We all know that Sydney property prices can be pretty eye-watering! And, at the same time, it’s no secret that keeping ministry sites and facilities fit for purpose for future generations requires some serious investment. One parish in Sydney’s inner west is bringing these two facts together to unlock the future of ministry in their area.
Welcome to Christ Church Gladesville (including St Chad’s Putney following a 2016 amalgamation), which was in the blessed situation of owning a large rectory on Pile St, Gladesville, overlooking the shimmering waters of the Parramatta River. There’s no doubt the property represented a major asset, but one which required significant maintenance, as did the parish’s many other aging buildings across several sites.
To unlock this ‘asset vs income’ stalemate, the parish has entered Sydney Anglican Property’s Urban Renewal Pilot Program and made a decision that will deliver new and upgraded ministry and community facilities that will bless generations to come.
Last November, the parish sold the Pile St rectory and proceeds from the sale will be used to thoroughly redevelop their main site on Victoria Rd, Gladesville around the existing church building, as well as other properties at St Chad’s Putney and The Strand, Gladesville. Plans include construction of a large auditorium, new meeting rooms, kids and youth ministry spaces, early childhood education facilities and housing.
Sydney Anglican Property’s Senior Manager, Strategy & Development, Tim Green, said the project is a great example of putting our property assets on mission by unlocking the potential that can often be tied up in our parish buildings.
“Clearly, owning a property of the magnitude of the Pile St rectory is a significant blessing, and one we should be grateful to former generations for,” Mr Green said.
“But we don’t want to own property just for the sake of owning it. What we really want to do is to put those assets on mission for the gospel.
“By selling the property, we can deliver not only some excellent new ministry facilities that will bless the saints at Christ Church, Gladesville, but we can deliver some much-needed facilities that will bless the surrounding communities as well.
“The redevelopment of the main church site will also enhance the engagement with the bustling Victoria Rd frontage, providing a hub for the local community.
“A distinctive marker of the Anglican model of church is that we have a parish presence in every community across our Diocese. So the communities we’re a part of are not just places on a map, they are OUR communities.
“We want to serve those communities with the blessings we ourselves have inherited, in order to commend the gospel ministry our parishes are undertaking week by week.”
Planning is at the early stages, with concepts for the various sites currently under development.