The former Catholic churches at Granya and Eskdale will be auctioned on the same day later this month.

Both properties are owned by the Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst but are being sold owing to a long-term decrease in parishioner numbers in those districts.

Brian Unthank Real Estate director Susan Hanrahan said the likely affordability of the older buildings had been noticed by purchasers from Melbourne.

“We’ve had huge inquiry on them as far as people wanting to buy them as residences,” she said.

“People looking for a little slice of heaven, shall I say, in the Tallangatta area, they’re beautiful spots.”

The Granya listing, formerly St Joseph’s Catholic Church, is a weatherboard building with an iron roof sitting on 0.8 of a hectare.

Considered well-cared for and in good, external repair, the premises needs internal refurbishment.

Sandhurst Diocese bought the site on November 14, 1921. Regular services ceased some years ago and Mass was last celebrated by only a handful of parishioners on Good Friday in 2010.

The former St Patrick’s Catholic Church, Eskdale, has concrete construction and render and an iron roof.

Built after the site was bought on August 3, 1922, the building’s original features include lead light windows and solid wooden doors.

The land size is 2300 square metres.

According to the diocese, Mass was last celebrated by a small congregation about 2012.

Mrs Hanrahan said most people inquiring about the sales wished to maintain, not demolish, the buildings.

She said the Eskdale one particularly could be transformed.

“It’s a lovely old building and it certainly would renovate nicely into a home,” she said.

Other possible uses, subject to council approval, could include a studio, art gallery, tourism or public use.

The Granya auction will be held on site, 5 Conness Street, on Friday, January 27, at 11am.

At 2pm that day, the Eskdale church at 3794 Omeo Highway will be auctioned on site.