Save St Paul's: A Community's Battle to Preserve Heritage
Save St Paul's: A Community's Battle to Preserve Heritage
Bankstown's historic Anglican church faces demolition amid redevelopment plans
On Monday 13 October 2025, the Canterbury Bankstown Local Planning Panel convened at 6pm to consider an application (DA-438/2025) proposing the demolition of all existing structures at 459 Chapel Road, Bankstown — the site of the historic St Paul’s Anglican Church.
The decision carries significant weight, as it will determine whether the church, a longstanding community landmark, will be replaced by a redevelopment project aimed at delivering social and affordable housing alongside new community facilities.
St Paul’s Church is more than a building; it is a repository of Bankstown’s history and community spirit. Established in 1914, the church was constructed in stages through the Depression and post-war years, with each brick and stained-glass window telling stories of local families, volunteer efforts, and community resilience.
Despite heritage consultants commissioned by the applicant concluding the site does not meet local heritage listing thresholds, the public response was strong, with 36 unique objection submissions received during the notification period.
On the day of the panel meeting, a peaceful protest took place outside St Paul’s and council chambers. Participants gathered for prayer before marching along Chapel Road, chanting “Save Our Heritage” with megaphones and waving the Australian flag, drawing attention from passers-by and shoppers.
Speakers at the council chambers included Clr Barbara Coorey, Dr Roy Lumby (heritage specialist), Rev Dr John Bunyan (Hon Chaplain), Bing Wu (Public Officer, Save St Pauls Bankstown Inc), and community representatives. The Anglican Property Group and St Paul’s warden also presented their views.
"I am disappointed in the church's response that the building has no heritage significance," said Clr Barbara Coorey, Independent Councillor for Canterbury-Bankstown and former Deputy Mayor of Canterbury Council.
The Anglican Diocese of Sydney has argued that the church is financially unsustainable due to costly roof repairs and supports redevelopment to provide affordable housing. However, many parishioners feel betrayed by this stance, viewing it as a prioritization of financial gain over community heritage.
Heritage experts such as Dr Sue Rosen and Dr Roy Lumby have emphasized the church’s architectural and social significance, describing it as a rare and intact example of Interwar and Post-War ecclesiastical architecture, and a living record of Bankstown’s multicultural history.
Legal precedents offer some hope for preservation efforts. Cases like Re Corporation of the Synod of the Diocese of Brisbane [1995] and Flower & Samios Pty Ltd v Mosman Municipal Council [1993] highlight the importance of trust documents, heritage value, and community land protections in disputes over church property.
Investigations have also revealed that the Sydney Anglican Church holds significant assets and profits, casting doubt on claims of financial hardship used to justify demolition.
The fight to save St Paul’s continues, with community members, heritage advocates, and legal experts exploring all avenues to preserve this emblem of Bankstown’s past and future. We will keep you updated as the story unfolds. You can follow the action group on their website or Facebook page at www.savestpaulsbankstown.org.au.
📚 St Paul's Bankstown Investigation Series
A comprehensive investigation into corruption, spiritual abuse, and the fight to save a sacred space
Total Reading Time: ~54 minutes
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