The couple behind the Old Convent at Borenore's restoration, Jeff and Josie Chapman, are seeking approval to transform the former church into a commercial venue and are well aware of its heritage importance to Orange.

The Chapmans bought the building in 2019 from the Uniting Church and commissioned Leura-based firm Christo Aitken and Associates to draw up a conservation management strategy for it which has also been used as the basis for a heritage impact statement, part of the development application before Orange City Council.

Built in 1903 on the site where Orange's first church service was believed to have been held in 1846, the Gothic-style Congregational Church will be transformed into a cafe during the day and small bar in the evenings, while there is also room to host a variety of activities from pop-up retail to yoga.

Included in the Chapman's proposal are installing a spiral staircase and mezzanine for access to the bell tower, which was added to the church in 1949 as a war memorial.

Mr Chapman said the couple had already imported a vintage cast-iron spiral staircase from London which will replace an inset steel ladder to the Romanesque-style bell tower.

According to the development application on display until January 24, a two-storey building will be constructed along the eastern side of the church which will house a commercial kitchen, toilets and restaurant support areas on its ground floor while a residence, including a loft bedroom will take out the second level.

The open area on the northern side of the church will be converted for outdoor dining.

One small tree near the eastern border will need to be cleared, but two larger trees, a claret ash and a Chinese elm will be retained as part of the landscaping plan.

Mr Chapman said the couple had completed some minor renovations to the building with broken tiles on its front steps replaced by marble by local craftsman Vince Barbagallo.

A handrail believed to have been installed during the 70s has also been replaced using historic pieces reclaimed from a demolished stand at The Sydney Cricket Ground.

The couple also hopes to use reclaimed cast iron fencing along the Bathurst Road border.

They have also replaced lighting and floorboards in an area previously used for childcare.

As part of the DA, new fencing will be installed including a 2100-2400mm high brick wall with iron gateway along the Summer Street East frontage of the outdoor dining area.

Weatherboard buildings on the eastern and northern sides of the church, a Colorbond shed and steel fencing will be demolished to make way for the improvements.

While the church is part of the East Orange heritage area and zoned residential, the proposal for the church falls in line with Orange City's Council encouragement of this type of repurposing for historic buildings and Mr Chapman was confident it would gain approval.

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