Bishopscourt sale to be considered
Anglican Church Diocese of Sydney
Media Release
Saturday September 25th, 2010
Bishopscourt sale to be considered
The Synod of the Anglican Diocese in Sydney in October will consider a motion to allow the sale of the residence of the Archbishop, "Bishopscourt" in Darling Point.
"Bishopscourt" (formerly Greenoaks) was built in the 1850's by wealthy businessman Thomas Sutcliffe Mort. It was bought by the church to replace the original "Bishopscourt" at Randwick and has been the official residence of the Archbishop of Sydney since 1911.
A sale of the neo-gothic mansion was first mooted in 1982, under Archbishop Donald Robinson. The idea was not proceeded with but again in 1991, a report was put to Standing Committee citing "compelling reasons' for the sale of the property.
In 1993, Archbishop Harry Goodhew called for the construction of a new residence and the matter was raised again in 2001 and in 2007 when Archbishop Peter Jensen asked the Diocesan CEO to again look into the advisability of a sale.
The resulting report has now recommended the matter be taken to Synod in 2010 for debate.
An election for the next Archbishop is due in 2013.
The Bishop of South Sydney, Robert Forsyth, says "Of course, there are arguments both ways. But there is a feeling that such a grand and imposing residence is out of character for the Archbishop of Sydney in the 21st century. Furthermore, with a restructure of assets well underway, Bishopscourt can be classified as too large an asset to have just housing the Archbishop."
Archbishop Jensen has made extensive use of Bishopscourt for entertaining, conferences and guests. In 2008, he invited the senior ministers of Anglican churches across the diocese to a series of two day conferences at the house.
Bishopscourt is listed on the Register of the National Estate and is one of the most significant properties in Sydney.
Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, once a chorister at St Andrew's Cathedral, lived in Greenoaks Avenue just below Bishopscourt and used to look for its chimneys as a landmark when he flew in over the harbour.
The core of the mansion was designed by F J Hilly with later additions by Edmund Blacket in academic gothic style. Professor Leslie Wilkinson, the influential head of the Architecture Faculty at Sydney University designed additions to the property in the 1930's.
For more information call Archbishop's Media Adviser, Russell Powell on 0411 692 499
