A meeting will be held tomorrow (Tuesday January 21) to discuss ideas around the evolving plan to retain Hāwea Flat’s St Ninian’s Church for community use.

The meeting will seek feedback on the idea of using the historic Presbyterian church as a museum space.

The 87-year-old church was listed for sale last month because the Hāwea congregation has “outgrown” it, according to minister Reverend Aaron Johnstone. The church plans to build a new church within the Longview subdivision at Lake Hāwea.

Anna van Riel is one of the locals coordinating ideas for the community to buy the church.

“After much deliberation an idea had been proposed to turn the church into the Vincent County Museum (the name is just a suggestion),” Anna said.

“With no museum in the area, and a proposed museum still a decade away, this could be a lovely opportunity to utilise a beautiful historic building in a fitting way.”

Some of the locals keen to retain St Ninian’s for community use: Back row, from left: Liz Maluschnig, Anna Shaw, Anna van Riel, Robyn Bardas, Hannah Brooks, Nic Woolford; front row: Lochie Urquhart and Jude Battson. PHOTO: Wānaka App

While ideas for the church mooted last month included a music venue, a cafe, art space, hosting courses and other events, Anna said “no one has really stepped forward to help make this happen”.

The idea of a museum may provide some traction, she said.

“We have a goldmine of history and artifacts woven into the community, and it would be special to have a dedicated space to put it.”

A meeting will take place on Tuesday (January 21) from 6.30pm at St Ninians for a community discussion. The real estate agent will be there to answer questions about the building, as well as someone from the Upper Clutha History Society. Local lawyer Grant Fyfe has agreed to work with the community group to provide advice.

Read more: Community hopes for church