Picture: J.L. “FRED” SMITH
THE auction of the former Saint Nicholas Anglican Church at Beachport attracted around 80 people when it went under the hammer Saturday afternoon.
Millicent Real Estate offered the stone building for sale on behalf of the Anglican Church from its elevated allotment on Railway Terrace.
Freelance auctioneer Allan Smith said the property was located close to town and measured 1000 square metres.
“I have seen these properties renovated quite well,” Mr Smith said.
“There should be a bid in the $200,000s.”
Despite several parties registering as bidders, no offers were made during the auction which lasted 10 minutes.
It was passed in on a vendor bid of $231,000 and remains on the market.
Millicent Real Estate proprietor Valerie Jones said she was confident the former church would sell in the near future.
The church building had been emptied of nearly all of its contents.
Its font and two bells in the bell-tower remain in place and are excluded from the sale.
The Anglican Church was represented at the auction by churchwardens Michael Bleby and Trevor Rayson.
A number of open inspections were held in recent weeks and on the day of the sale.
A formal service of secularisation and de-consecration led Millicent/Penola parish priest Father John Thompson had been held in July to mark the end of 95 years of continuous worship in the stone structure.
Constructed in 1923, the church has faced declining use in recent years with maintenance costs rising.
The Millicent/Penola Anglican Church Parish Council approached other Beachport denominations with a view to use their churches for services.
As a result, the Anglicans arranged to use St Matthew’s By the Sea Uniting Church in Foster Street for monthly services on a trial basis.
The next Anglican service will be held at 1.30pm on January 20.
