churches closed - CathNews New Zealand

More churches than pubs in the UK

admin — Thu, 13 Jun 2019 08:20:05 +0000

There are now more church buildings than pubs in the UK, according to figures announced last month by the National Churches Trust.

But the number of churches overall is falling too, just not as fast. Read more

More churches than pubs in the UK

Catholic Church disapproves of turning former churches into breweries

admin — Thu, 12 Oct 2017 07:20:53 +0000

Breweries opening in former churches are winning fans but earning disapproval from clergy and worshippers across the U.S. At least 10 new breweries have opened in former churches since 2011 and at least four more are slated to open within the next year.

Catholic Church disapproves of turning former churches into breweries... Read more

Church bell tower converted into penthouse

admin — Thu, 02 Jun 2016 17:02:08 +0000

The bell tower of an old church on Adelaide Road in the Wellington suburb of Newtown has been converted into a luxurious penthouse.

The former St James Presbyterian church near the Wellington Hospital has been completely rebuilt to accommodate five new apartments.

The 176 square-metre penthouse, the last apartment in the development to be sold, has retained all the character features of the historic 1880s church, including a massive 4.5m stud, vaulted timber ceilings and a dramatic rose window.

And it comes with spectacular 360 degree views from the tower room at the top.

Real Estate Agent Pano Focas says he wouldn't even want to hazard a guess as to what the penthouse might fetch.

The other five apartments in the former church "blew away sales records for the area" last month, and there were 10 tenders for each property.

"The interest was huge," he says.

"I have never been so run off my feet in 12 years in real estate."

Focas says he cannot reveal the selling prices until after settlement, but says they "exceeded expectations".

He said the project was a "labour of love" for developer Sheryl-Maree Gulliver, who has a background in the restoration of historic buildings and was passionate about maintaining the quality of the build.

Source

stuff.co.nz
Image: stuff.co.nz

Church bell tower converted into penthouse

Two more churches become upmarket residences

admin — Mon, 18 Apr 2016 17:01:00 +0000

Declining church attendance has given rise to a steady stream of churches being converted into upmarket residences

Two more former churches have recently gone on the market.

In Wellington the former St James Presbyterian Church in Newtown's Adelaide Rd, has been completely rebuilt to accommodate five new apartments.

Architect Simon Novak of Novak + Middleton Architects, the firm commissioned to design the rebuild, says the project has been nothing short of "sensational".

Novak says right from the outset the team worked closely with Heritage New Zealand, which gave the church a Category 2 listing in 1982.

The building is also listed with the Wellington City Council.

In Auckland a former Congregational Church in Swanson has sold under the hammer for $1.17 million.

The sale price was $400,000 greater than the CV of $770,000 - nearly 52 per cent more.

Four bidders competed for the heritage-listed property, which has been in private hands since 1976 when it was sold by the Methodist congregation.

When did regular church attendance peak in New Zealand?

Source

Two more churches become upmarket residences

Extremist groups attack Christians in Aceh

admin — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 19:30:20 +0000

Concern is growing among Christians in the province of Aceh, victims of a series of recent attacks by extremist groups or unknown assailants, reports AsiaNews.

The violence against Christians in Aceh is worsened by the policy of local authorities who, instead of halting attacks, continue closing churches and prayer halls for the (alleged) lack of building permits, required for all construction in Indonesia (religious and non-religious).

Extremist groups attack Christians in Aceh