It is being dubbed as the biggest crisis to hit the parish in the 100 years since the original wooden church burnt down.

Rector of the Anglican Parish of Parkes Reverend Ron Spindler said maintenance has taken over ministry.

“This is all to do with maintenance,” Rev Spindler said.

“And it’s maintenance that is necessary right now.”

Recently the parish council agreed to engage the services of engineering company Barnsons Engineering to complete a structural report on the building to get an idea of impending maintenance costs.

The report highlights some areas of immediate concern including the steps to the south entry of the church, replacement of the slate path, and termite damage under the northern transept.

Repairs to these areas have been quoted at $7000 to replace the steps, $10,000 to repair the termite damage and $10,000 to replace the slate pathway.

Rector’s Warden John Unger stated in a letter to church members that “Due to our current financial position we are unable to pay for these repairs out of church funds”. 

Another area of immediate concern highlighted by the report is the roof leaking in several areas and letting water into the building.

It states the roof repairs should be completed as a matter of urgency to prevent further damage to the building.

Warden Unger’s letter says the cost of the roof repairs is far beyond the churches reach but will need to be faced at some point. 

As a result of the report, a motion to investigate the sale of the church building will be voted on at the next parish AGM.

Rev Spindler said he believes what’s happening is a wake up call.

“The church is in trouble. Finances have been decreasing on a gentle slope for the last 15 years,” he said.

“The congregation is a bit smaller but what do you do? People come, people go.

“The parishioners are giving and I’m hoping from pledges and fundraising we will we able to raise the money for the repairs.”