Hāwea Flat’s historic Presbyterian church, St Ninian’s, has been sold to a Queenstown buyer.

The 87-year-old church was listed in December 2024 and church representatives shared the news of its sale yesterday afternoon (Thursday February 27).

“Our Queenstown-based buyer will settle the property later in the year, with the view to maintaining and enhancing both the building and surrounds, and making it available to hire for events.”

The sale of the 87-year-old church had generated a lot of interest from the Hāwea community.

A group of residents had mooted the idea of retaining it for community use but they were unable to get this across the line.

Minister Reverend Aaron Johnstone said he was grateful the purchaser did not plan to convert the church into a private residence and it would instead “remain available to the community”.

The church had been listed for sale because the local congregation had outgrown it, he said.

The new buyer will settle the property towards the end of the year and, until then, the church will remain at St Ninian’s.

The construction of a new church within the Longview subdivision at Lake Hāwea is expected to begin this year.

PHOTO: Southern Presbyterians