End near for church restoration

THE team behind the restoration works at St George’s Church in Battery Point broke bread last night to celebrate reaching the final stage of the project.

Highly skilled stonemasons started on the pediment, grand portico and parapets in October after spending five months repairing damaged and decayed sandstone on the 1847 church tower.

They still need to replace the cornice blocks, but the finish line is near, with the final section of scaffolding expected to be removed in late March.

It is the largest restoration project in St George’s long history. “The original scope amount was for 96 tonne of stone, but at this stage, we’re tracking towards about 112-114 tonne of stone that’s come down from Piles Creek in New South Wales,” project foreman Pete Harriss said.

“Although most of the time has been spent on the tower, the bulk of the job is actually in these cornerstones. It’s very rare to have a full cornice course replacement … the walls have never been stronger – I mean that very literally.”

Rector Reverend Victor Shaw and the church community last night hosted a thank you dinner for sponsors and the restoration crew, many of whom are from interstate.

“I’ve had the privilege of going up there a few times, just to check it out up close, and the work they’ve done is just superb craftsmanship,” Reverend Shaw said.

The Anglican Church, which first opened its doors in May 1838, is recognised nationally as a heritage building.