A CHURCH is significant for many people.
Whatever your religious beliefs, a church is somewhere we have all been for christenings and for weddings, and to farewell loved ones who have passed.
The Proserpine Whitsunday Uniting Church is just such a church, with countless services and events held there over many decades.
Obliterated by Tropical Cyclone Debbie, in 2017, the church has risen again, at its old home on the corner of Main and Herbert Streets, Proserpine.
The new church is due to reopen in August, for everyday use, with an official opening due to be held in October.
The new church is similar in size to the old church but wider and with spacious verandas.
It has been a long time coming, since the demolition of the old church, in December 2021 – see timeline below.
Since then, it has been a community effort – including donations of money through the Brick-by-Brick campaign – to bring back the church, loved by so many.
Whitsunday Uniting Church’s Rev. Suzy Sitton said everyone was very excited at the impending opening and there were many people to thank.
“We give thanks to God for the progress of the new church, as we draw closer to the time when we will enter our spiritual home,” Rev. Sitton said.
“This is not the building we envisioned but it is what we could afford, without going into debt.
“The insurance payment, our own mission development fund, and the generosity of many contributors to our Brick-by-Brick campaign have all enabled the church to be rebuilt.
“There are further costs including extended fencing between the neighbours, replacing the gardens, safety fencing for the children and a sound system, to mention a few.
“Perhaps this is Stage One and the dreams we started with – to extend out to Main Street, providing a youth space and office area – may be part of Stage Two.
“All donations up to the end of August will be part of the public acknowledgment.
“We say a big thank you to all our wonderful contributors – the architect, consultants, council and building inspectors – and especially Fergus Builders and their hardworking teams, who are building the church.
“Thank you for being on this journey with us.”
Rev. Sitton said the new church building represented seven sacred spaces ‘in which we dwell with God, listening to and singing and praying to Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit’.
The seven sacred spaces are the garden, quiet room, chapel/sanctuary, discernment, veranda, lobby/refectory, and creative space.
In October, there will be an official opening with dignitaries, a special church service and ceremonial dedication, and a public event with walk-throughs and sausage sizzle.
More information can be found at https://www.proserpineuniting.org.au
TIMELINE
December 2021 – Demolition of the old building
February 2022 to July 2023 – Concept design
August 2023 to Nov 2023 – Development design
December 31, 2023 – Finally turned the first sod
Early April 2024 – After the wet season, the ground works were prepared
End of May 2024 – Foundations were poured and the framework started
Early June 2024 – Roof trusses arrived
Mid-June 2024 – Steel beams were in place
July 2024 – Full steam ahead with roof, gutters, bricks, doors and downpipes
August 2024 – Cladding, painting, electrical, air conditioning, inside fittings.
