The Church, Gawler Barossa Region, South Australia

30/07/2026

🌹10years ago today.
🌹Our most beloved day.
🌹Our most blessed life.
🌹On Earth now, as in Heaven.
🌹Happy Anniversary sweetheart.
🌹Peace, love & light to you.
🌹Your wife forevermore, Karen.
❤️🌈💙💒🌹🙏

29/07/2026

A brisk Winters day to continue pruning & tidying the gardens, ready for Spring. The sunshine was beautiful & I discovered more lillies in places I never planted them, the tiniest bird nest I have ever seen & butterfly bushes & seaside daisies spreading nicely. The fallen leaves from all the back trees created great mulch for the front gardens. I have popped sage, rosemary & lavender into vases inside, to cleanse the air & to propogate them. A huge Monarch danced around the sage & the bees were loving the lavender. Lots of plans spinning around in my mind, to take the gardens up a notch. Then the end of my garden day was graced with a full rainbow across the sky. Its appearance the day before a very special occasion here tomorrow, was a wonderful sight. A sign of colourful meaning for me. Heaven is always watching ...
Karen,
Historic Home Owner & Keeper of
THE CHURCH Gawler Barossa Region
❤️💒🌤🦋🌹🌿🌳🌈🙏

13/07/2026

A little reminder, 'bless this home', as the first page of our new chapter together here opens ... ❤️💒🙏

01/07/2026

Thank you so much to everyone who acknowledged my previous announcement! I really appreciate all the comments, emojis, calls & messages. As I said in a few individual replies, the TC is changing its current format as of 1July, to similar but different. For those who know me well, know that planning, organising & managing are my forte & sitting still is simply not my style. The TC quietly watches as I buzz around the place & as it has for 159years, sits strong & proud in our local landscape, wondering what on Earth I could be up to next! I have a variety of ideas, which I will sow & grow, just as I did from my blank canvas in 2016, when I had a blessed building, an idea & a hospitality thread in my dna. The best part is that I now call it home, after 16years of owning it, so that is the first step in a whole new direction. With my ancestry hailing from Mallala, Wasleys, Gawler & Clare since the 1850s, I feel very much like I have returned 'from whence I came' ... so here's to a new chapter in this time capsule made of stone & mortar, faith & goodness.
Blessings from the 'TC' & me!
Kindest Regards
Karen, Historic Home Owner & Keeper of 'The Church' Gawler Barossa Region
❤️💒🙏

30/06/2026

A BLESSED NOTE!
Today, after 10 wonderful years of operating my beloved abode as an exclusive accommodation guest home in the beautiful Gawler Barossa Region of South Australia, I am closing THE CHURCH doors in its current format & we are stepping into a new chapter together. Reflecting on this remarkable journey through treasured photographs & memories reminds me of the countless experiences, friendships & special moments that have shaped this decade, for which I am profoundly grateful.

My late husband, David, encouraged me to pursue my dream of opening a guest home. When THE CHURCH launched online on 25 April 2016, it became a beautiful expression of my family's local history, together with my passion for hospitality & business. Just weeks later, on 30 July 2016, David & I celebrated our wedding within its sacred walls & gardens. Only 4 months later, David sadly passed away from prostate cancer. In the years that followed, THE CHURCH became my sanctuary between guest bookings - a place of healing, reflection & remembrance, where the story of our life together remains lovingly preserved.

Since opening, THE CHURCH has welcomed more than 3,500 guests from around the world & has been honoured with numerous accolades, including winning a South Australian Tourism Award in 2024. These achievements reflect the professionalism, integrity & values David & I shared & I dedicate this chapter to him & my Mum, both whose unwavering belief in me made so much possible.

To every guest who stepped across THE CHURCH doorstep & to my professional & personal circles who supported & encouraged me throughout this journey, thank you. This decade has required courage, resilience & determination & I am immensely proud of all that has been achieved.

As one chapter closes & another begins, my wish is simple. Take care of yourselves, be at peace, shine your light & do all things with love, kindness & purpose. May we continue to cherish the places that hold our history & stories, for they are part of what makes South Australia & Australia, such remarkable places to call home.

Blessings from me & THE CHURCH.

Kindest Regards,

Karen Vial
Historic Home Owner & Keeper of
THE CHURCH Gawler Barossa Region

❤️🏰🌈🌹🦋🙏

19/06/2026

🌟Retaining history. It is so important to keep the threads of the past alive.👏

14/06/2026

❤🖼🎨👏

Not sure what to do this weekend?
Pop into the Gawler Community Gallery, it's reopened at it's new location, and it has a fantastic exhibition called The Julia Mannix Photography Prize running.

14/06/2026

❤🥂🥗🍷🥘👏

Winter in the Barossa brings a slower rhythm: a season of crisp mornings, glowing fires, and moments best shared with family, friends and community.

As the vines rest and the landscape settles into a winter palette, this issue of Barossa Mag celebrates the people, stories and businesses that continue to bring warmth and connection to our region.

With milestones, inventions, and many hidden gems worth discovering, you'll find plenty of reasons to embrace the season and appreciate the spirit that makes the Barossa such a special place to be.

Whether you prefer a full-bodied Shiraz, or a locally-brewed cup of coffee, we invite you to sip and savour as you delve into another edition filled with heartfelt local stories.

You'll find the winter edition available first in this week's Leader newspaper.

Cover story — The father of invention
Cover photo by

13/06/2026

The reviews continue, this time from my recent guests from Singapore. Sometimes I meet guests I feel I have known for years & this was very much so. Happy conversation, a delightful interaction & they thoroughly enjoyed their stay! They LOVE churches & have stayed in a few around the world which are now homes. Bless!