"Heartbroken", "sad" and "very stressful".
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That's how parishioners have responded to news the Anglican Diocese of Grafton has started the process to sell-off selected parish sites.
Already earmarked sites include, St James' Church at Byabarra, St Cuthbert's Church at Ellenborough and All Saints Church in Pappinbarra.
Each of the three communities' say they will defend their church from the fire sale.
Some parishioners have already met to discuss the future course for their congregation.
Byabarra's Gordon Burch - a lay reader at Wauchope Anglican Church - says the community has already discussed their options.
"We are doing our best to see if we can have some sort of a saving option for our church," he said.
"It's really sad that our heritage in the shape of these little churches like Byabarra, Pappinbarra and Ellenborough which have been the mainstay of our community here are being lost."
A spokesperson for the Anglican Diocese of Grafton described any potential sell-off as "early days".
"The Diocese is looking at a whole reconstruction program which may take years," the spokesperson said.
"If they decide some churches are being used so infrequently they may be offered for sale.
"There have been no decisions yet about which churches are being sold.
"No decision has been made about any church or any land or any building.
"It is a process of consultation with the parishes and the people who still go to those churches.
"Yes, this is what we are planning, but it will take a long time."
Mr Burch described his church as "a haven for people" and described the church's approach as "very abrupt".
"We are asking for a two-year period to see what the options are to save the little church, or it could become a community church," he said.
"We have written to the diocese and have made submissions to them, asking them for patience for these small communities.
"We need to explore other means of supporting the church if the Anglican Church won't support it," he added.
The diocese is expected to release details of a restructure for all its parishes.
Ellenborough's Phyl Hollis said "all our hearts are broken" with the news.
"What hurts us more than anything is that we lose a church to pay accounts off that are out of our control," she said.
"The Grafton Diocese have got this cut and dried, we have no leg to stand on."
St Cuthbert's was built over a century ago by residents from the up-river community.
The land was donated and the parishioners maintain the church at no charge.
The couple who mow the church surrounds don't attend church and also don't charge the congregation.
Eight children attend services at the church.
Pappinbarra's Mary Walker says the area is facing the very real possibility of losing its beautiful church.
"The land was donated by a member of the community, the church was built by the community, the grounds and building are maintained by the community, but the Anglican Diocese of Grafton is proposing to sell it," she wrote.
"You may not be a churchgoer and religion may not be your thing, but a letter expressing how you feel about this travesty would help. If you need more information you can contact Jean Hegarty on 6587 6077 or jeanmay@activ8.net.au
"The more noise we make, the better our chances of saving this iconic building," added Ms Walker.