PHOTO: Iconic burger chain transforms church into a super-sized restaurant. FILE

In a move that’s left some locals loving it — and others stunned — McDonald’s has purchased a former church for a jaw-dropping $8 million, with plans to convert it into a flagship restaurant.

Yes, you read that right: the House of God is about to become a House of Big Macs. 🍟

McDonald’s buys $8m landmark church to turn into restaurant

McDonald’s plans to turn the Gateway Church, on Victoria Street, in Hamilton, into a new restaurant. Photo / Supplied

📣 What McDonald’s Says:

A spokesperson for the fast-food giant says the transformation will respect the building’s architectural significance, with key features — including stained-glass windows and stonework — to be preserved and integrated into the restaurant design.

💬 “We see this as a way to blend the old with the new – preserving history while serving the future.”

McDonald's plans to turn the Gateway Church, on Victoria Street, in Hamilton, into a new restaurant. Photo / Supplied

McDonald’s last had a restaurant on Victoria Street in Hamilton’s CBD in the early 1990s. Photo / Hamilton Libraries

🧐 What Locals Are Saying:

Reactions have been… mixed.

  • 🙌 “Better a burger than a wrecking ball.”

  • 😬 “Feels wrong to order fries where people once got married.”

  • 🛐 “I’ll pray on it — over a Quarter Pounder.”

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🕯️ From Holy to Hungry:

The church has sat empty for nearly a decade. Despite failed redevelopment attempts, its prime location made it an irresistible slice of real estate for the fast-food powerhouse, which continues expanding in high-foot-traffic urban hubs.

And while some may call it controversial, this isn’t the first church McDonald’s has claimed globally — the company has previously renovated cathedrals in the U.S., Europe and South America.

🔮 What Comes Next?

  • 🏗️ Renovations will begin later this year

  • 🍟 Grand opening expected mid-2026

  • 🎵 Rumours of live music, local art, and community events in the venue

  • 📸 You just know this place is going to blow up on Instagram

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⚠️ “Don’t Believe Everything You Read…”

Is it disrespectful? Is it genius? Depends on who you ask.
But one thing’s for sure: this isn’t your average drive-thru.

In a city where land is limited and history is everywhere, McDonald’s latest move is either a preservation win or a PR gamble with extra sauce.

📺 Stay tuned for exclusive interior design sneak peeks, public reactions, and whether the altar becomes the sauce station…

SOURCE: ONE ROOF

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