After more than 12 months of negotiation with the Anglican Diocese of Grafton, the Anglican Church building in Pappinbarra is finally returning to its roots.

Sitting on land originally donated by the community in 1929, and built by local residents, the church building has been part of the Pappinbarra community for around 90 years.

John Wallis donated the land in 1929 and Pappinbarra residents built the church.

In February 2020, the Anglican Diocese of Grafton announced that the church would be sold off.

Pappinbarra's church was 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 were Pappinbarra, Ellenborough and Byabarra.

Community members, regardless of their religious beliefs, came together ready for a fight to save the church.

Anthony Wall, whose family has a long association with the church, has now become the president of the new All Saints Pappinbarra Community Church.

"This building has been the focus of the community spirit - we don't have a township as such - it is important to hold onto this kind of history," Mr Wall said.

A committee was formed to approach the Anglican Diocese to determine how the church could remain within the community. An agreement for the purchase of the land and building was finally reached.

The committee sought funding from a number of avenues and was successful in receiving a grant from Bendigo-Adelaide Bank.

Under their Community Enterprise Foundation, Bendigo-Adelaide Bank supports communities to achieve local outcomes.

"This was an amazing outcome for our community," Mr Wall said.

"We are so grateful to Bendigo-Adelaide Bank for understanding how important this was to our community, and granting us the funds to purchase it."

The transfer of ownership for the church occurs in May, and first services will take place soon after.

The official deconsecration by the Anglican Church will be held on Friday, April 23 at 11am at the church.

All community members are welcome to attend.

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