Bendigo All Saints Anglican Church flagged for $12m redevelopment

A developer has flagged a $12m project to turn a Bendigo church vandalised by squatters into a new housing estate. See what is planned.

The former All Saints Anglican Church in Bendigo could be into a complex for apartments in a proposed $12m redevelopment. Picture: Currie & Brown.

A former Bendigo church that has been vandalised and used by squatters for years could make way for a $12m housing development.

Forest and MacKenzie Pty Ltd has lodged plans with Bendigo Council to redevelop the former All Saints Anglican Church on MacKenzie Street into a 14-unit complex.

The development would four units within the 1860 church structure and two more units in the 1935 cream brick cathedral.

Five units would built on the old tennis court site, while two more would be built facing MacKenzie St

A further unit is located to the southwest of the church would see the Guild Hall demolished.

Following an initial refusal by VCAT in October 2020 citing heritage conservation reasons, the plans have returned to Bendigo Council for a second appraisal

The property is not on the State Heritage Register, but a heritage impact assessment by La Trobe University researchers found the site to be rich in significance to the Bendigo community.

Artist images of the development proposed for the former All Saints Anglican Church in Bendigo. Picture: Currie & Brown.

“The site is historically and culturally significant to the community for its function as a meeting place during the gold rush period that led to the Red Ribbon Rebellion, and to the Anglican community as the first church on the goldfield,” research fellow Dr Gary R Hill stated.

Despite the best efforts of the owners, the “unmaintained” church has been broken into and vandalised by squatters over the years, town planner Lachlan Eades stated in planning documents.

The former All Saints Anglican Church in Bendigo could be turned into a complex for apartments in a proposed $12m redevelopment. Picture: Currie & Brown.

“Some (stained glass windows) have, despite the best efforts of the owner who had them covered and the building secured, been broken from the inside after vandals smashed through a door,” Mr Eades said.

The remaining two stain glass windows were professionally removed and stored away following the episode of vandalism.

The latest plans were designed to “preserve and maintain the heritage features” while “allowing respectful redevelopment”.

An artist’s impression of the housing complex planned for the former All Saints Anglican Church in Bendigo. Picture: Currie & Brown.

“To encourage adaptive re-use of the church without disruption to existing structures, elements or fabrics of primary significance,” Mr Eades said.

Much of the original authentic structure is still sound and although in need of restoration works which would be undertaken as part of the redevelopment.

The original stone nave, porches, vestry and red brick chancel of the church are the “last remaining” Early English Gothic Rudimentary style church in Bendigo constructed of local Ordovician stone and would be retained.

The heritage impact statement found the “restoration works will enhance the heritage values of the church”.