One bedroom, stained glass windows, and the ashes of loved ones
The historic Church of England in Riddells Creek is about to be sold to developers according to several sources and documents viewed by the Midland Express, despite efforts from the Church to keep its sale under wraps.
Fr Scott Mudd has been the region’s vicar since October last year. He sent a letter on May 12 to parishioners and cited the decision to sell its entire site was to benefit the redevelopment of a parish property in Gisborne.
“To realise the necessary funding for the redevelopment of Fisher Street, we will be seeking approval from the Diocese of Melbourne to sell the entire site of St John’s, Riddells Creek,” Fr Mudd wrote.
Brett Collins, the parish warden, told the Express this decision had since been halted but didn’t give further explanation as to why.
“There are now some alternative options,” Mr Collins said.
“We’re in pastoral care mode at the moment and there are only a few worshippers at the church. We’re just ceasing services at the moment.”
John Ball, an honorary caretaker of the church grounds – with blessings from a previous vicar – said Collins had told him otherwise.
“Brett said to me, ‘the future of the church is up to the developers and it would make a nice house’,” Mr Ball said.
He added that John Henry, a solicitor and a member of the church reiterated this sentiment.
“He repeated the news three times [that St John’s was being sold] before I spoke, adding that the sale was not my business or of anyone outside the church.
“I said ‘I beg to differ’. While I’m not a parishioner, I’m a person of the town and I’ve been to many weddings and funerals there.
“Half the town has a connection there. It’s one year off the centenary and they’ve not told the town. It’s being sold without them knowing.”
MUDDY’S MUSINGS
In the Riddell Roundup’s latest edition, issued June 4, Fr Mudd’s column, Muddy’s Musings, discussed future events in the church calendar at the Gisborne and Macedon parishes. It also mentions a James Bond themed trivia night.
Despite this, there was no mention in the Riddells Creek community newsletter their own parish was having its final service after 160 years on June 7.
Mr Ball said he believed the motive to sell was a fait accompli.
“There is no mention of it in Fr Mudd’s latest column. That’s an extraordinary thing. Churches belong to the people and they’ve not been told. It’s one of the last few remaining historical buildings in the town,” he said.
According to the church’s own documents, it has “operated from as early as 1858”, and was relocated to its current location in 1926 on land donated by John Riddell. Its centenary is next year.
Robin Godfrey, secretary of the Gisborne and Mount Macedon Historical Society, said the Parish Council hadn’t considered this historical significance.
“It belongs to the history of the town. Not just the seven parishioners. I have an obligation to look at the history of this Church. Putting it in the hands of a developer – they wouldn’t care about the historical significance, that would deter their development,” Mr Godfrey said.
HOUSE OF CARDS
The Parish Council is made of 12 members who voted in favour of selling the site, according to Collins.
A source within the church, who declined to be named due to potential repercussions within their community, said the seven parishioners were most disturbed.
“What will happen with all the items that were donated by worshippers? What about those who have scattered the ashes of loved ones in the church’s gardens? They haven’t said anything to that at all. In 1984 the parish got together and raised $7000 ($26,460 AUD today) for the stained glass windows that are there now. What will happen to them?” the source said.
The Diocese of Melbourne lists affiliate churches on their website and St John’s is currently not listed. If sold, it will add to the growing list of regional Anglican churches across Australia that have been decommissioned since 2018. This has mostly been due to the National Redress Scheme to compensate victims of sexual abuse.
Fr Mudd declined to respond to requests for comment. However, his letter did acknowledge the grief their decision would cause.
“Change always carries a measure of grief, especially when it touches places dear to our hearts. Yet we hold fast to the truth that the Church is not built of stone alone, but upon the living stones of God’s people.”
St John’s is made of wood.
