Church saved: How a community banded together to save 175 year old icon

For more than 175 years, the St John Baptist Church served an East Coast community. Now its future has been secured, thanks to a dedicated group. Find out what they plan to do with it.

Elizabeth Turvey at the St John Baptist Church at Buckland in southeast Tasmania.

After fighting for years to save a church and cemetery in Buckland, community members have now officially taken ownership of the place of worship.

The Friends of the Buckland Church (FOBC) last year reached an in-principle agreement to purchase St John Baptist Church, after raising $100,000 to buy it from The Anglican Church.

The group took formal ownership of the historic site on Monday, after the final settlement.

08-05-18 – Parishioners at the Buckland Anglican Church in southern Tasmania, Elizabeth Turvey, Robin Turvey, Genevieve Whiting and Angela Turvey, May 8 2018, Tasmania, Australia. Rob Blakers/The Australian

FOBC chair and former Tasmanian Labor Leader Bryan Green said it was a significant moment for the community.

“It is a goal that we have been working hard towards for several years now and are truly thankful that we have been able to purchase the church through the support of our dedicated community members and many folk from far and wide who feel connected to and appreciate the historical significance of this wonderful building,” Mr Green said.

The church’s foundation stone was laid in 1846 and was the design was based on 14th century Gothic architecture.

Stain glass windows at the St John Baptist Church. PIC: MATT THOMPSON

Stain glass windows at the St John Baptist Church. PIC: MATT THOMPSON

In order to secure the building the group needed to take out a loan, and it will continue its fundraising efforts to pay it off.

Mr Green said the group would work to preserve and revitalise the building.

“Our vision is for the Buckland Church to once again become a focal point for the community, to be enjoyed as a much loved and treasured space where community and families come together,” Mr Green said.

SUNTAS. Former Labor leader Bryan Green in Nugent, Tasmania. Picture: Richard Jupe

“We hope to once again have the doors of the church open for anyone to visit and appreciate the beautiful architecture and heritage value of the building.”

The church is one of more than 70 properties the Anglican Church committed to selling for the Dioceses’ Redress Fund.

The fund was set up more than four years ago to compensate victims of abuse, with the average payout $160,000 per victim.

“In 2018 we made the difficult decision to sell some of our churches so that we could meet our shared commitment to bring justice to survivors of abuse under the National Redress Scheme,” Anglican Bishop Richard Condie said.

Right Reverend Dr Richard Condie, Anglican Bishop of Tasmania., in St David’s Cathedral. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE.

“A portion of the net sale proceeds goes into the Redress Fund, while the remainder is retained to support ministry in the local parish.”

Bishop Condie said it was pleasing to see the church would be cared for.

“Church buildings, such as St John the Baptist at Buckland, are important places that have played a significant role in our Tasmanian heritage,” Mr Condie said.

“We know that they hold significant value, and we are pleased to have sold the property to a local community group – the Friends of Buckland Church.”