Bishopscourt, Newcastle sold by Anglican Diocese

The Anglican Diocese of Newcastle has sold Bishopscourt on The Hill to a local purchaser.

The sale was negotiated by Scott Walkom and Kate Rundle of Walkom Real Estate with the Diocese confirming that the price achieved was in excess of the amount mentioned in recent media reports.

The church was reported as expecting to sell for more than $4.75 million. 

The 4,130 square metre Brown Street property housed the city’s successive Anglican bishops until current bishop Greg Thompson chose to reside elsewhere.

The seven bedroom, four bathroom 1929 Bishopscourt is not heritage listed but parts of its grounds are. 

Last year, the Anglican Synod gave the greenlight for the Newcastle sale to be considered. At the time Bishop Greg Thompson asked the Synod to consider “the economics of having this property, the suitability of it as the home of the Bishop and family, and the historic sentiment of previous bishops who lived within it.”

The Diocesan Council and Trustees of Church Property approved the sale in March.

The proceeds of the sale will go towards providing a residence for the Bishop of Newcastle and any additional funds will be invested to both look after that property and to assist with the costs of episcopal ministry in the Diocese.

The Sydney Bishopscourt failed to sell on its recent listing.