St John’s early present

ST JOHN’s will have more than one reason to celebrate this Christmas.
The Cranbourne Anglican parish’s $2 million new building and renovations, which began in February, will be completed just in time for the festive season.
The church will hold its first services in the new church on Sunday 23 December at 9am, 10.30am and 7pm.
The new church seats almost 300 people, up from the original 100.
The historic 1864 brick church has been preserved with its original features within the new structure as a flexible meeting space.
The new church nests behind it, and is visible from both Childers and Russell streets.
There are now also two new modern meeting rooms, a large kitchen, toilet facilities, a large foyer, and reception and office spaces.
Vicar David Powys said they had good reason to expand with so many Anglicans in the area.
“But the new facilities are not just for Anglicans,” he said.
“St John’s has not built this so much for their own comfort or convenience, but rather to create a place for the whole community, and for their encouragement and spiritual refreshment.
“The design allows as many as four groups to use the various meeting spaces at once.
“St John’s is keen to hear from groups that would like to use the facilities, especially ones with an educational focus.”
Mr Powys said the 1913 timber hall still remained on-site, in its sad unrestored condition – something they were hoping to renovate as well.
“St John’s could not itself raise sufficient funds to finance this restoration, though the restoration does have planning approval,” he said.
“The City of Casey has voted $100,000 for the hall in its capital budget, as it will be available for general community use.
“This is still about $150,000 short of what is required.
“A community appeal directed particularly to those who have benefited through Cranbourne’s expansion has not yet brought much response, but the appeal remains open.”
All are welcome to the first services on Sunday 23 December.
The church will also have an ‘open house’ on the Thursdays in January from 10am to 12noon for all who would like see the new buildings.
For more information call 5996 8461.