Repaired and ready to reopen

Holy Cross Catholic Church, in Kippa-Ring, will open its doors again on Sunday morning for the first time in 20 months.

The Nottingham St church has been closed since February last year when a storm damaged its roof and made the building unsafe.

Weekend services were switched to the Southern Cross College hall and midweek services to Mary Queen of Peace at Woody Point.

More than $200,000 repair work followed the storm, but the Holy Cross church will reopen with a welcoming ceremony and mass at 8.15am for 8.30am start.

“We are excited about it,” Father Bob Harwood said. “The church looks so good … beautiful. It smells new!

Restoration work - click through

“We usually have four masses at the weekend, but this time it will be one to bring everyone together and have morning tea afterwards.

“One of the special things throughout this process, has been the way people have come forward to help. Week after week.”

Parish Pastoral Council Chair Sean Gordon paid tribute to the “community spirt” that helped manage operational and liturgical challenges.

In a letter the parish he wrote: “While many churches around the world are closing, we have been blessed by generous donations of our parishioners and the wider community.

“We share our sincere thank to every person for whatever support you have been able to offer, be that prayer, donations, time, talent or in some other way.”

Ready to reopen - click through

It is the end of a long journey. After the storm it took months to complete assessments, get permissions and then line-up builders for the restorations.

Work started in March and included replacing carpets after mould developed as well as installing LED lighting.

Ultimately around $230,000 was raised to cover the insurance shortfall.

“This collective effort has demonstrated the heart and soul of what this parish is,” Mr Gordon said.