Group of Anglican churches closing, tipped for sale after final services in Broken Head, Eureka and Nimbin
One of the churches, which is 113 years old and sits on a two acre block, is scheduled to go to auction in June, while others are also closing as part of the diocese’s “major restructure”.
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Several churches across the Northern Rivers have marked their final services as part of a “major restructuring” of the Anglican Diocese of Grafton.
St Oswald’s in Broken Head, St Mark’s in Nimbin and St Aidan’s Anglican Church at Eureka have all marked last rites.
The Nimbin church is scheduled to be auction on June 26.
A spokesman for the diocese has confirmed the decision to close the three churches, including the impending sale of St Mark’s.
He said this decision was part of a major restructure of the diocese, which covers the area between Wauchope and the Queensland border.
The changes involve the proposed closure and sale of “a number of small churches” across the region and the amalgamation of the remaining churches into parishes and ministry areas.
Three parishes were last year amalgamated to form the Parish of Byron and further south, two parishes merged to form the Parish of Nambucca Valley.
The spokesman said the Anglican Church in Eureka had gone under contract and St Oswald’s in Broken Head was nominated for closure and sale.
The final service at Broken Head was held earlier this month and the spokesman said a time frame was not yet set for its proposed sale.
“The sale of the former St Mark’s at Nimbin has been generally accepted by local people,” the spokesman said.
“Locals have shown a keen interest in what the former church and the large area of land on which it stands may be used for in the future.
“Decisions to close churches are never taken lightly.
“Individual situations are studied carefully and there was extensive consultation within the Diocese at all levels before the final plan was presented.
“The overall restructuring plan was endorsed by the Diocese’s annual Synod held in September 2020.
“The model of restructuring our Diocese (and the need to close some churches) is about reshaping the church to better carry out its ministries.
“Where a local ministry has many small churches that are used only occasionally by small congregations, there is a lot of effort and limited resources used to maintain the status quo.
“This means there is little left for active mission and new initiatives: outreach, promoting increase in attendance and greater involvement in the community.
“We do recognise for some people, whose families have been faithful supporters and worshippers at these small country churches over many decades, this is a painful time.
“The decision to close each church is not an easy one.
“We recognise that a church is not only a special place of worship but also a place of many memories that connect with family and community.
“When closing a church there is care to celebrate the past and to consider how each memorial and dedicated item will be honoured and used in the future.”
The restructuring program is expected to take at least two years.
St Mark’s in Nimbin is being marketed by Wal Murray & Co First National Lismore.
The property, at 27 Cullen Street, will be open for inspection at 9.45am on Saturday, June 19.
It sits on a two acre block, the church was built in 1908 and it’s walking distance to Nimbin’s CBD.
The listing said it has “plenty of potential for the next owner as it moves into a new era”.
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