Rare western Sydney church and rectory on the market

• Mid-century Vaucluse church back on the market after only six months
• Sydney church with 145 years of history sells in five minutes at auction

A rare historical church in western Sydney that hasn’t been used for worship in more than four decades is being sold together with an accompanying hall and large rectory that has been used as a private home for many years.

The history of the estate, formerly owned by the Anglican Church, can be traced back to the early 1800s, although the oldest of the three buildings, the church, dates from 1878.

The heritage-listed buildings at 313 Seven Hills Road, Seven Hills sit on a large landholding of 6100 square metres and were referred to in the heritage listing as one of the most ”architecturally significant pre-1900 groups of buildings between Parramatta and Windsor”.

Selling agent Leanne Nehme, from LJ Hooker Baulkham Hills, did not disclose a price guide, but said she had been in contact with church organisations about the property, due to its ‘place of worship’ rights.

“It is a very unique opportunity because it’s so rare to get this type of landholding,” she said. 

“We would anticipate developers and community organisations approach us for the expressions of interest sales campaign.

The property is expected to draw interest from church groups due to its ‘place of worship’ rights. Photo: Supplied

“I feel that there’s more commercial viability in other realms or it could be re-purposed and built for the church for other facilities such as counselling services. Alternately the old rectory could become accommodation for pastors and nuns.”

The property has 2A residential zoning, meaning it could be used for another community facility for another place of worship, childcare facilities, boarding homes or group homes.

A development application for seniors housing on part of the site is currently on exhibition with Blacktown City Council. It comprises 10 self-contained units, basement car parking, at an estimated cost of $6 million.

The land was originally donated to the Anglican church in the early 1800s by the family of Matthew Pearce, an English free settler who was granted 160 acres in 1795, known now as Seven Hills, Baulkham Hills and Kings Langley.

Four of the six windows in the church were dedicated to members of the Pearce family.

The last church service was in 1977 and afterwards the property was sold to its current private owner in 1980.

The Victorian-style rectory has been meticulously restored and used as a five-bedroom private residence.

The church hall was built approximately five years after the church and the rectory a few years after than in 1891.

The old heritage-listed church was built in 1878. Photo: Supplied

The church needs repairs – according to the State Heritage listing the building “structurally has two main faults – insufficient foundations and possible water entry from the gutters.

“Though in need of underpinning for long term preservation, the building is quite safe and structurally stable.”

In 1978 the Anglican Church proposed demolishing the church and hall and subdividing the property but had the proposal rejected by The Heritage Council.