By KATH GANNAWAY
THE historic Powelltown church is the ultimate work in progress.
As the church prepares to celebrate its 87th birthday, interest has been resurrected in ensuring the timber building continues to serve the Powelltown community as a well-loved non-denominational place of worship and celebration.
Dawn Adams is part of the new committee that has taken over the reins from long-time devotee and custodian of the church Dorothy Cooper who has given her blessing to the next generation of custodians.
“The inside was never finished, it was built by the community and when they ran out of money in the early days, worked stopped,” said Mrs Adams who, along with husband Michael and Mrs Cooper’s son Peter and his wife Jan, have formed a friends group.
The group received an $11,000 grant from the Warburton/Yarra Junction Community Bank to paint the church and the Powelltown Mill has donated timber for the first phase of the restoration.
As funds become available, the group aim to replace the roof and then turn its attention to finishing the interior.
Two activities in April will kick off a series of fund-raising events.
Friends of Union Church will be serving tea and cakes at the Crank-up at Yarra Junction Museum this weekend and hosting a birthday party at the church on Sunday 13 April.
People can take along a picnic or there will be a sausage sizzle on the go.
As always, all demoninations are invited to the party which starts at noon.
A country rock concert will be held at the adjacent Powelltown Hall on Saturday 31 May and the annual Christmas carols will be held at the church on Friday 19 December.
Anyone who would like to help with the restoration or fund-raising can contact Mrs Adams on 5957 3700.
