Despite attempts to retain it as a place of worship, the Rokewood Uniting Church has been sold to a private buyer.
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Following an expression of interest process that closed on Monday, a Kangaroo Ground couple was reportedly selected by the Uniting Church as the preferred buyers of the 4000-square metre property.
The property, sold by Colac real estate agent Charles Stewart, was expected to sell for between $425,000 and $465,000, but director Anthony McDonald said the final price surpassed that.
"We can say that the sale price exceeded the expectations we had prior to the close of expressions of interest and the church was very pleased with the outcome," he said.
The sale comes after attempts by the community and Golden Plains Shire Council to prevent the church from changing hands.
Last Friday in an unscheduled meeting, council moved to write to the Minister for Regional Development to ask about the state government acquiring the property and entrusting it to the presbyterian church.
That was then put on hold when councillor Owen Sharkey issued a notice of motion to rescind the motion for further discussion at the next council meeting this coming Tuesday.
Council also agreed to note a community petition regarding the church and asked officers for a report regarding potential heritage protections over the property.
Golden Plains Shire Mayor Helena Kirby said the sale was expected, but efforts to retain the church for community use were plowing ahead.
"It's a shame they didn't really consider passing it back to the presbyterian church because there was a group in the community expressing an interest in regenerating the community with having church services and getting a youth group happening and bringing other services to the town," she said.
"I think, overall, as far as we know, the church has not been signed, sealed and delivered so, at this time, I still think it's imperative that council writes to the minister to find out what she can do for the community.
"The motion has been rescinded and I look forward to it being presented again at our council meeting for further discussion."
Cr Kirby said the move to save the church was about retaining a historical community asset.
"First and foremost, to be losing the heritage because it was built and paid for by the residents of Rokewood and having a last ditch attempt to save it for the community," she said.
"As for any new owners, this is nothing to do with them, it was about transparency and bringing it to council.
"It was a last ditch effort to get the church to hand it back to the community and being open and transparent as a group to bring it forward and let any purchasers know that they were still trying to save the church for Rokewood.
"It's been a challenging event and I think, at the end of the day, I hope other communities can learn from what has happened in Rokewood."