St Ann's has been sitting idle for the past four years and the Presbyterian Church of Australia said the time has come to sell the landmark building.

While the decision was tinged with sadness, members of Paterson Historical Society and the church's last parishioner understand it was a tough decision that had to be made.

Lindsay Kidd said there came a time four years ago when he was the only one attending fortnightly Sunday services.

He said some members of the congregation had died, others had moved away.

"A few years ago there were about 15 of us and probably about 25 children attending Sunday school, but that petered out and in the end I was the only one going to church," Mr Kidd said.

Historical society president Cameron Archer, who wrote a book on St Ann's, said the church was built in 1842 after the congregation was established in 1838.

"It was one of the most active churches in the mid-19th century, then in the late 20th century numbers started to dwindle to such an extent that it couldn't sustain a congregation," Mr Archer said.

"It's a fine building and is certainly an important part of Paterson's landscape and the village itself.

"I guess we, in Paterson, look forward to it having a new life in one way or another."

Mr Archer said one of the features of the church was its stark interior, in keeping with Presbyterian tradition.

"Its interior reflects the heart and soul of Presbyterianism.

"There are few ornaments and a centrally located pulpit where the minister would run the service and also preach his sermon."

He said another feature of the church was its bell tower in a small structure.

"The bell was cracked when overjoyful parishioners rang it particularly hard when they learned World War I ended," he said.

Maitland Presbyterian minister the Reverend Russell Vandervelden said surveys and valuations were being carried out on the church but the Presbyterian Church of Australia in Sydney would make the final decision on its fate.

"It was the oldest continuing Presbyterian church in Australia until it closed," he said. "Now it has become a drain on the church's resources."