Matthias is one of 108 properties, including 76 church buildings, the Anglican Diocese of Tasmania plans on selling to fund its $8.6 million involvement in the national redress scheme.   

The parish council of Holy Trinity Anglican Parish, which have stewardship of the church, believe they could retain the church if the expected financial contribution to the scheme was raised independent of its sale. 

Church warden Greg Parkinson said that amount was understood to be about $45,000. 

“We really need to try and to be assured that the community is behind us on this. From the parish’s point of view, Matthias is somewhat of a springboard for other church services in that community,” he said. 

On Sunday, the parish council will host a public meeting at Windermere seeking input from the community and to test its “willingness” to retain the church.

Parish rector Dane Courtney said the meeting was a positive step forward and was not aimed at stirring up anger in the community. 

“The parish believes we have a way of retaining St Matthias,” he said. 

“Part of the problem with so many of these churches is that they haven’t been well supported. The bishop has been clear that if we raise the money in other ways, that will be quite acceptable.”

Built in 1842, St Matthias is Australia’s oldest continuously used rural church.

Church member Dianne Duffy, who has relatives buried in the church’s adjoining cemetery, said she was “disgusted” by the proposal to sell. 

“Half of my family are buried here and the site is being treated like a piece of prime real estate,” she said. 

“I am disgusted and my parents would have been disgusted. Their niches are in the columbarium and if it sells, I want my money back.”

Descendants of the church’s founder Dr Matthias Gaunt previously lodged a submission to Holy Trinity, opposing the sale based on the church’s original deed of trust. 

Mr Parkinson said he believed the deed did provide grounds to dispute the sale, but that a legal battle was not the parish’s goal. 

Sunday’s meeting will be held at St Matthias from 2.15pm.