Wanaka's St Columba's Anglican Church is consulting the community and preparing a feasibility report for a community house to be built alongside the church on the corner of Upton and McDougall Sts.
Megan Williams has been engaged to facilitate the process.
She hopes to have her report available by October 31.
Preliminary plans have been drawn up by architect Anne Salmond.
The project follows a model that is working in Taranaki, the Rev Denis Bartley said in a recent media release.
The community house would be "for the benefit of everyone".
The investigation was being funded by a donation from a parishioner last year.
Ms Williams said she would research community needs for the facility.
She would also find funding avenues, and advise on a legal structure.
Community support was needed to make the project viable, she said.
"It is also important that we consult with similar upcoming projects to prevent any duplication and to ensure that all facilities complement one another," Ms Williams said.
