The Moonta Mines Uniting Church is an important part of the history of this South Australian town, but some residents fear its future is now at stake after being put on the market.More than 1,000 have signed a petition to keep the church open to the public
The church was built in 1865 by members of the Baptist community who had migrated from Cornwall to mine copper. "Life back then was so simple and hard, and all they had was their religion, their church, their families and their work," Ms Coole said.The property is owned by the Uniting Church, which has decided to sell it, citing a decision to close by the local congregation.
The Moonta branch of the National Trust of South Australia administers an historic school museum, railway station, post office and miner's cottage."We believe that the church originally was built by the locals. It's been looked after by the locals all its time, and it should be handed back to the community," he said.