THE Anglican community in Kangaroo Flat has welcomed the signing of contracts for a new worship centre.
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The new $1.8 million centre will replace the historic St Mary’s church destroyed by an arsonist in the early hours of December 11, 2008.
Building committee chairman Colin Clark said the Anglican Parish and the wider community were looking forward to the completion of the new centre.
“It has been a long wait since 2008, when the old church was destroyed,” he said. “It was a terrible thing that occurred and we are just all really relieved that we can put it all behind us with the construction of the new centre.”
Mr Clark said the new centre would include a church, kitchen, offices, indoor toilets and a covered vehicle entrance.
He said the new centre would also be available for hire to the public. Local architect Hughes Cartwright designed the new centre with local builder Walsh and O’Meara contracted for construction. Mr Clark said the new plans were approved by the parish before going to the congregation for further input.
He said works would start next month and would be completed mid-2013.
Mr Clark said the new complex was funded through insurance money, fund-raising efforts and donations from the parish and Bendigo Anglican Diocese.
“We are very grateful to everyone who assisted in helping us fund the project, it is fantastic to see the community getting involved,” Mr Clark said. “It really signifies the importance of the church within Kangaroo Flat.”
Mr Clark said the parish was still looking for donations.
“We are still $250,000 short on funds,” he said.
Mr Clark said anyone wanting to donate to the building appeal could email the parish at anglicanparishf@bigpond.com
He said plans for the new centre were displayed on the parish’s website www.stmaryskangarooflat.com