POTENTIAL COMMUNITY CULTURAL ENTERPRISE SITE

Opportunities such as this do not present themselves all that often. These 'buildings' are a part of Launceston's 'cultural landscape' and they are in the condition of changing or transforming into yet another manifestation of that 'landscape.'

There are values to be preserved, opportunities to be explored and heritage to be celebrated. Can Launcestonians stand by and allow 'market forces', fickle as they are, to dissolve into something less than what might be, what could be, possibly what should be?

There is time to start the discourse IF there is the will! 

Soon that will be revealed!

Launceston's Christ Church, Milton Hall to be 

sold off as Baptists seek new pastures 

Adam Daunt Community .

GOODBYE: City Baptist Church have opted to sell Christ Church and Milton Hall as they look to modernise their services in a modern facility. Picture: Paul Scambler 

 Two iconic Launceston buildings owned by City Baptist Church will be sold after 38 years as they search for a more modern home. ............................. "We live in a rapidly changing world and we're very conscious as a church that we have a really significant role to play in our society," he said. ............................. "We could see that the property was less and less suitable. A 19th century property isn't built for the 21st century. 

 SAD FAREWELL: Pastor Jeff McKinnon said it will be sad to say goodbye to the place which has been the Baptist Church home for nearly four decades. Picture: Paul Scambler

 ............................. "We've just come to a decision that to go forward and to be sustainable and to expand what we're doing we need a more fit for purpose property." ............................. The City Baptist Church are planning to modernise their ministry in the coming months, which factored into the decision to sell. ............................. The organisation does extensive work with minority groups including immigrants and the homeless community as well as their religious services. ............................. Last year, the church celebrated 180 years of worship since it was created. The Frederick Street properties are iconic Launceston fixtures and are said to have played host to key moments in history. ............................. Founder of The Examiner and Reverend John West delivered service out of Milton Hall but it is thought he also discussed the concept of federation and held Anti-Transportation League meetings there. The Anti-Transportation League was a central driver in concluding convict transportation to Tasmania, which was the last state to do so. ............................. Renowned historian Henry Reynolds credits the Milton Hall with being an important place in the history of democracy. ............................. Milton Hall was Launceston's first high school which became Launceston College. ............................. Pastor McKinnon said the costs of maintaining the properties meant that the church felt it was beneficial to seek alternatives. ............................. "Partly it's to do with the cost of maintaining it, the effort of it, the big pews rather than flexible seating and just a range of factors that didn't meet our needs," he said. ............................. "We've decided to relocate somewhere else in the inner city, possibly buying one or more buildings that would meet our needs. to provide offices and do the stuff we need it to do." ............................. After nearly four decades on the site, Pastor McKinnon said it would be sad to say goodbye to the historic site. ............................. "40 years is a long time, it's longer than I have been here and we do love the property, some people really love the beauty of it," he said. ............................. "It's a beautiful property for music, the church has wonderful acoustics and it has a wonderful organ in it so there's factors which are very significant for some people." ............................. The two heritage listed buildings will be advertised for a week before a tender process, which will run until September 1, takes place.