Kangaroo Flat church back and better than ever

KANGAROO Flat Uniting Church is set to reopen for regular services after the completion of extensive repairs.

The building, originally the site of the Wesleyan Methodist Church and built more than 140 years ago, was devastated by a fire in July 2022.

After the event, the congregation moved to join with worshippers at Chum Street Uniting Church.

Chair of the congregation at Kangaroo Flat Uniting, Colin Foster, said he was thankful the church could resume its activities after a long battle with insurers.

“There were quite a few people out in Kangaroo Flat who couldn’t get out to Chum Street, and also Chum Street was 11 o’clock and we were 9.30am and that didn’t suit a lot of people,” he said.

Mr Foster said the change particularly affected some older people. However, efforts were made to keep them in the loop with goings-on.

“Most of them have kept pretty close,” he said. “Those that had emails, they were emailed what was going on every week, so people were still in contact with what was happening in the church.

“About 95 per cent of people from before the fire are coming back.

Regular services will be restarting at the Kangaroo Flat church on Sunday 10 March at 9.30am, and there will be a special event on Sunday 3 March celebrating its reopening at 2pm followed by afternoon tea.

“A good side of the thing is that the church is now upgraded, as far as painting goes and floor coverings and seating, that’ll be all new now,” said Mr Foster.