Rydalmere: Brethren church plans $109m place of worship to host up to 3500 members

A secret brethren church which made headlines this week for backing Liberal candidates on the pre-election campaign trail have released plans to build a $109m mega church catering for up to 3500 people at a riverfront Sydney site.

A secretive Christian sect is going very public with the release of plans to build a $109m mega church overlooking the Parramatta River in Sydney’s west.

Plymouth Brethren Christian Church – which made headlines this week for dispatching congregation members on the pre-election campaign trail in support of Liberal and national party candidates – has lodged plans to build a two storey place of worship to cater for its growing base of Sydney members.

Two warehouse buildings in a Rydalmere industrial state would be demolished to make way for the 25,000sq m development which would boast facilities including a main auditorium and staged seating and have views overlooking the Parramatta River.

The development would be large enough to accommodate up to 3500 attendees during church events with crowds between 1500-1750 expected during twice-weekly bible readings.

Plans by the church stated the development would enable its congregation to move out of its current meeting hall on the corner of Victoria Rd and Hughes Ave in Ermington which it says is not equipped to accommodate its growing membership base.

A concept image of the entrance of the proposed development.

The development would include parking areas for 620 cars, security gates, a main assembly hall, and a bus carparking zone expected to be used by up to 33 buses during church events.

Planned activities at the site including bible readings, weekday prayer meetings, and lord supper gatherings.

The development would be located in an industrial zone in Rydalmere.

The building may also be used for weddings and funerals.

Plans to Parramatta Council – lodged by Ermington Gospel Trust which operates the current brethren church in Ermington – stated that development would “meet the social needs of the community” with a commitment to “maintain neighbourhood harmony”.

A spokesman for the church said the hall will be large enough to accommodate larger gatherings of parishioners “from around the country and around the world”.

“We are pleased to share our plans for a new church hall, which will provide modern facilities for our parishioners, and significantly improve visual amenity in the area,” he said.

Concept images of the church development.

“The site is located in an industrial area which is the council’s preferred zone for large places of public worship where the nearest dwelling is approximately 500m away,” the plans added.

The church, formerly known as the Exclusive Brethren, was founded around 200 years ago and has around 54,000 members globally with 16,600 in Australia.

While known for its secrecy, it was given a public airing this week when members of its congregation were seen handing out advertising material for Liberal and National Party candidates on the election campaign trail.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday called on the Liberals to “explain” if there was a “quid pro quo” between the party and the religious group.

The comments prompted a rebuke from the church which issued a public statement hitting back at Mr Albanese and rejecting suggestions it operates as a “cult”.

The current warehouse building at the Rydalmere site.

“The Prime Minister should be advocating for people of all religions to be able to live free from hatred or discrimination in this country, not stoking the flames,” the church said in a statement.

“This kind of language has real consequences – it can encourage the harassment and marginalisation of volunteers, members of our church, and their families. It needs to stop.”

The warehouse earmarked for the new church is currently occupied by Wexford Welding which The Daily Telegraph understands operates under a lease and has been made aware of the development proposal.

Plans stated the church building would be used for the sole purpose of church services and will not be hired out or used for entertainment.

Due to the scale and cost of the development, the proposal will be assessed and determined by the Sydney Central City Planning Panel.