Opportunity and angst as Raleigh church hits the market

It won’t get you to heaven but there’s a divine opportunity to buy an historic church on the Coffs Coast. Here’s what’s on offer.

A small and stunningly beautiful country church on the Coffs Coast is up for sale - causing angst for some long-time parishioners.

The picturesque 100-year-old Prince of Peace Church at Raleigh is being offered for sale as part of the Anglican Diocese of Grafton’s restructuring program.

A Diocesan spokesperson confirmed interest was being sought in the well maintained church which sits on a 4268 sqm level block of land.

The property is being marketed by Cardow & Partners Property.

Rae McBaron, 85, has been involved with the Prince of Peace since she was five years of age.

“It will be the saddest day of my life when that’s sold,” Ms McBaron said.

The grand interior of the Prince of Peace Church.

“I was married there, my three daughters were married there and all of their children were christened there.”

She said she had played the organ at the church for some 20 years.

“I’ve always said it’s been my second home,” she said.

Grant Cardow of Cardow & Partners Property said the “quaint, wonderfully maintained” church and block included a single dwelling entitlement (the church itself) and potential future use included a home, wedding venue or art studio.

It is listed at $660,000-$710,000.

The church sits on a large level block of land.

The land for the church was donated by the Youngs and they are buried at the site.

The local community raised the funds for church’s construction.

The diocesan spokesman said the Raleigh church was one of three within the Parish of The Bellinger; the others are at Urunga and Bellingen and continue to function as normal.

The parish is currently involved in a two-year plan to work more closely with the Parish of Dorrigo.

He said a diocesan restructuring program involves the proposed closure and sale of a number of small churches and the amalgamation of the remaining churches into parishes or ministry areas based on a larger, more viable districts.

It’s an idyllic rural location on the NSW Mid North Coast.

“The sale of the former Prince of Peace Church at Raleigh has followed a period of low attendance and has been generally accepted by local people,” he said.

“Decisions to close churches are never taken lightly.

“We are confident that with a new owner and the protections provided under the Local Environmental Plan it will see the integrity of the building not only retained but also given a new and vibrant life.”

Ms McBaron said she hoped whoever bought the property might enable it to continue to operate as a church “for all denominations”.

The Prince of Peace Church at Raleigh is a compelling view from the street.

The diocesan spokesman acknowledged what the institution had meant to the community.

“We are conscious that over the past century many Anglican worshippers have faithfully supported ministry at Prince of Peace because of their love of Christ and to see Christian ministry make a positive impact on the community,” he said.

“While it is sad that the Prince of Peace’s chapter of Christian ministry has closed, it is pleasing that their past valuable support can live on in new ways.

The building’s layout.

“We are expecting positive outcomes all around.

“A valued building will be reactivated under new stewardship and its history preserved and the church will have resources to support both new and existing ministries in the region.”