If is not often that a church comes up for sale in the Eastern Bay, but that is what has happened in Edgecumbe with the Catholic Diocese seeking new owners for its once-thriving place of worship.

With the congregation in Edgecumbe having dwindled, St Anthony’s Catholic Church at 35 Main Street is no longer used, or needed, for weekly services. However, the site and the building still have much to offer the community, and the  Catholic Diocese is hoping a buyer will see its potential.

The 791-square-metre site sits between the War Memorial Hall and King Farm Services and is zoned residential but with a purpose of use for community groups. This means anyone wanting to purchase the church to renovate as a home would need council approval to change its purpose of use.

Similarly, a change of zoning may be required to use it for commercial purposes.
Most easily, the building would continue to serve the community as a place to congregate – a venue for dance or yoga classes, a meeting place for scouts or hobby groups, indoor bowls … the list of possible uses is long.

It is structurally sound with only cosmetic maintenance touch-ups needed – nothing a community working bee couldn’t tackle in a couple of weekends. And the result would be impressive because the bones are great.

Inside, the building comprises an entrance foyer that flows through to the congregational area and alter. With a vaulted ceiling with exposed beams, timber panelling on the walls and beautiful native timber floors, there is much that could be done to breathe new life into this building.

35 Main Street, Edgecumbe | Listed by: Property Brokers | Ph  07 307 0165
Sale by tender: Closing, Wednesday, September 24 at 3pm (no prior sale)
Open home  Sunday, 12.30pm-1pm
Agent: Michelle Oswald 027 448 7228