Faced with a dwindling congregation and rising costs the Uniting Church closed its landmark Five Ways building on Bathurst Road with the final service held late last year.

It will be auctioned, with an expected price of $800,000, at 11am on Friday, May 3.

However, future uses of the building are restricted.

Selling agent David Dent of Benchmark real estate said the property was heritage listed and therefore the exterior cannot be altered.

And people with hopes of converting it into a trendy coffee shop, art gallery or other business will have to think again as Mr Dent said it was zoned for residential use.

"It would have to be accommodation," he said.

"You could convert it into a high-end bed and breakfast."

Mr Dent said the interior could, with council planning approval, be altered to suit future use as a home or for accommodation.

It has two rooms, a toilet and kitchen.

While parking is largely limited to on-street in Summer Street he said the church playground area could be converted into off-street parking for the property.

Orange City Council's East Orange heritage trail notes record the church was built in 1903 after the Congregational Church bought the land from Maurice Bebb Bowen in 1902.

The church is newer than the adjoining Bowen Terrace apartments, which were built for Mr Bowen who also owned Orange's first tannery and boot factory, in 1876.

The site has an even greater religious significance as Orange's first service was conducted there in November 1846 by the Reverend T.B. Taylor, the Church of England minister for Carcoar.

A plaque inside the church records the centenary of that event, and also Orange becoming a city, in 1946.

Minister Andrew Cunningham told the Central Western Daily last November the church wanted to amalgamate its congregations and resources.

Mr Cunningham said the move followed falling numbers of worshippers, tighter resources and a looming building maintenance burden.

"We're covering our costs, but we're trying to be careful and the margin is getting narrower so we want to make the decision now before we can't cover our costs," he said.

In November 2015, Domain published an article headlined 'Ten Glorious Church Conversions', featuring some of the most stunning re-purposed churches in Australia. Here they are ...

OPEN the gate to the Tuscan-inspired courtyard garden with water fountain and be swept away by the romance of this converted church in Curlewis.

On a two-acre block with wonderful water views, this restored church features a glass atrium that links the original church to a cutting-edge modern extension.

With four bedrooms, three bathrooms and numerous living areas including a grand conservatory and an open-plan living, there is plenty of space for a family.

Although a well-loved home at present, it also presents commercial possibilities for weddings, functions and fine dining.

THIS heritage-listed 1930s church with adjoining 1970s church hall was painstakingly renovated by its former owner (a philosopher, university lecturer and atheist) to turn it into a capacious home with its original pulpit, an upper-level reading loft, an indoor swing and a stainless steel and jarrah kitchen.

WITH its laborious renovation designed by architect Peter Williams of award-winning architecture firm Williams Boag, John Knox Church perfectly juxtaposes the old with the new and modern.

Now a family home, this 1876 Presbyterian church features six bedrooms, seven bathrooms, great beams, decorative neo-Gothic motifs, restored leadlight windows and original Baltic pine detailing.

The spectacular original wooden ceiling is the centrepiece of the design and complemented by modern features including striking red joinery, glass balustrades and polished marble accents.

NEXT door to John Knox Church is this beauty, a grand-double storey Gothic Victorian abode.

Built in the 1880s, the John Knox Uniting Church manse was sold by the Uniting Church in 2007 and recently converted into a luxury home with the original building set off by a modern glass extension.

The home features a 3000-bottle wine cellar, a private bar, swimming pool, a Carrera marble ensuite, a stylish kitchen with butler's pantry and a manicured garden perfumed by more than 100 rose varieties.

It is expected to sell for more than $6 million with an expressions of interest campaign closing November 11.

IF cosy charm is your thing, this sweet church in Mole Creek will delight.

The conversion features three bedrooms, including one on a mezzanine level accessed by a handmade staircase, a kitchen with granite benchtops, leadlight windows and timber features.

DO not expect to find your typical church conversion when it comes to this circa-1914 South Australian abode.

While the church itself remains largely original, the adjoining church hall with courtyard garden is all about bold modern style.

It was renovated in a palette of sophisticated greys and blacks with modern lines and finishes to give it a feel more akin to that of a trendy warehouse apartment.

BUILT in 1914 and converted into a church in the late 1980s, this church conversion hints at quaint rural English charm with features including exposed beams, slate floors and original pressed metal ceilings.

Enjoy the tranquility and views across Lake Glenmaggie.

THIS charming country church conversion is a neighbourhood landmark with its pretty red brick walls and leadlight windows.

The two-bedroom, one-bathroom home features exposed vaulted Baltic pine ceilings, a central freestanding wood heater and flower gardens.

THIS historical church in Queenscliff includes a self-contained studio apartment home.

Once a Methodist church, it is now a glorious home with a warehouse feel.

Features include Baltic pine floorboards, vaulted timber ceilings and clean modern detailings that set off the leadlight windows.

POTENTIAL abounds in this tastefully restored South Brisbane treasure.

On a 911sqm lot in one of Brisbane's most sought-after development areas, this fully renovated church has a commanding street presence in a central location.

It is just a short walk to the city's most popular restaurants, café and bar precincts and a 10 minute walk to the CBD.

The multi-purpose zoning means it can be used as a home, office, commercial or business premises or a combination.

Features include solid VJ ceilings, exposed cathedral trusses, polished timber floors and 38 fully restored Gothic-style leadlight windows.