Historic kindergarten begins a new chapter serving Orange's young people

For more than 100 years, children have passed through the doors of Orange Uniting Church's kindergarten hall.

While the sounds inside the building have changed, its purpose has not.

The former kindergarten has been transformed into accommodation for young people aged 17 to 24 through a partnership between Orange Uniting Church and Veritas House, ensuring the building continues to serve the next generation. The redevelopment forms part of Veritas House's expansion of youth housing in the Central West, supported through NSW Government funding and a broader program to increase crisis and transitional accommodation.

Minister Rev. Andrew Cunningham said retaining the building's connection to young people was an important part of the congregation's vision.

"This building was built just over 100 years ago for children, and in its new state it's still being used for young people," he said.

"They're a little older now, but they're still people who need support, love and care. It's really good to see the building adapted for that."

The project has been more than five years in the making. Working within the constraints of a heritage-listed building, the congregation sought a solution that would both preserve the space and respond to a growing community need.

That search led to a partnership with Veritas House, a Central West organisation supporting vulnerable children and young people.

The former kindergarten has been redeveloped into seven bedrooms, each with an ensuite, alongside shared kitchen, dining and living spaces. Orange Uniting Church will lease the building to Veritas House, which will provide supported accommodation for young people moving from crisis housing towards independent living.

Three rooms will provide temporary accommodation, while four will be used for transitional housing, with residents supported by Veritas House case workers as they prepare to move into private rental accommodation.

Rev. Cunningham said the partnership reflects the church's commitment to using its property to serve the wider community.

"We wanted to ask what we could do that would both make good use of the space and help address the housing challenges facing young people in Orange," he said.

The redevelopment builds on Orange Uniting Church's wider community ministry.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the congregation established a takeaway meal service for people living in temporary accommodation and others experiencing hardship. The program continues today, providing between 150 and 200 hot meals every Saturday evening.

The church also hosts community lunches, a drop-in centre, playgroups and youth programs, creating opportunities for connection beyond the accommodation itself.

"We'll respect Veritas House's role and the boundaries around their work," Rev. Cunningham said.

"But where we can, we want to be part of supporting these young people. Whether that's through community activities or practical things like helping someone learn to cook, those are opportunities we'd welcome."

Rev. Cunningham said the project demonstrates how church buildings can continue serving their communities in new ways.

"It's about building relationships with other agencies, and that takes time,"

Orange Uniting Church works alongside local churches, community organisations and Orange City Council through a homelessness working group, helping coordinate support and connect people with the services they need.

For the congregation, the former kindergarten's new purpose is a continuation of its original one.

"The building was created to support young lives," Rev. Cunningham said. "More than a century later, it's still doing exactly that."

Rev. Andrew Cunningham and Jody Pearce - CEO of Veritas House at the official Launch of the renovation plan in August 2025