Percy from the Pews Which church?
I have a question for the leadership of the Anglican Church in Tasmania. What is their decision on the future ownership of the historic Holy Trinity Church in North Hobart?
Expressions of interest for this were advertised and closed at the start of November, and I have heard, from several sources, that the church and its adjoining centre have been sold to the Greek Orthodox Church of Australia.
I understand the decision was reached by the Tasmanian Anglican Diocese at the beginning of this month, but there has so far been no public announcement, so will Bishop John Harrower now confirm the deal has been done?
I am not the only one keen to know. In a letter published by the Mercury on December 2 – under the heading “Unholy mess” – West Hobart correspondent Robin White also asked the question about what is happening with this iconic building. I would have thought that letter a sufficient trigger for the media to be asking questions of the bishop.
It is more than a year since he closed and deconsecrated Holy Trinity, the reason given that they could not afford the cost of repairing the church’s deteriorating sandstone exterior.
Essentially linked to Holy Trinity’s sale is the crucial Conservation Management Plan for it which was funded by Hobart City Council. This very detailed document states the need for the property to be saved because of its considerable significance to Australia’s built heritage.
