The Australia Cinema on Lords Place closed in 2010, leaving the vast building without a tenant until the Orange Evangelical Church moved in in January this year. 

The church bought the building in 2011 with a view to redeveloping the site to hold Sunday services, however the significant investment required made the project unviable. Instead it has been used as office space.

“Although this site has many benefits, including its central location, the cost has become too great,” senior minister Bruce Bennett said.

“We have decided to sell the cinema. We will continue to use the site for bible studies, offices, training and other events while it is on the market,” he said.

The church has 700 members in its congregation which meets in locations across the city and will now go back to the drawing board to find a central location to administer the church.

Orange Evangelical Church are calling for expressions of interest for the sale of the building.