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Old Methodist Church in Traralgon found to be of local historic significance to Latrobe City by heritage assessment

A heritage assessment of Traralgon's Old Methodist Church has been received by council saying that it is found to be of local historic significance to Latrobe City.

By news@gippsland - 5th July 2022 - Back to News

This heritage assessment follows council's unanimous vote in December 2021 to undertake additional engagement with the community to inform the decisions that will determine the future of the building, which was previously used as the Latrobe Visitor Information Centre. The assessment was completed by David Helms from Heritage Planning, who found that the building, referred to as the former Wesleyan Chapel (also known as the Traralgon Methodist Church), was of local historic and representative significance to Latrobe City.

Historically, the former Traralgon Wesleyan Chapel was the second church built in Traralgon and is now the oldest surviving church in Latrobe City, from 1879 up-to-date it is still accessible to the public as Visitor Information Centre

Undertaking peer review process

Several recommendations to council were made as part of the assessment, which covered the history of the building, its features, current condition and interim management guidelines.

The primary recommendation was to engage a consultant with experience in maintaining and repairing heritage buildings to undertake a peer review process of the 2021 building condition assessment. The peer-review process would seek to gain a better understanding of the costs and challenges associated with repairing the building.

Following completion of the peer review, it was recommended that council, in consultation with the community, further explore the feasibility of relocating the former Wesleyan Chapel.

Keeping community informed

Mayor of Latrobe City, Councillor Kellie O'Callaghan encouraged the community to review the report in full as council further considers the future of the building in line with the report's recommendations.

"The assessment provides a comprehensive review of the building's history and potential options for its future. A full copy of the report, along with background information about the process so far, can be found on the council website. We'll continue to keep the community informed as council progresses through the recommendations," said Cr O'Callaghan.

For more information and to view a copy of the report, visit the Update - Old Methodist Church page.

Pictures from Churches Australia website.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com