Reprieved count their blessings
PARISHIONERS at 25 Anglican churches across the state breathed a sigh of relief yesterday when word filtered through their properties had been saved.
Tears flowed at St Mary’s Church in Hagley when the minister made the announcement, and the congregation at St Stephen’s Church in Wynyard took a moment to reflect on what they believed was important.
For others, including Ruth Mollison at St John’s New Town Community Garden, it was the realisation that despite their best efforts they were unable to save their beloved place of worship.
“While we understand the church needs to make money for its reparation, we’re quite disappointed,” she said.
“We hoped it would be saved as the garden is considered a place of healing. We’re now hopeful the council or the government might buy the block.”
For Katherine Anderson of the Wynyard Parish, yesterday’s announcement brought sheer delight.
“We’re very pleased we saved our church from sale,” she said.
“It was a long process. We put up the money [to fund redress] in alternate ways and our parish is selling properties as well.
“It made us think carefully about what we believe is important to us as parishioners.”
She said every member of the 60-strong congregation was involved in efforts to save the 100-year-old church.
Parishioners at St Raphael’s in Fern Tree also said they were “relieved” their church had been spared.
The Hobart City Council went in to bat for the landmark church, which has survived two major bushfires.
“The congregation certainly made their voices heard both to the council and to the church, and congratulations to them for retaining it,” Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said.
“It’s gorgeous, it’s a beautiful building and it’s just so much part of the character of Fern Tree.”