More than 20 families are seeking a new home for their children’s playgroup due to the impending sale of St Stephens Uniting Church at Williamstown North.
Church leaders are selling up to 56 properties statewide to recoup a $56 million debt incurred by last year’s collapse of Acacia College at Mernda North.
Altona mother-of-two Sharon Slater said the playgroup families had been meeting in the Melbourne Road hall for about 14 years.
“We’ve been given word that we would need to be out of the hall by Christmas,” she said.
“So I guess from next year we are homeless.
“I guess everyone was a bit disappointed and I think a bit shellshocked; you don’t normally think of a church being sold.
“I’m just hoping that the group doesn’t then have to fold up, and we’re able to find a new home.’’
Ms Slater said the group met for two hours on Thursday mornings, with each family paying a hall-hire fee of $25 per term. The children are aged up to four.
Uniting Church spokesman Nigel Tapp said there was no set date for when tenants would need to leave.
“There have been no dates put on when any party will need to vacate the church,” he said.
“If an elder did put a date on it then they are mistaken.
“Obviously it is an issue which will be determined by when the property is sold.”
A second manse at Yarraville’s Pilgrim Church will also be sold.
