Did the founder of the Revival Centre Church really live in a mansion? We are standing in front of the Revival Centre Church. It’s incredible to think that this unassuming building has a history intertwined with a luxurious mansion and a grand theatre. The Revival Centre Church actually emerged from a split within the Commonwealth Revival Crusade in 1958 in Melbourne.
One of the most fascinating chapters in its early history involves the purchase of a grand seventeen-roomed mansion called Carn Brae. This mansion, located in Auburn, Melbourne, was once home to a former Lord Mayor of Melbourne. The church’s plan to construct a hall on the property was met with resistance from local residents. Their protests made headlines, ultimately leading to the denial of permission for the hall. Despite this, the mansion became the residence of the church’s leader, Lloyd Longfield, for several years and hosted various church-related events.
Beyond Carn Brae, the Revival Centre Church’s story takes us to the heart of Melbourne’s theatre scene. In 1985, the church acquired the iconic Forum Theatre, originally known as the State Theatre. This architectural marvel, built in 1929 in a captivating Moorish Revival style, was once Australia’s largest theatre. The Forum Theatre served as the church’s international headquarters until 1995, adding another layer to its unique history. Today, the Revival Centre Church stands as a testament to its fascinating past, reminding us of its intriguing connections to a grand mansion and a celebrated theatre.