Parishioners get boost in fight to save St Aidan’s

At its meeting on Tuesday, council resolved to send a letter urgently to the Bishop of Bathurst the Reverend Ian Palmer requesting consideration be given to reversing the decision to close and sell St Aidan's Church at Black Springs.

The letter is being sent in recognition of the impact the closure will have on the community.

Bishop Palmer shocked parishioners when he enacted orders on November 30 to close St Aidan's Church.

Parishioners say the gates were immediately padlocked, the locks on the church door were changed and a letter was forwarded to parishioners explaining the reasons for the closure, including the need to fund the costs of reparation to victims of abuse at the hands of clergy and laity within the Anglican Diocese of Bathurst.

Parishioners contacted council seeking a letter of support for the continuance of worship at  the church and the protection of the historic church's location.

Parishioners say St Aidan's is an historic 126-year-old building with local heritage listing which was built by pioneering families in 1891. The church was reopened for worship on March 4, 2012 and they say it has since enjoyed strong support from the congregation in the area.

They say it is also a burial site, as the grave of the only boy child of Beryl Court lies at the foundations of the building. Ms Court endowed the parish with sufficient funds to build the rectory and provide electricity for St Aidan's.

Lyndall Precians, representing Black Springs parishioners, addressed council in question time.

“As council’s aware, the property has serious limitations as to usage, cannot be lived in and has no commercial value at all,” she said.

“The diocese should be reminded of its obligations in relation to the heritage status and that the exterior cannot be changed. Fixtures, including stained glass windows, cannot be removed.”