South Sydney Bishop Rob Forsyth swung a sledgehammer and smashed a hole in the ruins of the old St Barnabas Church on Friday as demolition works got under way in preparation for construction of a new church.
The St Barnabas Church site on the corner of Mountain Street and Broadway in Ultimo will spring back to life over the next 2 years as a new $15 million building is erected. It will include meeting rooms, catering facilities, underground parking and worship space for 600 people.
Bishop Forsyth said the St Barnabas congregation has coped well in temporary premises, but would be energised by once again being part of the community around Broadway. “Having their own space will mean a remarkable lift to their spirits,” he said.
The original church was razed in a fire caused by an electrical fault in May 2006. Before that it had served as a place of worship for the people of Broadway for 150 years and in the 1980s was famous for its noticeboard duels with the pub across the road. Since the fire, the Church has operated out of premises in Newtown.
Mike Paget, executive Pastor at St Barnabas, said the church initially considered options such as renting instead of rebuilding, but decided to stick with the central location. “We’re really looking forward to a much larger platform with which to serve the city,” he said.
The building was designed by architectural firm Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp (FJMT) after they won a design competition held by the church.
Annie Hensley, an architect with FJMT, said a key feature of the building was its curved roof, which would allow indirect light from outside to wash over the worship area. “The way light is built in a church is very important,” she said.
“When you’re in the space you have this beautiful diffuse light.
Phil Norcott, a church member for two years who lives in Glebe, singled out a large meeting space as a key attraction of the new building. “I’m looking forward to being able to be part of the community around here,” he said.
An insurance payout and fundraising have seen the church raise $11.5 million towards the $15 million needed for the entire project. It will be the first new church built in the city in 40 years. Building should commence in April and be finished by the end of 2011.
Local residents close to the Church should still be able to rest easy on Sunday mornings however. Reverend Paget said the new church won’t have any room for church bells. “I’m not sure how you’d hear church bells over the traffic anyway,” he said.
by Aaron Cook
