By Ruza Zivkusic
THE anonymous buyer of Keilor’s historic church is negotiating with Brimbank City Council to lease the 129-year-old Christ Church for the community.
Kevin Rowles, a Keilor resident and member of the local historical society, said the Keilor man who bought the church earlier this month planned to lease it out for the next 20 years, until his retirement.
Mr Rowles added that a committee of management made up of residents was also being set up.
“The council agreed in principle to lease the building but, as yet, they haven’t come up with a satisfactory offer,” Mr Rowles said.
The Anglican Parish will use the church for another nine months, until its new church is built in East Keilor.
Mr Rowles said that a congregation was needed to use the church on Sundays, once the Anglican Parish moved out.
“We’re hoping that the council will take a permit lease on it. We need to avoid the situation where it’s not used,” he said.
Councillor Kathryn Eriksson said she was not aware of any meetings between the buyer and council, but said she supported the offer.
“It would be a good outcome if we could do something like that to keep it in the community,” Cr Eriksson said.
Council did not respond to Star’s questions before going to print.
