The Torbay site includes a community hall and an arts space. Photo / Supplied
The Torbay site includes a community hall and an arts space. Photo / Supplied
Residents in the Auckland suburb of Torbay have expressed their dismay after a local church was put up for sale.
St Mary by the Sea is on Deep Creek Rd and the site includes the Torbay Community Garden and Raft Studio. The site has a capital value of $4.7 million.
Reverend Dion Blundell told the Herald the church wasn’t relocating but “replanting” to Browns Bay with a new focus.
A replanting proposal from April 2025 said the parish was in a “low-foot traffic area”, with no onsite parking.
“Congregation numbers and giving continue to decline. Maintenance of current buildings is continuously deferred,” it said.
“We are re-orienting how our capital is used for greater positive social impact.”
The Torbay site is 2565sq m and is located down the street from the town centre. The site has Mixed Housing Suburban zoning, which means there are a variety of residential development options, including terrace-style housing or detached dwellings.
Real estate agent Thomas Snedden told the Herald the site has garnered positive interest so far.
“It has been a mix between occupiers and developers.”
The Torbay site includes a community hall and an arts space. Photo / Supplied
He said occupying meant a similar organisation could repurpose the buildings.
“It could be attractive to developers for residential purposes.”
In a post on its Facebook page, the Torbay Business Association said it had “mixed feelings” about the announcement.
“How wonderful it would be if the site could be expanded into a community hub for a broader range of Top of the Bays community groups and services.”
The organisation told the Herald the church had a few current community services that used the site.
“The Torbay Community Garden, RAFT Studio, the Torbay Community Pantry are situated in the front near the footpath.
“Alcoholics Anonymous appear to meet there. We are unsure what the sale will mean for them.”
Residents also feared the sale would impact the St Mary’s Pioneer Cemetery next to the church.
However, both Blundell and Snedden said the cemetery was situated on a separate title and did not form part of the sale.
Blundell told the Herald the land was subdivided into the cemetery and church parts many years ago.
“The cemetery sits on a separate title, and is designated ‘public open space’ and sits in trust,” he said.
“The cemetery will continue in trust with our General Trust Board as the owners/kaitiaki. St Mary by the Sea will continue to manage the Torbay Cemetery.”
