The Huskisson Church has been a constant topic of conversation in recent months, after plans to build a hotel on the site were announced.
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The church, owned by the Anglican Church, was deconsecrated some years ago after the community outgrew the small, weatherboard building.
Currently, members of he church meet at several different sites across the Bay and Basin region to worship, which requires constant travel and moving about.
An Anglican Church spokesperson said the proposed sale of the land was the only option to fund the construction of a new church centre at Vincentia.
“This plan has the full support of the Archbishop of Sydney and the Bishop of Wollongong, who have agreed that all funds generated by the sale will be used for the Vincentia development,” the spokesperson said.
“We outgrew most of our facilities at Huskisson several years ago, and we continue to conduct our activities in other locations in the Bay and Basin.”
The Anglican Church’s plan for some time has been to construct a family-friendly centre which can keep up with population growth in the future.
The church intends to locate the new ministry centre close to Shoalhaven City Council’s proposed District Centre at Crossroads, Vincentia.
“The proposed new church and associated ministries at the Crossroads site will enable the Parish to serve the whole Bay and Basin community for generations to come,” the spokesperson.
“All money associated with a land sale therefore remains within Jervis Bay Anglican Church.”
Proponent Steve Bartlett amended his development application that sought permission to demolish the Cyril Blackett designed church building back in October, in response to community backlash.
In November, the NSW heritage council visited the site, follwing community group Save Husky Church’s lodgement of an interim heritage order application.
This application would allow a full heritage assessment to be completed, and would provide temporary protection from demolition or development.
The matter was referred to NSW Environment and Heritage Minister Gabrielle Upton, who is yet to make a determination.
Madeline Crittenden
Madeline Crittenden is a journalist for Fairfax Media at the South Coast Register.
Madeline Crittenden is a journalist for Fairfax Media at the South Coast Register.
