ADAMSHURST will become the permanent residence of St Matthew’s Archdeacon Peter MacLeod-Miller after his family clinched the sale of the historic Albury property yesterday for more than $1 million.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Father MacLeod-Miller will relocate from his home of the past four years, the St Matthew’s rectory, in coming weeks with his Sydney-based mother, Sandra, planning to make more visits to Albury.
Last month Adamshurst was passed in at an auction conducted by Stockdale & Leggo, Albury in conjunction with L.J. Colquhoun Dixon, for $875,000.
It was subsequently placed on the market for private sale at $1.35 million.
Father MacLeod-Miller attended the auction and declined to reveal the final purchase price.
“I paid more than I wanted to, but not more than my mother could afford,” he said.
The purchase of Adamshurst cements Father MacLeod-Miller’s long-term future in Albury after revealing he had knocked back two opportunities to return to parishes in England this year.
He said his mother had inspected Adamshurst twice in recent weeks, which helped clinch the deal.
“She said ‘as a family if you don’t do things together, you might as well not have one at all’,” Father MacLeod-Miller said.
“Between her, my brother and myself we’ve made this happen.
“This is a particularly interesting building.”
Father MacLeod-Miller also revealed Adamshurst would be used for church activities and community fund-raisers.
The church has been operating without a parish centre since its sale to Albury Council in 2008 for $2 million to create more space in QEII Square.
“Mum is particularly keen on raising money for young musicians,” he said.
“She comes from a very musical family and her mother was a ballerina.
“Mum had a ballet school as well and has been generous to our music foundation at St Matthew’s.
“In many ways this is an investment in the community.
“It is not just about bricks and mortar, it is really about the people of Albury.
“It is liveable, but there are some things I would like to do.”
Adamshurst ceased operating as a function centre and restaurant late last year.
Former owner, Gary Morgan Properties, bought the 122-year-old property and its expansive surrounds from Greater Southern Area Health Authority eight years ago.
