A piece of Keilor’s history is in danger of being lost to the community.
After numerous failed attempts to lease the former Christ Church Anglican at Keilor, the building’s owner is fed up.
He is considering selling if something isn’t done soon and is calling on Brimbank council to step in.
“I don’t want this to become somebody’s lounge room, but if something doesn’t eventuate that’s going to be what happens,” he said. “I can’t keep going. There’s land tax, there’s rates, there’s water, maintenance. The council should be looking after something that is heritage.”
The 140-year-old building, on Church Street in Keilor, was purchased 10 years ago and it has been sitting empty for six years.
“Allison Monkhouse Funeral directors were really interested in it and wanted to take up a 40-year lease,” the owner said “But it caused such a stink that we walked away.
“Then we had a GP who wanted to use it, but that was also knocked back after complaints … more recently, a person wanted to use it as a wellness centre and that got about 12 objections. It’s ridiculous – whatever comes here is going to get objections.”
He said he hoped the building could be preserved and remain a community asset.
“I know council aren’t going to buy it, but they could rent it off us and use it as a community space,” he said.
“I’m begging people to do something with this. It should be a no-brainer that we should be preserving this and using it for the community. Think of all the activities that could happen here.”
Keilor Historical Society president Susan Jennison said the building was of major significance to Brimbank.
“The most important thing is that this heritage building is preserved,” she said.
“There’s so much history in it and it forms such an important part of the region’s heritage, not just Keilor.”
Ms Jennison agreed the best option was for the building to be used as a community space.
“I think council renting it is the best option,” she said. “It could be used as an activity centre, house art shows, anything – but the most important part is that it would be used and preserved.”
