Inner West Council Rejects Heritage Listing for Marrickville Church of Christ, Supports Housing Conversion

The Inner West Council voted narrowly against designating the Church of Christ in Marrickville as a heritage site, opting instead to support its conversion into affordable housing. The decision marks the end of a lineage of religious buildings in the area that spanned 165 years, with the Church of Christ being the final remaining structure. The congregation, which operates Fresh Hope—a community housing and charity organization—has long been involved in providing affordable housing options.

Save Marrickville, a local group advocating for community, environmental, and future-focused planning, backed the heritage listing. They argued that preserving the building’s historical and cultural value was essential to maintaining the character of Marrickville’s town centre. Paul Mortimer of Save Marrickville emphasized the importance of balancing affordable housing with heritage preservation, stating that communities should not be forced to choose between the two.

Councillor Tom Kiat, a member of the Greens, broke from his party to oppose the heritage listing. However, he proposed recognizing the building’s heritage significance and suggested exploring ways to incorporate its elements into the housing project. He recommended engaging with the Churches of Christ Property Trust and Nightingale Housing to discuss potential designs that honor the building’s heritage while meeting modern housing needs.

Marrickville Library, an award-winning example of integrating heritage with new development, was cited as a model for how the church-to-housing conversion could proceed. Greens Councillor Louise Steer praised the library’s success, noting that it serves the community’s needs while preserving historical elements. She argued that the project should aim to integrate the church’s heritage rather than discard it entirely.

Nightingale Housing, the organization behind the proposed development, has stated that incorporating the Church of Christ’s façade or other parts of the building into their design is not feasible. The housing project is being built under boarding house legislation, and the council has raised concerns about Nightingale’s plans exceeding the legal guidelines.

Philippa Clarke, a journalist and student, has personally benefited from church-sponsored affordable housing in the Inner West. She highlighted the value of such housing for young people, noting that church landlords often maintain properties with care and respond to residents’ needs. She believes churches can play a vital role in addressing contemporary housing challenges.

Source: Read the original report