6 churches to convert into your business dream for sale right now in Australia
Churches all over the world have been successfully converted into stunning commercial, residential and cultural spaces.
Swapping pews for pints, many have been reborn as restaurants, cafes, craft breweries and cocktail bars, with religious-themed names such as The Confessional, State of Grace or The Altar Bar.
Capitalising on their history and architecture, often featuring high ceilings and glass-stained windows, investing in a repurposed church could be just the divine calling your next chapter needs.
Whatever its next incarnation – from unique stays to luxe homes, creative hubs to co-working spaces, yoga halls to wedding venues, libraries to bookstores – the list of worthy resurrections is infinite.
Here are six old churches praying for a buyer to get you started.
Launceston
Known famously as “the old white church with the paint peeling off”, this Gothic revival-style building was built in 1859 and has become a well-known Tasmanian landmark.
Take advantage of all the hard work already done to revive the church into office space, with original flooring and arched stained glass windows adding a different touch.
The current owner, guided holiday specialist Tasmanian Walking Company, is letting go of the former Chalmers Church after buying the architectural space as their headquarters in 2023.
“True beauty comes from within, but we love the character that the shabby exterior brings to the building,” the company’s website reads.
“The church was bought and sold multiple times, and was even a residence in the 1900s. Graeme and Jodie Walker purchased the church in 2011, and the transformation of the new Chalmers began.”
The church was deconsecrated in 1981 and renovated over several years, before being tenanted by a design company, Walker Designs, in 2014 for nine years.
The church was designed by architect William Henry Clayton and named after Scottish preacher Thomas Chalmer.
Orange
In the thriving food and wine hub of Orange, a charming 1920s church is offering buyers the chance to reimagine a true local landmark. Positioned on a prominent corner at the town’s well-known Five Ways intersection, the deconsecrated building blends heritage charm with commercial upside, underpinned by an existing development approval for a cafe or wine bar.
The interiors boast soaring vaulted ceilings, original timber detailing and Gothic-style masonry. Set on an approximately 850 square metre site on the fringe of the CBD, the property benefits from strong passing traffic and proximity to Orange’s established dining and tourism scene.
Thornbury
Located in a tightly held corner of Melbourne’s vibrant inner north, this 1422 square-metre site includes a former church, hall and cottage – and it’s looking for its next owner.
Just seven kilometres from the CBD, the property is in a prime location with three street frontages and is well-connected with both the tram line and Thornbury and Croxton train stations, only moments away.
The high-profile corner site is also close to Thornbury’s eclectic mix of shops, cafes and restaurants, as well as Northcote Public Golf Course and Mayer Park.
Carlton
In Melbourne’s tightly held inner north, a rare opportunity has emerged to reimagine a former church at 148–150 Queensberry Street. Set on a 362 square metre city-fringe landholding, the vacant single-level building offers a flexible canvas for adaptive reuse, with mixed-use zoning supporting a range of potential outcomes, from hospitality to creative or commercial applications (STCA).
Framed by high-profile street frontage and rear laneway access, the property combines heritage character with development upside, allowing buyers to occupy, refurbish or completely reposition the site. Its location between the University of Melbourne and RMIT, and within walking distance of Lygon Street’s renowned dining strip, further enhances its appeal as a future destination venue or business concept attracting high foot traffic both day and night.
Campbells Creek
If you’re after space, then look no further than the gold rush town of Campbell’s Creek.
This “rare and exciting” historic property operated as a school for over 40 years and features an original Methodist church that dates to 1860.
With seven extensive school buildings that sit on a hectare of land, this property offers endless possibilities.
Fish Creek
This stunning church conversion dubbed ‘The Church House’ was once featured on Grand Designs Australia and although it’s already been repurposed, it’s too good not to include in this round-up.
The property was designed as a gourmet retreat with luxurious accommodation across four bedrooms, each with ensuites along with a converted bus for a more secluded experience.
The entrance to Wilsons Promontory National Park is just a short 20-minute drive away, while Melbourne is easily reached in two and a half hours.
