One Roof editor Owen Vaughan says there will always be a market for quirky spaces with a sense of reverence. Some are converted into houses and others into commercial premises like eateries - or function venues like the former chapel at the Marist Seminary in Taradale.

But those considering buying a church need to be aware that they can be expensive to buy, renovate and maintain. Some are heritage listed.

Practical concerns

Wairarapa-based real estate agent David McHattie has a bit of experience, selling three churches in recent years.

"Once you actually bore down to the costs… for most people it becomes too hard" he says.

Wellington architect Simon Novak advises "You need to be passionate about it - and have time... You do it because you're in love with it".

That seems to be a commonly held view among agents and buyers.

Most churches that go on the market have been deconsecrated. The renovated and converted ones don't present buyers with much in the way of trouble, says Vaughan.

It's a different story if you have to convert the building. The churches are often old. Buyers could have "a kind of testing time" trying to get their renovation project through all the rules and regulations, Vaughn says.

Size is another issue to consider. Where renovating rooms in a house can be challenging, doing the same in a cavernous church space is something else.

"So you've got to have a lot of faith when you take on these projects" says Vaughn.

You also need to be brave

Lower Hutt couple Jane and Wayne Gillingham know about converting a church building. They bought Greytown's 1880-built Sacred Heart Church for $625,000.

They didn't have a plan for its use - they just wanted to repair its sorry-looking dilapidated state.

Once repair work started, local congregations began asking if they could use the building for services and social activities. The answer was "yes".

Now the building has a new roof, upgraded kitchen and bathrooms and a freshly landscaped garden. It will host weddings - which "might help pay the rates and insurance" - and community gatherings, the Gillinghams say.

On a completely different scale - and needing major seismic-strengthening work - is Oriental Bay's 1908-built St Gerard's monastery and chapel complex. Its new owners purchased it for a reported $4.65 million last year. They're keeping mum about the prominent landmark's future.

But even though there is an enthusiastic market, not everyone's brave enough - or wants to - live in a church, Vaughn comments.

"They're a bit like marmite" he says unexpectedly. "Not everyone likes them. Some think they're creepy. Others love living in them. They make popular Airbnb accommodation. Some love the stained glass and the ecclesiastical ambiance."

But there's certainly a market for the willing. And prices are still moderate Vaughn says.

Source

• Stuff
• NewstalkZB

Described as "arguably one of Wellington's most iconic and photographed buildings," St Gerard's on Hawker Street in Mount Victoria is to be sold by tender later this month. It has an RV of $16.9m.

The category one, heritage-listed buildings were acquired by the Institute for World Evangelisation (ICPE) Mission in 1990 for $540,000. It was used as a retreat and training centre for missionaries.

It closed almost two years ago after it was unable to raise enough funds to carry out the required earthquake-strengthening work.

The buildings are rated at 25 percent of the building standard. They need significant work to bring them up to current standards.

The last service was held in the church on 23 May 2021. The church has since been deconsecrated.

People are still living in the monastery. It has about 30 bedrooms and eight bathrooms.

The church was built in 1908 and the monastery in 1932. Both were designed by architects John Swan and Frederick de Jersey Clere.

The northern part of the building has impressive views out to Oriental Bay and over the harbour, while the western side looks out to the city's well-known landmarks such as Clyde Quay, the waterfront, CBD, the stadium and Victoria University.

"Most Wellingtonians will recognise St Gerard's Church and Monastery from anywhere in the city. It holds a special place in our hearts and has been overseeing all of Wellington's central city for over 100 years," Tommy's real estate says.

"By both day and night this visual display is unmatched in Wellington."

The church and monastery have remained relatively untouched over the last century. They showcase some of the most beautiful leadlight stained-glass mosaics in the country.

"This will be your one and only chance to purchase not a building but a piece of Wellington's history forever," the listing claims.

Tommy's agent James Copeland says there has been a lot of interest in the property from wealthy Wellington businessmen to overseas buyers looking at it both for development and as a private residence.

The buildings sit on 2433sqm of the city's most prime real estate. Its impressive size means it takes about an hour and a half to do a viewing.

"I've been surprised by the number of people and the ideas they've got at this stage about what they want to do with it."

Trying to put a value on it is impossible especially due to it requiring earthquake proofing and some refurbishment, he says.

"Depending on who the potential buyers might be, it just boils down to who might be prepared to pay to get the building.

"So with a closed tender there's no price range and I don't have a huge amount of expectation.

"Whatever comes in on the 16 March, I will obviously present to the owners along with their legal representative in New Zealand and we will just take it from there."

Source

• OneRoof

In a motion presented in the federal senate, the minister, Akram Masih Gill, who is a Catholic, said the attack on the city's Joseph Colony may have been instigated by a "land mafia" that wants to take possession of the area to promote real estate projects.

The attack was sparked by a dispute in which a Muslim man, Shafiq Ahmed, accused sanitary worker Sawan Masih, a Christian man in his 20s, of making defamatory comments against the prophet Mohammed, a crime punishable by death according to Pakistan's penal code.

Bishop Sebastian Shaw, OFM, apostolic administrator of Lahore archdiocese, said the Pakistan government knew two days before about the threat of the attack happening, but failed to act.

Speaking from the scene of the devastation, Bishop Shaw said the attack was "well organised" and could have been averted by adequate police protection.

The mob "used chemicals which only the army and other agencies have," he said. "People are very, very angry and sad. They are sad because they have lived together with the rest of the community for a long, long time. Now they are asking: 'Why is this happening to us?' "

Raja Asif, a Christian sanitation worker who has lived in the area for 35 years, said a large police contingent only looked on, fingering their weapons but not taking a step forward to stop the mobs from destroying the Christians' homes.

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari responded to the attack by announcing $6100 compensation for the victims, including rebuilding their homes.

Bishop Shaw said: "Even this amount of money will not heal the wounds and psychological fears of the people."

Sources:

Fides

Zenit

Christian Post

Image: Dawn.com