The former Warepa Presbyterian Church is now home to the den Dulk clan of four children aged from four to eight, as well as to Russell den Dulk and Mrs den Dulk.
When they are not raising the children and enjoying the South Otago lifestyle, attention turns towards converting the old church's Sunday school room to a large art gallery.
For Mrs den Dulk it is a labour of love, and the start of a long-held dream to have a permanent gallery to display her work and that of other South Otago artists.
Originally from Invercargill, Mrs den Dulk (31) has lived and worked in many places around the lower South Island, including Kaka Point and Dunedin.
When the couple spied the old church at Warepa, south of Balclutha, they could see its potential, not just as a family home but a base for Mrs den Dulk to pursue her dream of being a full-time artist.
"It's the ideal spot here. Perfect for painting," Mrs den Dulk said.
But finding sufficient time in the day is easier said than done.
"There just aren't enough hours most days to even find time for painting," laughed Mrs den Dulk.
Although she studied art at high school, Mrs den Dulk never actively pursued a career until deciding to go full-time three years ago.
Her husband gave up a lucrative job to raise the children, while she began trying to forge a career in the competitive art industry.
She was recently asked to exhibit at Auckland's Monterey Gallery in Howick, and has sold four of the five paintings she took there - an important breakthrough into the Auckland gallery scene, where she could earn massive exposure for her works.
For now, her paintings take pride of place in the church's large room, which doubles as the main bedroom.
But that will all change over the next year, as she looks to finish plans for a gallery which she hopes will not only display her paintings but the work of others.
The self-taught artist describes her work as "contemporary", with influences of Picasso evident in some pieces.
Her trademark paintings of poppies have so far been the most popular.
Mrs den Dulk said there are very few places for South Otago artists to exhibit their wares, and the church may well become a focal point for other artists, potters and crafts people.
"There is nothing much here at Warepa so, you never know, it could be the start of something," she said.
