Plans to turn a former children’s play centre in East Bendigo into a church are before the City of Greater Bendigo.
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South East Bendigo Presbyterian Church is in the process of purchasing the old Mulligrub’s site – a move which pastor Russell Grinter said reflected the religion’s growth in the region.
Since its inception in 2013 – when they had a congregation of 10 – close to 100 people are associated with the church.
Read more: Mulligrub’s play centre to close
The church, which has been actively looking for a suitable property for two years, rents the Quarry Hill community hall.
“Our children’s ministry is currently in the kitchen, which isn’t ideal,” Mr Grinter said.
A self-described ‘plant’ church from St John's Presbyterian, the organisation has an average age of 31, with lots of young families, according to Mr Grinter, who suggested the church was bucking the religious trend in Bendigo.
According to recent Australian Bureau of Statistic census data, Bendigo is becoming more areligious.
In 2016, 35.9 per cent of people surveyed answered “no religion”, compared with 28.8 in 2011, and 22.8 in 2006.
Bendigo also had a greater proportion of people answer “no religion” compared with the state and national average in the last census.
In 2016, there were more non-religious people in Bendigo than Catholics (22.1 per cent).
Mr Grinter believed South East Bendigo Presbyterian Church’s growth came from its teachings and organisational structure.
“We preach and teach the bible and the difference God makes to life,” he said.
“A lot of people think that Christianity is about rules, for us it’s not about rules, it’s about the relationship with God through Christ and that's what attracts people.”
Presbyterian was Greek for elders, according to Mr Grinter, meaning the church focused on a plural leadership rather than one central figure like a pope or priest.
If the planning application is approved, the new church will be located close to the site of Bendigo’s first mosque, which is planned for Rowena Street, East Bendigo.
Construction of the mosque is yet to begin despite the COGB approving final plans for the project in July.
Mulligrub’s play centre shut in December with owners citing “lack of community support” for the closure.
