Facing a repair bill of more than $620,000, Werribee’s 130-year-old Crossroads Uniting Church may find some divine intervention handy if it’s to return to its former glory.
Originally known as St Thomas the Apostle, the bluestone church and an adjoining manse were built and funded by Werribee pioneer Thomas Chirnside at a cost of £3500 and opened as a Presbyterian church in 1884.
But the heritage-listed church, at the corner of Duncans Road and Synnot Street, requires urgent attention, with its sandstone detailing starting to crumble.
Paul Cochran, chairman of the church’s council, said the condition of the sandstone had significantly deteriorated since it was last repaired in 1974.
“An initial inspection found 17 blocks needed replacing at a cost of $46,000,” he said. “We were told some of the original slate was becoming porous and had caused water damage inside the church, which was going to cost a further $120,000.”
A subsequent inspection revealed the true extent of the problem, with 90 new sandstone blocks needed at a cost of more than $500,000.
Adding to the cost, the original sandstone was sourced from Barabool Quarries, near Geelong, which is now closed – so the church has had to source new sandstone from Germany.
Mr Cochran said while the Uniting Church was responsible for the building, he was hoping the congregation and wider community could assist.
The church will hold its annual fete on October 18 between 9am and 2pm.
Donations to: PO Box 2156, Werribee 3030, or phone 9741 1084.
