Heritage burden tackled head on

Webmaster | 1 August 2006

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Newtown parish faces massive heritage issues but is seizing the opportunities for ministry, writes NATASHA PERCY.

A NSW government heritage grant awarded last month to St Stephen’s, Newtown is minor considering the overall needs of the property, says churchwarden Gary Leitch.

However, Gary and his wife Deborah insist the grant will be valuable in taking care of the property’s most immediate need: security. The newly repaired gates will prevent vandalism to the stained-glass windows and the gravestones of the cemetery on the church grounds.

The Newtown grants come after a fortnight of late nights, with Deborah working to produce a professional and clear application that was in line with grant requirements. Deborah and Gary also attribute a large part of the success to their backgrounds in marketing and interior design, and contacts such as heritage architect Hector Abrahams, Cemetery Advisor to the National Trust, George Gibbons and specialists in stonework and stained glass.

“Some people would see a heritage building as a millstone. Our attitude is that we’re blessed with a fabulous building that gives us opportunities as well as constraints,” Gary said.

They say that the history and interest of heritage properties can be a great way to involve the community in church life. “We’re enthusiastic about marrying our building heritage with our contemporary congregation,” said Deborah. “It’s a great way of showing the community that we’re doing our best for God.”

Last month the Diocese received NSW Government approval for a series of landmark grants for Anglican churches listed on the NSW State Heritage Register. Of the $418,000 approved for 12 church projects in NSW, the Diocese received approval for four projects totalling $113,000: two for St Stephen’s, Newtown and one each for St Paul’s, Burwood and Holy Trinity, Millers Point.

Carmel Tebbutt, state MP for Marrickville, visited St Stephen’s to see where the $45,000 of grant funding will be allocated in the parish grounds.

The management and maintenance of heritage property in the Diocese is a significant issue, says Client Manager of the Anglican Church Property Trust, Evelyn Beaver, particularly for the approximately 20 parishes on the State Heritage Register. Many other parishes need to deal with heritage issues at a local government level. While the Property Trust has legal responsibility for much parish property, wardens are responsible for maintaining heritage works in their parish, but Evelyn adds she is here to help.

“Grants, donations and fundraising are the main avenues open to parishes for financial help in maintaining heritage properties, and competition for government grants is high,” she said.

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