158-year-old Sydney church to reopen as arts space and bar

A 158-year-old Sydney church that was once a theatre venue that helped mold the careers of Australian creatives, including Baz Luhrmann, has reopened as an arts space and bar with a schedule of planned religious themed shows, including an exorcism.

Originally built in 1868 as the Church of St John, the 230 sqm site has lived many lives over its 158-year history.

Situated on the eastern side of Kent St between Druitt and Market streets, about 200m from Town Hall, the building has served as a poorhouse, the Kursaal Theatre, and the original Matthew Talbot Hostel in the 1930s.

It became home to the Genesian Theatre in 1954. The theatre helped mold the careers of multiple producers, writers and actors, including Aussie film director Baz Luhrmann, who performed at the church.

After a 70-year tenure, the theatre company relocated to Rozelle.

Pleasures Playhouse, the group behind the pop-up events series in Sydney’s Chinatown, secured the new lease on the church site. The venue will now operate under the name Unholy Playhouse.

With the new venue led by Kat Dopper creative director and founder of Heaps Gay, it has

reopened as nightlife venue Unholy Playhouse and will host live music, DJs, choir and cabaret.

Among the planned launch events will be a cabaret series called Holy Flesh and a show billed as Australaia’s first live exorcism.

The church marks the second Sydney CBD venue for the new operators, who transformed the former Harbour City Cinema on Dixon Street after it had been closed for about 15 years.

There has been recent backlash to the church venue, with around 70 protesters gathering outside on Wednesday evening while hundreds attended the venue’s opening celebrations.

The rental listing was marketed by John Skufris of RWC South Sydney on behalf of a private investor. The campaign was reported to have attracted a mix of prospective tenants, including church groups, retailers, and food and beverage operators.

“This property is definitely unique and holds lots of rich history,” Mr Skufris said.

“The building was offered for lease in unrenovated condition, but the tenants saw potential and are currently fitting out having received local heritage exemption for temporary works”.

Mr Skufris said the building immediately behind the venue, known as 275 Clarence St and home to the former pub Grandma’s Small Bar, was also available for lease.