By NICOLE VALICEK
PARISHIONERS are rejoicing following the news St Stephens Church in Williamstown North will not be sold after a reversed decision made by the synod last week.
The 130-year-old property was one of 56 church properties to be sold to help repay a $56 million debt incurred by last year’s collapse of Acacia College at Mernda North.
The decision came following a public meeting held by the parish last Monday night in which a resolution to “wholeheartedly support” Supreme Court action against 20 members of the Uniting Church synod, who were trying to sell the church and adjacent hall.
Church elder and Save St Stephens convener Iris Whitehurst said the synod standing committee had decided that St Stephens could retain most of the property, including two tennis courts, with the exception of the manse at 177 Melbourne Rd.
Mrs Whitehurst said 23 different community groups used the hall and they were readying themselves for battle to defend the sale of the property.
“Community members couldn’t believe on Monday night we were saying save St Stephens and Tuesday morning it was done,” she said.
“The first week they told us it was so sad it was as if someone had died, now you can see some smiling faces.”
“Everyone was so excited people were jumping for joy.”
General Secretary of the Uniting Church Synod of Victoria and Tasmania Reverend Mark Lawrence said the Project Control Group had consulted eight different congregations in Melbourne and Geelong over the last two weeks.
He said aside from St Stephens “there were no other changes to the Synod’s divestment list”.
Member for Williamstown Wade Noonan who attended the meeting on Monday night, said St Stephens was an important community asset.
“It’s not often that David defends Goliath in a battle, but this is one of them.”
“It is a major victory for both the St Stephens congregation and community who have very quickly mobilised to send a very clear message to the church that this needs to be saved for the community’s continued use.”
