Council refuses to mow Coptic Church’s lawns
A Coptic Church committee will not be deterred after the Timaru District Council turned down a request to mow their lawns.
The request by the committee to maintain the former Chalmers Church’s grounds was turned down by councillors earlier this week after they decided it could ‘‘set a precedent’’.
However, Coptic Church member and committee vice president Hesham Mikhail said he was hopeful some agreement could eventually be worked out.
Mikhail said the church had asked the council to take over the maintenance of the grounds on Elizabeth St because the committee struggled to keep up with the work.
Maintenance included mowing lawns and the pruning of trees and roses.
Until recently, Mikhail had been mowing the lawns before a shoulder operation put him out of action.
Because of the site’s proximity to the central business district, and the church’s historical legacy, Mikhail felt the grounds needed professional services to enhance the landscape and make it more attractive to residents and visitors.
The church, now known as St George’s Coptic Church, was one of Timaru’s oldest buildings, he said.
It was purchased about a yearand-a-half-ago from former owner Dean van Buuren.
The Coptic congregation had been using the church for about three years.
Mikhail had forged an agreement with a commercial firm nearby which owned the land and playground equipment adjacent to the church.
The firm’s contractor would extend the work to include the church grounds.
The church had a small congregation of about 45 people.
However, Mikhail was not deterred by the council’s decision. ‘‘We will knock on the door again and see how we go,’’ he said.
The matter was discussed at a community services committee on Tuesday. However, councillor Dave Jack said such a move could set a precedent. ‘‘I don’t support it. ‘‘I know it’s local ... a nice green space, but it stops there. It’s their responsibility, full stop.’’
Councillor Sally Parker suggested the committee contact the Department of Corrections to get someone to do the work as part of their community service.