A HISTORIC church is up for sale for the first time since being built in 1859.
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The heritage listed Taradale property has been unused for years with only two people left in the congregation and no priest at the Gothic-style church.
Anglican diocese of Bendigo property manager Greg McKerlie said it had an unusual design described as “Victorian perpendicular Gothic”.
“It’s quite a unique design,” he said.
“The architect only designed two churches in Victoria and it’s got lots of fantastic looking Masonic symbolism.”
The property has heritage overlays, but is touted as a restoration opportunity.
Mr McKerlie said the diocese had no concerns over the church being modified for other uses.
“It would make a lovely studio, a lovely music school, lovely lots of things,” he said.
“There’s also a big parish hall which is actually older than the church.
“It’s a very early development in the scheme of Victoria.”
The church replaced an 1856 wooden church and was designed by Thomas Turner.
Heritage Victoria notes the Davy Street church and hall are an important element of the early development of Taradale.
RT Edgar director Rick Landner said the church needed some work.
“But it’s a gorgeous old church,” he said.
“It’s one of the icons of the township of Taradale that’s still left and it’s the first opportunity for it to go into public hands.
“It’s quite a historic event.”