Whole-hearted effort to save sacred church

WHEN termites were discovered in the foundations of Inverleigh’s Sacred Heart Church last September the parishioners had to act fast.

“The termite inspectors told us that if we hadn’t got onto it, it would be demolished within a year,” parishioner Rachel Anderson said.

Restoration work on the church had already started when the termites were discovered.

Not only did locals rally to save the historic little church from being devoured by the insects, over the past six months or so they have gone all out to restore it to its former glory, ably assisted by Geelong’s Spina family of painters and restorers.

Longtime members of the Catholic church community, the Spina family stepped in to help, also keen to support parish priest Father Joseph Panackle.

While they donated their time and professional expertise to provide the interior and exterior painting, and fencing, many other locals have also helped out including Anderson’s husband Nick, a builder who replaced the bearers that had been damaged by the termites, and weatherboards.

Works have also included repairing the degraded ceiling inside and adding new carpet, a new toilet and plumbing with many parishioners and supporters also donating time, expertise, and materials in some cases.

“Some of the ceiling was falling down,” said Rob Spina who describes the project as a prime example of an entire community coming to together to achieve a positive result.

It’s a result that has been getting noticed.

“I now have two bookings for weddings in the church. Good things are happening. People wanting to come back to church and come back to their spiritual journey,” Father Panackle said.

“We have taken up that restoration because Inverleigh is a growing town and also we have quite a few young families coming to the church.”

The little white church has come up a treat and the parishioners and supporters have now launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise $3000 to finish off the project with landscaping works including gravel paths and plantings to feature six white crepe myrtles, rosemary and roses.

Father Panackle said the town of Inverleigh is growing and the church is keen to attract more families back to its pews for regular services that happen every third Sunday at 4pm.

“It’s personally rewarding for us to be involved in the restoration,” said Pia Spina who brought her artistic talents to bear on restoring the interior, including painting faded statues.

Anderson said it was important to save “a piece of our heritage”.

Visit tinyurl.com/sacredheartrestoration to find out more.