Big plans to refurbish Bereen church following the announcement of a $14,480 State Government grant, Vicar Hugh Cox, left, wardens Ali and Ian McDouall, Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall and partitioners Sue McDouall, Rick McDouall.
Monday, 18 January 2021.
NEW piers and a fresh outlook will provide the historic St Mark’s Bereen Presbyterian church with the strength to keep serving the local district and community, with Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall today announcing a $14,850 grant to reposition and remount the 100-year-old building.
Mr Marshall said during the drought St Mark’s church became a place of support and pastoral care for the farming families who live in the Horton Valley.
“Nestled away in the hills, Upper Horton has always been a very self-sufficient community where everyone watches out for each other,” Mr Marshall said.
“Since the drought the church and its congregation have been a stable source of comfort for locals, helping families to access social support and assistance while they continued to operate their farms.
“Now the community is giving back, with this grant instigating the first of a number of works to restore the beautiful old building.
“Skilled tradespeople will lift and repositioned the church onto new footings, assisting to divert storm water away from the foundations and causing ongoing structural damage.
“If the drought and COVID-19 pandemic have shown us anything it is the importance of looking out for your neighbours.
“I applaud the way locals have united behind the effort to restore this local gem so that care can continue.”
Mr Marshall said next the church wardens wanted the building repainted.
“This year is going to be a big one for the parishioners of Bereen church, with a number of working bees planned once the remounting is complete,” he said.
“A committee has been working to fundraise, and will put money towards painting the exterior and iron roof, installing fly screens and repairing windows and adding external cladding.
“Once the refurbishment is complete, a thanksgiving service and celebration for the whole community is planned.”