The lodging last Friday of a development application seeking the church’s demolition has stirred up passions among those who want the quaint structure to stay exactly where it is.

The proponent lists as potential uses for the site, should the demolition be approved, as being residential or retail or a mixture thereof. 

Built by Shoalhaven architect Cyril Blacket, the old church reminds us of a gentler time, when Huskisson was a relatively remote little village on the shores of Jervis Bay.

Its small scale and modest construction reflect its place in what was then a tiny community.

It’s little wonder it eventually outgrew its congregation, which is now seeking bigger premises in Vincentia.

As in every stoush over development in Huskisson, the argument by conservationists is that the town’s simple charm is what makes it such a drawcard. That argument has won the day in many battles – stalling the grandiose plans for the hotel, resisting development that would block the view of Currambene Creek are just a couple of examples.

Ideally, a compromise could be struck which would see the Anglican Church able to sell the site so its congregation can find a bigger home while ensuring the old church was kept as a keystone in any future development.

Other seaside towns face similar development challenges but some are more successful in maintaining much of the architecture that lends them charm. 

Kiama is one example where historical precincts have been preserved so the salty, weatherboard charm is maintained, while development proceeds in others. It’s a fine balancing act and at the end of the day not everyone is happy.

Residents fighting to maintain the church have started an important conversation. They don’t want to see their town developed to resemble so many others on the eastern seaboard, places whose identities were lost years ago as unit blocks and retail centres overran once pretty neighbourhoods.