St Andrew’s Church in Hughenden saved from destruction by Renewable Homes
A historic church that has graced a North Queensland community since the 1900s but had been damned for destruction has found salvation thanks to a Townsville business.
Townsville
Don't miss out on the headlines from Townsville. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A historic church that has graced a North Queensland community since the 1900s but had been damned for demolition has found salvation thanks to a visionary Townsville business owner.
Jo Veneman, director of Renewable Homes in Roseneath, who has been salvaging local history one Queenslander home at a time, said that business had been booming given the housing shortage and demand for historical homesteads.
She said her latest project involved saving the St Andrew’s Uniting Church, formerly the St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church built in Hughenden in 1908, and church hall from destruction and transporting both buildings to the business’s storage yard for sale in April.
The operation – which will involve three heavy vehicles – will cost about $50,000 with the church expected to fetch $140,000 placed on site.
The church hall could has been given a $70,000 price tag.
“It’s very popular,” she said.
“There’s a huge call for living in churches, whether or not there’s a big call for it around Townsville … we’re going to find out.”
Ms Veneman, who launched Renewable Homes nine years ago, said it was unfortunate for the town in Flinders Shire to be losing the historic church, particularly following the tragic loss of the Grand Hotel in a blaze in 2018.
“It’s been closed for a very long time not used and it’s just a shame that it’s not being utilised,” she said.
“It would make a great house for someone to do something really cool architecturally and all that sort of stuff … they are both in really excellent condition.”
Their were multiple potential uses, she said.
Ms Veneman, who holds a degree in town planning and employs seven people full time, said it was unusual the buildings had not been officially historically listed, which allowed for the relocation from Hughenden to Townsville.
“It’s a rare opportunity that we have and unfortunately once something is heritage listed, it can’t be moved,” Ms Veneman said.
She said it was a tragedy the Grand Hotel had been lost when the heritage-listed hotel could have been moved before it was destroyed.
The hotel had closed in 2004 due to new fire regulations and insurance costs.
Ms Veneman, who has worked in the industry for more than 20 years, said she had saved and sold hundreds of buildings over the years, including from the historic Fanning River Station which were tied with the history of Townsville and multiple Queenslander-style homes.
She said such was the demand that her storage yard currently stood empty.
“Everything is selling quite quickly because obviously the demand for second-hand homes is really quite high at the moment – extraordinarily high,” she said.
“Things are just selling; we are so busy, we’re already booked out for the rest of the year and half of next year.”
Flinders Shire Council were contacted for comment.
Originally published as St Andrew’s Church in Hughenden saved from destruction by Renewable Homes
Join the conversation
Woman charged with dangerous driving charges after crash
The 42-year-old is expected to appear before the Hughenden Magistrates Court.
Read more
‘Giving back to the community’: Workers donate blood and plasma
Marine Logistics and Sun Metals workers Adrian Farren and Cody Sims have donated blood and plasma more than 300 times combined and are hoping to encourage others to donate as part of the Red Cross Lifeblood Team Competition.
Read more