St Jarlath’s seeks help
St Jarlath's Church in Yarragon is in desperate need of a refurbishment and the parish is looking to the community for help.
The parish has launched the Church Refurbishment Appeal to help support the much needed works, which will cost around $60,000.
Included in the required works are repairs on the building structure such as the roof and weatherboards - repairs on the roof have already begun.
A committee titled Friends of Jarlath's Church project committee was formed earlier this year and is responsible for driving the appeal.
Church and finance committee member James Geary said in addition to structural repairs the church would like to make use of a patch of land, allowing it to be put to good use by parishioners and the community.
“We want to put in a community garden,” he said.
“There's a block we've had there for years... so a big down the line we'd like to put in a garden, and it will be some benefit for the community.”
He said it is time the church was repaired, at well over 100 years old.
St Jarlath's Church was built in 1899 and has stood on the corner of Campbell St Yarragon ever since. It is named after St Jarlath of Tuam, in Ireland, who founded a monastery and attached school.
Today it is still attended by more than 30 people for each mass and is a much-loved piece of Yarragon History.
Mr Geary said it has outlasted other churches of the same age in Yarragon and should remain standing.
So far, the church has received several generous donations from community members and organisations, including the Yarragon Lions Club.
Mr Geary said the building works will progress as funds are received.
To learn more or make a donation contact the parish office on (03) 5633116