First Church of Christ Scientist, Darlinghurst

The First Church of Christ Scientist, Darlinghurst will be converted into residential units should the City of Sydney approve a development application.  The National Trust has argued that the building should be retained as a functioning place of worship.

The Trust has been approached by another congregation that is keen to purchase the church to maintain it as a public building.  However, the new proposal supersedes an existing recent approval for a removable residential pod within the building.

The Trust believes that conversion of The First Church of Christ Scientist is emblematic of problems with blanket zonings.  The National Trust raised this issue in its submission to the NSW Planning Review.  Land containing civic activities when rezoned for residential purposes will seek to approach its highest economic use.

The inclusion of schools, heritage homes and churches within adjoining medium to high density zonings will have a detrimental impact on these items.  It is disingenuous to suggest that market forces will not work tirelessly over time to accommodate the zoning’s objective.

The City of Sydney’s approval of the placement pod in the First Church of Christ Scientist, Darlinghurst displaces a church congregation of 1,500 people for one resident.  The Trust is concerned that more congregations, students and heritage buildings will be displaced over time.


The First Church of Christ Scientist building is listed on the National Trust register.  A nomination for the listing of this building and its pipe organ on the State Heritage Register is being prepared.  The Organ Historical Trust of Australia has agreed to assist with and support this nomination.