Melbourne churches are selling, and Melbourne residents are snapping up the unique homes.
A historic Melbourne church in Armadale with $5.5 million price hopes joins Victoria’s holy property boom.
The heritage-listed Uniting Church at 86B Kooyong Road reflects a statewide trend. Churches across Victoria are selling properties worth millions as congregations shrink.
Melbourne church up for sale
- Location: 86B Kooyong Road, Armadale
- Price guide: $5.5 million plus
- Listing here
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The Armadale church carries significant historical weight. Wealthy businessman James Munro laid its foundation stone in 1886. Munro served as Victorian Premier from 1880 to 1882.
The church showcases impressive architectural elements. These include a nave, transept, apsis, organ, tower and spire. An interconnected building serves as leased office space.
Stonnington Council heritage documents highlight the property’s historical significance. The connection to Munro adds particular value. He established coffee palaces across Melbourne, Geelong and Broken Hill during the 1800s.
The congregation made the difficult closure decision. Declining numbers and financial pressures forced their hand. Supporting a minister and other expenses over five years proved impossible.
A state-wide trend
This sale joins a broader Victorian trend. The Uniting Church Synod has listed 80 properties across five years. About 20 churches hit the market in the past 12 months alone.
Other significant church sales demonstrate the market’s scope. St George’s Presbyterian Church in Geelong carries $18 million expectations. The 1861 property represents premium church real estate.
St Kilda’s historic Presbyterian cathedral sold in December. The 1886 Alma Road property had a $3 million asking price.
Holy Trinity Church in Sebastopol, Ballarat offers more affordable entry. The 150-year-old Albert Street property lists for $900,000 through Colliers.
Many churches transform into unique residential properties. Soaring ceilings, stained glass windows and original bells create distinctive homes. Commercial investors also target larger cathedral properties.
PropTrack data reveals significant church-related listing activity. The platform recorded 7563 church-related listings over five years. Though, this includes properties mentioning ‘church’ in advertising copy.
Shrinking congregations drive many sales decisions. Maintaining historic buildings creates substantial ongoing costs. Denominations including Uniting and Anglican churches have sold multiple seven and eight-figure properties.
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