THE historic All Saints Cathedral is set to go under the hammer.
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A remnant of Bendigo’s first days in the gold rush era, the church was built in 1858 and has never before been offered for sale.
The iconic building could now become a residential or commercial property after it goes to auction on Friday March 28 onsite at McKenzie Street.
Bishop Andrew Curnow said the Anglican Diocese of Bendigo no longer needed the site and the decision to sell had been in the pipeline for five years.
“It has taken a long period to reach this point,” he said.
“It is a very significant site historically.
“In the first stage we had to consult conservation management to develop a plan from a historical and heritage point of view.
“It was a long planning process with the council to have it rezoned suitable for sale.
“We are selling the site as we no longer need it and to retain it we would need to spend a very large amount of money on it.”
Two congregations are still meeting at the church and the Diocese is in discussion with them to relocate.
“It is not a shock; I think part of them feels sad and the other feels it is time to move on,” he said.
“I will be sorry to see the site go, it has been in the Church’s hands since the gold rush. but the time has come when we can no longer resource it.
“We would like to see what someone else can do with the site.”
Agent Craig Tweed, from First National Tweed Sutherland who is auctioning the property in conjunction with Burgess Rawson, said it was a “special” property.
“It is the first time it has ever been put up for sale,” he said.
“It is selling in two lots.
“Lot number 1 is the original cathedral on 4154 square metres of land, which includes a two storey brick building.
“Lot 2 is 1147 square meters of land, with two buildings wrapped into one.
“It includes the former headmaster’s residence built in 1877 and adjacent is the former school. Behind these are the former stables.
“It is absolutely stunning and is on a par with Fortuna for prominence and heritage as one of Bendigo’s earliest buildings.
“It has commercial one zoning so it could be used for business, residential or for hospitality.”