By Margaret Maccoll
Almost 100 years on from its dedication in 1926 by Bishop Gerald Sharp St Lukes Anglican Church in Kin Kin has been closed for Anglican services and its future is in discussion.
St Lukes is one of three churches in the Cooroora Parish with the others located at Pomona and Cooroy.
Anglican Bishop Jeremy Greaves said it had been some years since regular services were held at St Lukes but at a recent town meeting community members expressed a strong desire to retain the building as a community asset.
“We’ve started to explore with them and with Noosa Council whether there’s an appetite to seek ownership of the property for the local community,” he said.
“We’re waiting to hear how that might work.
“Ordinarily when a church is closed and deconsecrated it is put on the open market. Some churches are converted into houses or cafes. Given the strength of interest in the community we’re going to explore other options.
“Many people have strong attachments to buildings for all sorts of reasons. They may have family attachments going way back.”
Bishop Greaves said the church would not move quickly on the church. The next step in disconnecting from the Anglican Church was a deconsecration ceremony to remove the religious blessing previously consecrated on it.
The process to deconsecration first required the matter go before Diocesan Council before being signed off by the Archbishop, Bishop Greaves said.
