With an aging Parish population and volunteer numbers decreasing, coupled with more and more complications in administering a “business,” the decision was made to close the shop.  

The building remains the property of the Wingham Anglican Parish and a new tenant is being sought to keep the Wingham business centre growing.

The Wingham Anglican Church Op Shop has not always lived at 51 Isabella Street, Wingham.   Many older (and not so old) locals will remember this address as Mrs Burges’s Shop – a “general” store for adults and a treasure trove for children and their pocket money. Mrs Burges’s Shop became the property of the Anglican Parish of Wingham as part of a bequest made to the Parish upon Mrs Burges’ death.

The shop has had many tenants over the years and has been reinvented as a record shop, second hand furniture shop and even a hardware shop.

The Anglican Parish of Wingham is committed to ministering in the community and as such has for many, many years had an op shop. In 2011 the op shop was moved from it’s then site, in Bent Street, to 51 Isabella Street to continue to provide clothing, bric-a-brac, furniture, financial assistance and care to those in our town who needed help. The Rector and Parishioners saw (and continue to see) the situation of those less fortunate in their midst and were happy to offer a helping hand to those in need.

The Parish extends thanks to the people of Wingham for their support over the years and to those who gave of their time in volunteering. Many wonderful friendships have been forged at the op shop.

A Parish spokesperson said “we are sad to see the shop close, but remain committed to our continued work in ministering to the Wingham Community and would encourage those who need help to contact the Rector, Brian Ford, on 6553 4043.”

The Parish has three centres of worship and all are welcome to attend services at St Luke’s Tinonee on Sundays at 7.45am, St Matthew’s Wingham on Sundays at 9.45am and St Mark’s Marlee on the first Sunday of each month at 2.30 pm.