Push gains momentum to save All Saints Church in Pappinbarra
Rich history: All Saints Church has been a feature of community life in Pappinbarra across almost 90 years. Photo: Anthony Wall
The community is urged to attend a meeting as part of a push to save Pappinbarra's church.
The community meeting will go ahead on the All Saints Church grounds at Pappinbarra at 2pm on Saturday (November 7).
Concerned resident Lisa McLeod said the meeting would gather input and suggestions from the community and church attendees.
Individuals and groups have made submissions to the Anglican Diocese of Grafton.
Pappinbarra's church is one of three small churches in the Parish of Wauchope nominated for closure during the next two years.
The closures are part of a major restructuring of the Anglican Diocese of Grafton which covers from Port Macquarie to the Queensland border and west to Dorrigo.
The three churches selected for closure are at Pappinbarra, Ellenborough and Byabarra.
Much-loved church: All Saints Church sits on land donated by John Wallis. Photo: Wauchope District Historical Society
Worship and ministry will be centred on St Matthew's Anglican Church, Wauchope, under the parish restructure.
A diocesan spokesperson said while church closures were matters of concern for those who worshipped there, Pappinbarra may find the move would be an important benefit to the community.
The diocese was well aware of a strong community spirit in the Pappinbarra district, the spokesperson said.
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"The Anglican Church recognises the importance of church buildings in small communities to the people of that community," the spokesperson said.
"We hope that we can work with the local community to find a way of having the building owned by the community for community use."
The spokesperson said the Diocese of Grafton, like many church organisations, was at a crossroads as society had moved away from a time when church attendance and allegiance was the norm to a time when church attendance was the exception.
"The diocese has been working on how to reshape its current ministry structures to best serve the society of the 21st century, recognising the population trends in the region," the spokesperson said.
All Saints Church has been a feature of community life in Pappinbarra across almost 90 years.
John Wallis donated the land in 1929 and Pappinbarra residents built the church.
Focal point: The community comes together for "arvo tea off the back of the ute". Photo: Supplied
Wauchope District Historical Society members compiled a book to mark All Saints Church's 80th anniversary.
George Hegarty, on behalf of the Pappinbarra community, was among those who lodged a submission to the diocese.
The submission included an overview of the church's history and its importance to the community.
The church's construction was a community effort.
Mr Hegarty's submission said volunteers dug holes, sank stout turpentine posts for the piers and constructed a frame of local red mahogany to bear the fibro cement cladding.
"Floorboards of local tallowwood and a corrugated iron roof completed the little building," he wrote.
"Inside there were pews, altar, retable and credence table of red mahogany and Bishop's throne of beech."
All denominations have worshipped at All Saints Church, which was consecrated as a Church of England.
Fundraising, donations and volunteer labour in 1988-89 culminated in the church's restoration after it fell into disrepair and was deconsecrated.
The church was subsequently reconsecrated and remains in use.
All Saints Church in Pappinbarra. Photo: Photo: Wauchope District Historical Society
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