Built in 1884, the building has served as a community focal point for more than 133 years, where people have gathered for regular church services, weddings, christenings and to farewell those who have passed-away. 

Church attendances have dwindled in recent times and a final religious service was held at the church on Sunday, May 7. 

It was after this service that the Bungwahl and District Progress Association, which has been campaigning for the retention of the church, says it was advised the church would be sold. 

The association fears if the church is sold it could be knocked down and the site re-developed. 

The Great Lakes Advocate contacted the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle, where a spokesperson said, “the process in relation to St James’ has not been completed and no final decisions have been made”.

“In October last year, the Anglican Parish of Forster-Tuncurry held a community meeting to discuss the future of the St James’ Church at Bungwahl,” said the spokesperson.

“The membership at St James’ has declined over the years. Every parish relies on the financial generosity of parishioners. The cost of maintaining buildings such as St James’ has become challenging for the parish.”

President of the Bungwahl and District Progress Association Jared Riske wants the parish to consider transferring the title deeds for the church to the community due to its historical significance. 

“I handed a letter to Archdeacon Les Forrester on October 8, 2016, containing such an appeal,” Mr Riske said. 

“This letter also highlighted our concerns about the lack of property maintenance and the lack of response in recent years to offers of help by volunteers (including financial help with repairs). 

“There was also no reply to this letter other than an indirect comment that the property sale was still being considered.

“Many people who know this church have expressed horror that this iconic building could be knocked down and forever lost as a part of our pioneering heritage.”

Mr Riske said a pioneer in the area and prominent mill owner, Alexander Croll provided the land for the church and most of the building materials including the windows and bell.

“Catherine Croll, the great granddaughter of Alexander, said she and her family are saddened and angered by the proposal to take this property away from the community,” Mr Riske said. 

“Alexander, she said, trusted the Anglican Diocese and would not have conceived that the diocese would ever wish to profit in this way from his, or the community’s goodwill.”

The spokesperson for the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle said, “the majority of the proceeds of the sale of a church building remain with the local parish to support its work”. The spokesperson added consultation at several levels has been going on for some time in relation to the church. 

Mr Riske said the association remains optimistic that with the help of the broader community the Anglican Diocese will decide to return the church property to the community.

“We see a bright future for this church building as an important historical site in this region and something that must be preserved for the generations that follow us. We must save it,” he said. 

“The Anglican Diocese of Newcastle no longer has a need for this building. The church building, the furnishings and land was given to the Anglican Diocese for safe-keeping for the community.

“The church was built by the community for the benefit of the community.”