Last minute community attempt to save Pebble Church

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NORTH CENTRAL NEWS , 9th SEPTEMBER 2020.

There is the last minute attempt within the community to save the Pebble church from falling into private hands after the Anglican church listed property for sale by expression of interest

Expressions Of Interest for the former Saint Peters Pebble church in Carapooee will close this Friday the 11th of September. The local community was largely unaware of this move by the Church as the signage was only put up recently at the church property.  The listing with the real estate agent was only made less than three weeks ago.

Johanna Medlyn only noticed the sign over the last weekend and this week some of the locals have gathered together and will put in an Expression Of Interest to keep the ”beautiful building in community hands”.

Some years ago in 2016 Joanna wrote to the Anglican Church when she heard that the church intended to privately sell the Pebble Church.

She points out that the land was donated for the church to be built on and that many hours of work and labour were volunteered by locals for the karting of pebbles from the then Peter’s Diggings. In a reply from the Anglican church to Johanna dated the 14th of September 2016 Bishop Curnow stated that no decision had been made in relation to the future of the church building.

“The church is currently closed and has been for some time” he said.  Further the bishop stated that there has only been one public service a year and the occasional wedding.  “The church is on the State Heritage register and therefore is of significance.  There will be no decision made without reference to the local community.”  he stated

To Johanna’s knowledge, that notification has not occurred.

Johanna said that the Medlyn’s owe it to their “patriotic grandfather PaBill (dec) who was so disappointed and shocked to hear it was being closed by the church and sold.

Johanna is hoping that the church can be retained for weddings baptisms family reunions and community use. She said part of PaBill's “father actually helped carry the pebbles”. For intended interested community members whether that be to give financial assistance to this cause or just support it with numbers of people can contact Johanna on 0438 392 027 but you'll have to be quick it all finishes this Friday!