The Smith Street church of St Sava was built in 1955, with a bell tower added in 1974 and a Sunday school building in 1984.
The Reverend Father Sasa Stojanovic said the entire church was being renovated, with about $800,000 bequeathed to the church by a former parishioner funding half the upgrades.
Father Stojanovic said about 400 families regularly attended the church, including people who emigrated post World War I and II, in the 1990s and more recently.
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READ NOWHe said members of the Greek and Russian orthodox churches and families from African countries living nearby also regularly attended services at the church.
The restoration of the building is expected to be completed by the end of the year, with two new bronze domes the feature of the renovations.
Heritage Minister Albert Jacob said the church was an exceptional example of Christian Orthodox Church design.
‘The dome-topped church roof and bell tower provides an impressive interior space that houses ornate artworks, finely painted wall icons and mosaics,’ he said.
The church will celebrate its 60th anniversary next year.