Former churches and buildings in South Australia’s mid-north have found new custodians, thanks to a Barry Plant agent.

Adelaide-based Barry Plant Norwood director Elesa Wood who has sold multiple churches in the area has developed a passion for selling such properties, which are becoming more available in the market.

“I feel a connection to their provenance and they are delightfully unique in their own way,” she said.

“And am privileged to be entrusted with finding new custodians who may restore or revive them for future generations,” Ms Wood said.

Ms Wood also enjoyed the research, often discovering valuable information in local booklets.

“I do the write-ups myself, it’s a lot of fun,” she said.

“I love being involved in the process.”

The buyers are often those wanting to move to the region to raise their children, retire, set up a business or indulge their interests, Ms Wood said.

The former church of St Thomas and rectory in Hamley Bridge recently sold to a young Adelaide couple with a penchant for properties steeped in history.

They paid $270,000 for the 1850sq m property at 31 Makin Street, which also drew an offer from a Sydney buyer.

“I sensed the Adelaide buyers had a passion for this type of property,” she said.

“They have plans to renovate both character buildings, and turn one into their holiday house and the other into a B&B.”

Offered for sale for the first time by the Anglican Diocese, the slice of local history includes a stone church, built in 1889.

With feature red brick quoins, it displays its original working bell and leadlight windows that offer tributes to the local community.

Also known as The Cottage, the two-bedroom rectory displays original floorboards, metal ceilings, touches of leadlight and space for a living/dining/kitchen conversion.

The property makes an ideal weekender or business opportunity in the charming little town, just about an hour’s drive from Adelaide, Ms Wood said.

In Yacka, the Anglican Diocese also recently sold the former St James Church at Lot 95 Broughton Road, for $185,000.

“It attracted strong interstate interest and multiple offers,” Ms Wood said.

“And sold to a buyer from Perth, who grew up in this region.”

Built in 1894, the stone church with red brick quoins and leadlight has been lovingly maintained over the years.

“It’s in the best condition of any church I’ve sold,” Ms Wood said.

“It doesn’t even have a crack in it.”

The buyer planned to retire near his family in the area and convert the church into a retreat.

“It’s on a beautiful big 4000sq m on two titles, with room to build a dwelling and establish an orchard,” Ms Wood said.

The buyer could also start a short-term rental business at the property, she added.

Yacka is near the Clare Valley wine region, a prime tourist destination about two hours north of Adelaide.

Holiday accommodation is becoming more popular in the area, particularly for travellers wanting to explore the Flinders Ranges and beyond, Ms Wood said.

Nearby, in Mintaro, a collector of antique cameras and movie paraphernalia recently snapped up the former Thomas Cox butcher shop, circa 1856, at 63 Burra Street, for $260,000.

The property attracted multiple offers, including one from a well-known Australian fashion retailer, Ms Wood said.

The buyer from the Adelaide Hills, who had been looking for this type of property for years, planned to convert the shop into a museum of cinematography.

“The locals are thrilled with the idea,” Ms Wood said.

An historic relic with an industrial edge, the building features two large rooms with metal ceilings, low-hanging light fittings and Mintaro slate floors.

It stands on a corner block in the heart of the town’s historic precinct opposite the iconic Magpie And Stump Hotel.

Located about 126m north of Adelaide, Mintaro has long been regarded as one of the region's most captivating destinations with magnificent walking trails, wineries, art galleries, eateries and boutique accommodation.

It is also famous for its slate deposits used extensively in buildings in the area, and Martindale Hall, which featured in the movie, Picnic At Hanging Rock.