We’re just a group of friends, who call Newcastle home, with a broad range and long history in the hospitality and wedding world.

We’ve come together with a common goal of helping people create memories. 48 Watt Street is an iconic venue in Newcastle, we’ve all attended events and weddings there, and are excited to breathe new life into the space.

With a refurbishment coming in early 2024, we are open for business now. Taking bookings at the venue now, from December 2023, as it stands before the overhaul. It’s a beautiful space with a long history. There’s really nothing like it.

Press release, November 2023.

NEW OWNERS SET TO REINVIGORATE ICONIC 48 WATT STREET, NEWCASTLE.

With their collective experience in hospitality, events, entertainment, and weddings, the new owners of one of Newcastle’s most iconic venues, have grand plans for its future.

The team are excited to re-energise the building and it’s offering, whilst retaining the charm and rich history of the church, turning it in to a highly sought after location for weddings and other events, a unique proposition in the City of Newcastle.

“Our vision is to provide couples an inner-city option for their wedding, one that is exciting, modern, and fresh. We’re flipping the perception of a destination wedding venue on its head and providing an alternative right here in the beautiful city of Newcastle, set to attract locals as well as those who might not initially think to get married in Newcastle.” Sam Hearn describes.

Newcastle locals Sam Hearn, Bonnie Marshall, Jerome O’Connor, Angus Harper, Jess Farchione, Anthony Ford and Evan Renfrew come together to form the new ownership, with the team’s involvement in other Newcastle businesses and events positioning them to deliver a premium and tailored experience for clients looking to celebrate at the venue.

Their experience most notably includes:

  • ·Samuel Hearn - Owner of The Wedding Social Co, Silent Shout Entertainment and Made on Sunday events. 10 years experience in the wedding industry as one of Newcastle’s most popular wedding DJs.

  • Jerome O’Connor - Co-owner of Uptown’s Bar, and soon to open Charlie’s Rooftop. 17 years experience in the wedding industry as a popular wedding singer.

  • Jess Farchione – Hit106.9 Breakfast radio host, Newcastle tourism ambassador, marriage celebrant.

  • Angus Harper & Anthony Ford - Part-owners of The Greenroof, formerly Cambridge Hotel, and other venues and major events in Newcastle. 14 years experience in hospitality each.

  • Bonnie Marshall – 11 years experience in marketing communications. Co-founder of The Wedding Social Co.

  • Evan Renfrew – Distiller and compliance manager at Earp Distilling Co., accounts manager. 14 years experience in hospitality.

Angus Harper, whose childhood family home is only 500 metres from the venue, added “you can expect an aspirational venue, with quality execution, premium service, and a few surprises. We’re excited to help people celebrate everything in life, from the biggest moments to intimate functions. That could a wedding, birthday, fundraiser, Drag brunch, corporate event… anything really. We’re excited for the catering offering which we’ll announce in due time, and will offer a variety of local beers, wines and spirits. We are proud Newcastle people. Anything that can attract people to our region, particularly the CBD, is an important step forward for our city.”

For those unfamiliar, the one-of-a-kind church at 48 Watt Street, Newcastle - sits on one of Newcastle’s oldest streets, perched between Newcastle Beach and the city’s best dining and accommodation options.

 “The venue as it stands is still a perfect spot for any style of function. Some of my top weddings that I've performed at have actually been in this venue, but we also have grand plans for the space with a full refresh and rebrand starting around April next year, to help breath a new life back into the church. We want to make things a little more extravagant and give people the opportunity to experience a high quality venue that has character and prestige on its own without needing over styling. The fact it will be run by people from the industry, right in the heart of Newcastle makes for a one of a kind venue.” says Jerome O’Connor.

The new owners are accepting bookings now for December onwards via www.ravellanewcastle.com.au or hello@ravellanewcastle.com.au.