Property redevelopment at CBC

Providing the Church with Modern Facilities and a Community Hub

Our Pastors Stephen Field and Cathy Cudlipp

In 1891, the CBC established a place of worship at 1A Balwyn Road and 2 Boronia Street, Canterbury. By 1933, the church had established a Sunday school on Boronia Street and, by 1962, had replaced the original church building at 1A Balwyn Road with a modern, now heritage-listed, church.

Between these two buildings, and connected to the church, was a hall and kitchen used for church and community purposes. In 1947, the Sunday school building was converted into a kindergarten, with part of this building continuing to provide spaces for church meetings and various community activities.

Image from Balwyn Road of the newly completed 1962 church; with tennis courts in lower-left foreground

Present

CBC is a vibrant community that worships and serves together.  We believe that, as we live the life of Jesus among the people around us, there is grace and goodness for all. We enjoy a multitude of activities and aim to equip and encourage attendees to minister in diverse ways in our local community and more broadly.

The Path to Re-Development

In 2015, CBC was provided with a monetary grant from the Baptist Union of Victoria to assess possible options for improving the amenity and utilisation of our well-located site on the corner of Canterbury and Balwyn Road. To our surprise, the consultants, Novosocial, recommended a whole-of-site re-development. The initial design concept was based on new and refurbished church facilities, either apartments or townhouses, underground car-parking for residents and the church and some shared facilities.

It was important to us that the redevelopment focussed on upgrading our current amenities and providing long-term, flexible opportunities for community engagement.

The future

CBC’s re-development retains and enhances the elegant mid-century worship hall facing Balwyn Road but replaces other ageing facilities with modern and accessible multipurpose spaces in an attractive community hub. The re-development focuses on a prominent central courtyard with direct access from the church facilities and a new residential community.

In collaboration with development partner MAB, a development  named Altamira as part of rejuvenating the site.

Designed by award-winning architecture practice Jackson Clements Burrows (JCBA), the design aims to be an exemplary piece of contemporary architecture, placing the church at the centre of the re-development and providing new opportunities for the church to engage with the surrounding community.

Re-development render from Canterbury and Balwyn Road corner.

Altamira, featuring 32 two- and three-bedroom apartments, along with one three-bedroom townhouse, is defined by thoughtful design, modern materials and considered interiors, that respect the environment and the heritage of the Church Site. Sustainability has been a key driver throughout the design, with the project incorporating a range of environmental initiatives achieving a 7.9 star rating. State-of-the-art electric plant and equipment (no gas) will deliver excellent thermal comfort within the new development and reduce water and energy consumption.

Image from Boronia Street; artists impression of the 2025-26 re-development, with 1933 Sunday School features retained.

Adjustments for the Congregation

During the demolition and building process, the church family will gather elsewhere for church services and weekly activities. Being part of a wider Baptist community has provided a wonderful opportunity to connect with and meet together for corporate worship at nearby Strathcona Baptist Girls Grammar.

The Church office relocated some time ago to the Waterman co-working facilities in Camberwell Junction to increase its exposure to the local community. This arrangement will likely continue post-redevelopment.

More information about the development can be found at: www.mab.com.au/projects/apartments/canterbury