The best churches in the state are in the interior

They used to be God’s house–and now they are home to a large consumer elite, seeking the luxury of living with a divine twist.

More and more historical churches in New South Wales have undergone jaw-dropping makeovers that feature cathedral ceilings, stained glass windows and changing listings, turning into displays of large-screen TVs.

The former church – many buildings that once housed large congregations in large congregations before losing their use – have become magnets for developers to deliver on the city’s desire for character houses.

It is a real estate resurrection driven by changing values and cruel economics.

As congregations decrease across Australia and church attendance declines, many religious institutions are working to keep the costs of aging buildings rising.

Over the past decade, dozens of churches, especially those in the NSW region, have been quietly sold, attracting the builders’ bold vision and huge budget.

Real estate agent Holly Newbigging, an institution that has sold the church’s conversion, said buyers are attracted by many aspects of the family’s ownership.

“They do have something special,” she said. “The characters, history, sense of space, you simply can’t recreate them with standard builds.

“A house like this provides a rare opportunity to have architectural history and become modern life.”

One of the most recent sale is one of two homes converted from Old Mill Hill Church in Bondi Junction. The home sold for $4.25 million in February.

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Former boss Julie Phillips told the Sunday Telegraph shortly before selling the home in 2021 that she was “interested” in the “dramatic” style of the church turning into home.

She revealed that the house had a “wonderful atmosphere” and that she occasionally made people knock on the door and wondered when the church lawsuit began.

On the downside, it is located north of Wagga Wagga, an old presbyterian church converted into a modern five-bedroom, three-bathroom home now for sale.

Ms Newbigging said that the homes with disadvantages RD are a “model blend” of past and present.

“The main living, dining and kitchen areas occupy the downward Presbyterian church that was once built in 1937,” she said.

“The original brickwork and soaring ceilings have been beautifully preserved to create a sense of space and grandeur.”

The home is listed for $2.4 million, $1.7 million higher than the median Wagga Wagga price.

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In Waratah, a north-west suburb of Newcastle, the 1955 church of Station St has been converted into a current house and is now for sale. Price guides have not been released yet, but the automatic valuation on property.com.au estimates the home is worth about $2.6 million.

Once used by the Church of Solidarity, the property includes the church and hall next door.

The front hall is now a living area that maintains its tall cathedral ceilings and core stained glass windows.

In Orange, a church in 1 Bathurst Rd has been operating for over 100 years as a potential conversion site.

The church held its last service in 2018 and will be sold with McGrath Orange director Scott Petersen.

“I’m full of interest in distant interests,” Mr Peterson said. “Recent DA approvals have opened options like wine bars, cafes, restaurants or small event venues.”

According to the Australian Church, this is the location that Orange declared as the city in 1946.

Returning to Sydney, a striking sandstone church on Mocur St in Woollahra remains one of the oldest churches to be transformed into a residence.

The remodeled Gothic Cathedral turned luxury house was built in 1877 in 1877 and sold for $4.8 million.

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