Anglican Communion News Service

[The Melbourne Anglican] Many churches face the problem of what to do with old, beautiful, culturally important but often impractical buildings. For one church in the Diocese of Melbourne the answer was to convert their old 19th century schoolhouse into a restaurant.

Since St Andrews's Brighton opened their outdoor cafe and fine dining restaurant last October, it has been booked out almost every night. The project, while supported enthusiastically by parishioners, had to overcome opposition from local traders. But after three years of planning and work, the dream was finally realised.

A professional catering company manages the restaurant, and while it is not an overtly evangelistic project, it is seen as a form of bridge building with the local community.

"We're getting people to set foot on church property that never would have before," said the Revd Ken Hewlett. "We've seen many new faces in church, both attending services and wandering through, and we have the opportunity to mix with people when we have coffee after the service."

The income from the restaurant helps to pay for a parish youth worker, and it is hoped in the long term to fund the conversion of another church building into a Christian counselling centre.