1928 Church Hall Hides Secret Wine Cellar in Wellington

Amy Russell's Wellington home looks ordinary from the street, but step inside and visitors gasp at the soaring ceilings and radiant stained glass windows of what was once a bustling church hall.

Built in 1928 as the parish hall for St Luke's Anglican church, the Wadestown building hosted Scout meetings, ballet recitals, concerts, and even served as a polling station. In the early 2000s, developer Brian Cameron transformed it into a stunning 219-square-meter residence that honors its sacred past while embracing modern living.

The conversion preserved the building's soul while adding delightful surprises. Russell got nearly everything on her wish list, including the hidden wine cellar tucked behind a concealed bookcase, accessible by spiral staircase. The home features exposed brick walls, a Juliet balcony, a piano nook on the mezzanine, and those gorgeous lead-light windows that flood the space with colored light.

Clever design touches celebrate the building's history. Upstairs cupboard doors feature rattan paneling reminiscent of church confessional screens, providing airflow while keeping contents hidden. Russell loves how they're both functional and beautiful.

The three-bedroom, two-bathroom home includes an office downstairs and expansive living spaces perfect for the family Christmas dinners Russell has hosted over the years. The large kitchen opens onto a covered patio, seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor entertaining.

Cameron ensured the building would stand strong for generations, installing steel girders that run the entire length and deep into the ground. When the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake struck, the retired developer returned to check his work and found everything perfectly intact.

Sunny's Take

What makes this story shine isn't just the architectural beauty or clever wine cellar. It's how Russell describes the building still feeling like "a sacred space" with its height, light, and those luminous windows. Historic buildings carry memories of all the lives they've touched, and this conversion lets those memories continue while creating new ones.

The Wadestown community embraces that same spirit of preservation and connection. Neighbors share garden overflow through their WhatsApp group, alert each other to open garages, and help reunite lost pets with owners. Russell walks 30 minutes to her job at Treasury each way, enjoying the scenic route through a neighborhood that feels like home.

The property goes to tender on March 12, offering someone the chance to become the next custodian of this remarkable space. Whether it's a couple seeking apartment-style living without body corporate fees or a family of four ready to fill the mezzanine with life, the building stands ready for its next chapter.

Sometimes the best way to honor the past is giving it a vibrant future.