This is a personal Web Site; it has no official connection with the St. Clements church at Camberwell or the Anglican ministry.
The views expressed are the personal views of the webmaster. I welcome input and can be contacted by Email or phone. The site was setup in an attempt to try and make public the state of repairs or otherwise to St. Clements church following the criminal damage committed in 2008 by a male "who believed he was god".

There is justifiable concern that the church may not be repaired at all, that the Newcastle diocese will take this opportunity to bulldoze and sell, redirect  the insurance (repair) money, The church was insured for $1.7 M and I believe an agreed ( by Newcastle) payout of about $1.4  has taken place. Maybe All Saints in Singleton is in debt, but I don't thing they are the fly in the ...
The insurance money and donations along with the proceeds of any sale would be a considerable financial gain.

It’s a fact that demographic changes find some churches in the wrong location to service their congregation and have become a burden to a diocese, but St. Clements has always paid its way.
Sadly many, many old church properties have been sold or closed. St. Lukes at Wollar near Mudgee (see Sun-Herald 27/9/09) is an example of what can happen.  The headline read "Unholy row: heritage church stripped bare", Then they tried for a rezone so they could sell the lot. There is a lot more to this than when it first appeared. The church has run into problems there too. I understand they are having rezoning problems at camberwell church.

Its regrettable that in the last 60 years many Anglican churches have closed in Australia and no new ones built. I was taught by the church that its role was to be of service to the community and not the other way around.

This church was not a financial burden to the Newcastle and was still paying fees for services that haven’t been held in the church since the arson in 2008. Services in the church are not possible due to structural damage accelerated by the arson. The cemetery is maintained from a separate trust fund and they are working on that as well.

The church is historical listed, but money is money. I believe the decision to make a play for the cash was made some time ago, but only made public Thursday 26Nov. 2009.

 Redirecting the "repair" money and the interest, amounts to stealing from the Camberwell and Singleton community.
A quote from their web"
"The Church of England's cathedrals and church buildings together form the nation's single largest 'estate' of built heritage." 

Have a look at the site http://www.churchofengland.org/about-us/our-buildings.aspx

Perhaps its time for another Martin Luther or John Calvin, coupled with the desire of a king to secure a divorce.....

Stewart

02-44721457