WILSTON’S Catholic parish priest is making many friend requests this week but not to bulk up his social media accounts.
Fr Michael Grace is calling on members of the community to be friends with St Columba’s church, which at 100 years old is in dire need of repairs.
“I would say there are a number of issues that if left unaddressed would start deteriorating,” Fr Grace said.
“The roof needs sorting out, and there is rising damp in the wall that needs to be sorted, plus rusting around the stained glass windows.
“It’s up to the whole community to take this on board.”
But rather than just “hope for the best”, Fr Grace is calling on the community to bring life back to the church that last year turned 100, in small or big donations.
Next week, he and the Catholic community will launch, Friends of St Columba’s, a fundraising campaign to ensure the “landmark” church in Wilston won’t fall to ruins.
“If someone donates $30 or more they become a friend for the year, but donating $1000 or more would make you a friend for life,” Fr Grace said.
‘Friends’ will also receive a quarterly newsletter with updates on the church and fundraising campaign.
Fr Grace said preserving the church would pay homage to the “generosity of the earlier generations” that built the church in the early 1900s.
“It’s a beautiful church, quite the local landmark really,” he said.
St Columba’s church is part of the Kedron Brook Catholic Community and is now home to the St Gregory’s Latin Mass Community.
The campaign officially launches on August 30 at 3.30pm at St Columba’s Church, Wilston with afternoon tea provided.
