Relief is the word parishioners used, after a visit from the Bishop of the Anglican Bathurst Diocese put fears of church sales to bed for Carinda, Quambone, and Marra Creek (West Bogan) congregations. 

This weekend Anglican Bathurst Diocese Bishop Mark Calder toured the four communities following a strong pushback from the community around the potential sale of their more remote Anglican churches. 

It wasn’t until his last stop in Quambone, where the service drew out 50 churchgoers, that the Bishop confirmed that all four churches wouldn’t be sold. 

“There’s a calm that that angst is lifted, and that we can just go back to ‘normal’ without having this threat hanging over our heads,” Quambone parishioner Margaret Garnsey said. 

In February this year, the Anglican communities were informed that the sale of buildings was being considered. 

With very few services each year, the West Bogan church was thought to be particularly vulnerable. (Anglican Diocese of Bathurst)

The Bathurst Diocese has begun the process of selling property to fund their contribution to the National Redress Scheme, which provides support and compensation for victims of child sexual abuse in Australian institutions, including the Anglican Church. 

Locals  feared that due to their church services being few and far between, the smaller buildings across their parish would be the first to go.  

St Matthews Anglican Church in West Bogan was considered to be particularly vulnerable, where there's almost no services anymore.  

The three communities rallied together and a plan to lobby the Bathurst diocese was developed. 

Submissions involving historical research, letters of support from attending congregations and a petition with 60 plus names from the broader community opposing the sale were independently put together by both Carinda and Quambone.

A Marra Creek community representative met directly with the Bishop in Bathurst to put their case forward.

With the help of retired Coonamble-based Reverend Jeff Tym a tour of the churches was planned.

Parishioners came out to attend church with Bishop Mark during his tour. IMAGE: Anglican Diocese of Bathurst

Bishop Mark, accompanied by his wife Susan, made the tour commencing with a service in Marra on Saturday 15 July and services at both Carinda and Quambone on Sunday 16.

"Bishop Mark was very impressed with the integrity of the church structures, the presentation of the churches, the commitment of the congregations & the hospitality extended," said one local representative.

"The isolation of the three communities and the distances between them ensured Bishop Mark had a deep appreciation for the Ministry delivered for many years by our now retired Minister Jeff Tym, who is always supported by his wonderful wife Wendy."

Now, the diocese has indicated they will look to sell church buildings where the congregation has another option to attend nearby.

Bishop Calder said that despite small congregations being considered, the isolation of the four churches made it important they remain, and that a lot of the concern may have been driven by miscommunication.

“Chances are they were never going to be considered for sale, but they got caught up in a blanket email that went out to the whole diocese,” Bishop Calder said.  

Bishop Mark Calder toured the region, holding services in all four churches. (Anglican Diocese of Bathurst)

The real estate market is also a factor, with churches closer to regional centres fetching around $450,000, and in comparison, the sale of local churches wouldn’t be able to make a significant contribution to the National Redress Scheme. 

“From a whole number of different angles, they can consider their church safe,” he said. 

Regardless, the news has been celebrated by all three congregations, who despite the small amount of services each year, see the church as vital to the community. 

“Without a Christian church to worship in, it’s very difficult to provide a Christian presence,” Ms Garnsey said. 

For Carinda, it has potentially saved the small community from the burden of more financial pain. 

“We were thinking that if it was going to be sold, we might’ve had to throw it in and keep it in Carinda,” parishioner Rhonda McLellan said. 

Although the community managed to avoid that cost, it has been tasked with the responsibility of ensuring its maintenance since Coonamble Parish lost its Anglican minister.

“We’ve paid for the insurance for the year, and have tried to cover the costs during the year,” Ms McLellan said. 

IMAGE: Marg Garnsey

Bishop Calder’s visit drew promising crowds to the churches, with 50 people attending in Carinda, 16 in Quambone, and over 20 people at the Marra. 

“It was the biggest number we’ve had in a while,” said Marra congregation member Lea Thornton.

While the churches remain safe, the decline in services continues to be a threat, with retired minister Jeff Tym currently filling the gaps in the small communities.

Bishop Calder said he is working towards addressing the issue. 

“I honour those people that have been able to keep the church going without much help.”

“I’m doing my best to try and find a minister for the parish of Coonamble so that ministry will only continue to grow and not decline,” he said.