Help save Austinmer's village chapel

A LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Our beloved “Village Chapel” on Moore Street opened just over a century ago. In this past century we have provided fellowship, family, community and youth activities; worship and ceremonial services, charity and general support for those in need.

After all those years, we are now in need. Structural repairs are needed to replace the existing piers supporting our church, which is suffering visible internal and external cracking as a result of the piers collapsing. We have received generous support from the Woden Grant funding made available by our Uniting Church Presbytery, Wollongong City Council Heritage Grant funds, a GoFundMe campaign, and donations from our congregation and local people. Repair work to replace the piers begins late this year although this is the first stage of repairs needed and our budget is tight. Recently we have had interviews with ABC Radio, WIN News and the Illawarra Mercury outlining our need for assistance.

We have a small congregation with many elderly people and wish to remind everyone that we are open to all. We are willing to accept new ideas and strategies from anyone so we can move forward into this fabulous century with renewed life, purpose and exciting new possibilities. Our congregation are a joyful group led by our minister Reverend Roselin Fisher who is outgoing, adventurous and caring.

Before the Covid-19 pandemic our church provided community events such as ‘Classics in the Chapel’: live performances by renowned classical musicians for concertgoers; street market stalls and community activities. We would love to see all these and more return in the future although we need support.

Donations can be made to IMB Bank BSB: 634 634 Account 100025704, the GoFundMe website or cheques posted to PO Box 3017 Austinmer NSW 2515.

Sincerely,

Oscar Madison

Secretary/Caretaker