 (between the U.S. and Great Britain) who fought in the conflict’s most decisive battles. Col. Vrooman was involved in many British victories that eventually turned the tide of war, including the storming of Ogdensburg, the capture of the American Army at St. Regis, the raid of Oswego and the bloody battle of Lundy’s Lane that brought the war to a close, according to the Brock Citizen. After the declaration of peace between the two countries, Col. Vrooman was among the veterans awarded free grants of land. According to the Sunderland and District Historical Society, he received land on the 7th Concession of Brock for his military service and settled in the area the following year. He founded the settlement of Vroomanton and spent most of his life as a farmer while holding various public offices. He donated land for a school and a church, which eventually became St. James United Church in Vroomanton. Col. Vrooman and some members of his family are buried in the cemetery. Get our free morning newsletter. Top local headlines delivered to your inbox every morning. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. This newsletter is only available for subscribers. If you are already a subscriber, please login now. If you want to become subscriber, please click here Your gift purchase was successful!Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in. You will also start receiving our free morning newsletter soon.