Come clean, Bishop Harrower

Christian Garland
“Expressions of Interest to buy Holy Trinity and contents were submitted by various parties in early November. We were advised by senior Anglican authorities that Bishop Harrower would announce the successful bidder on 16 December, but almost two weeks later, we are still waiting to hear” Dr Garland said. Rather than bidding for the church, the Holy Trinity Support Group strongly endorsed the submission made by the National Trust of Tasmania to buy it and the precious heritage memorabilia and moveable objects.

MEDIA RELEASE (issued 26 Dec 2008)

SALE OF HOLY TRINITY CHURCH, HOBART

Contact: Christian Garland (Chair, Holy Trinity Support Group)

website www.holytrinityhobart.org

Chairman of the Holy Trinity Church Support Group (Hobart), Christian Garland, has called on Anglican Bishop of Tasmania, John Harrower, to inform the general public about who will be the new owner of Holy Trinity Church. Bishop Harrower has closed more than 20 churches in Tasmania since arriving in Tasmania in 2000, none being more significant or loved by the community than Holy Trinity. In 2007 more than 6500 people signed a petition to save and restore the church.

“Expressions of Interest to buy Holy Trinity and contents were submitted by various parties in early November. We were advised by senior Anglican authorities that Bishop Harrower would announce the successful bidder on 16 December, but almost two weeks later, we are still waiting to hear” Dr Garland said.

Rather than bidding for the church, the Holy Trinity Support Group strongly endorsed the submission made by the National Trust of Tasmania to buy it and the precious heritage memorabilia and moveable objects.

“The National Trust is the premier heritage conservation organisation in Australia and we agreed to work closely with them to raise restoration funds, open up the church for various community uses and hold Sunday worship services” Dr Garland added. “Working with the National Trust was the best and most logical way to save and restore Holy Trinity, and we believe most Tasmanians would be delighted to proceed in that way.”

“But the National Trust bid has been declined in writing by the Anglican Diocese of Tasmania. Instead, we understand the church has been offered to another denomination. It’s overdue for Bishop Harrower to tell us all, clearly and openly, what is happening.”

Dr Garland would not comment on the identity of the likely new owner, saying that it was the Bishop’s responsibility to do this.

The Conservation Management Plan recently released by Hobart City Council, strongly recommended that the internal ambience be preserved in terms of all its furnishings, silverware, plaques and other moveable objects. “It would be a heritage tragedy if these are lost to Holy Trinity and Tasmanians” Dr Garland said. “We have serious concerns that a new owner may dramatically change the church interior to suit their worship style. Will our view of some of the memorabilia become obscured or will some of the precious heritage be removed or even sold off? What will happen to the organ if it is not played regularly?

“Bishop Harrower must tell us what is going on and he must personally guarantee our precious heritage will be respected and preserved” Dr Garland stated.