Sometimes you can only scratch your head and wonder why something is what it is.
That’s what I have been doing since this story came along last year about the local Anglican parish wanting to demolish St James, the beautiful little church that fronts Redfern Road, opposite Minto Public School.
The St James Anglican Church at 2 Kent Street, Minto was first built 120 years ago in 1897.
It was originally erected on the corner of Minto Road and Cumberland Road and was dismantled and re-erected on its present site in 1918.
As the picture here shows, none other than the then Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, The Reverend John Charles Wright, made the long trek to Minto for the laying of a second foundation stone.
I am not an Anglican but I would support the notion that just that act by the Archbishop lends substantial historic significance to the old church, which is no longer used.
Religious services are held a few metres away in a newer building, which looks anything but like a church.
Given the choice I know which of the two structures I’d demolish.
The two times its demolition application has come before council its spokesperson has said it would be too expensive to repair the old church.
To their credit, Campbelltown’s elected representatives have stood firm and rejected the parish application for demolition of this little historical gem.
Locals reckon it’s the oldest standing building in Minto Village and I can’t disagree.
Indeed it may be the only building of historical value between Pembroke Road and the railway line.
In any case, I just don’t get the church’s stance on this issue.
They own a marvellous historical structure that was blessed 100 years ago by the most senior Anglican in Australia, and why they don’t want to keep it, well, God only knows.
