The council has officially decided against the heritage listing after reviewing the feedback we provided together. This clarity allows us to move forward with our plans for the parish without the weight of unnecessary bureaucracy. I appreciate the time each of you took to confirm that our community should remain …
July 23, 2023
Final supporters
Dear Parishioners and friends of St George Church,
Woollahra Council is seeking to heritage list our Church building. As part of this process, the Council is undertaking community engagement seeking feedback on the proposed heritage listing. We oppose this.
Our Parish Priest Father Gerasimos and the Parish Board feel that we, the Parish-Community and its people, are the custodians of a two thousand year old heritage... as opposed to a local government which is looking at listing a relatively modern building, built in 1962. Many of the original features are gone, with improvements having being made over the years... new steps, new doors, new floors, new windows, new lighting, entirely modified community hall and more.
A heritage listing would be an impediment to future improvements, as we would be required to consult the bureaucracy even for the colour of the paint. We would also need to pay heritage consultants to tell us what they believe is acceptable or not. We consider this an impediment that restricts our freedom to improve our church further.
Our priority is growth, this means tending to and investing in our people. Bricks and mortar are a means to serving that end, not the end in and of itself. We want to be able to move adaptively into the future without hindrance.
We are on a growth trajectory and have a vision of developing our church's property to facilitate that growth. An existing D.A., approved in 2011, which will be for our community's benefit, precludes the imposition of a heritage listing upon the church building. Some adaptation of the church building may be required to harmonise with the adjoining facilities.
You can assist us by signing the online petition against heritage listing, which will then be delivered to the Local Government. Please take just two minutes of your time to help.
We appreciate your support in this campaign. Please forward this link to all members of your family. You can also watch and enjoy this video...https://www.youtube.com/live/J3XgVkQqfTI?feature=share
Respectfully,
Father Gerasimos and the St George Parish Board
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
June 23, 2023
Reached 100 supporters
June 9, 2023
June 7, 2023
Reaching one hundred signatures will provide a clear indication that our community prefers autonomy over bureaucratic oversight. Please take a moment to forward this link to another member of the parish so we can demonstrate our collective resolve to the council.
240 Comments
Community based church for at least 60 years. Have maintained and improved the church during this time. No one will provide better care and advice for this church than the community and parishioners that have been going here for the list 60 years.
The word church comes from the Greek - Ecclesia - which means assembly of PEOPLE. It does not mean a pile of bricks and mortar. I suggest the council concern themselves with people not inanimate objects that people use.
A heritage affectation would detrimentally impact (1) the mission of our church particularly with heritage compliance costs and (2) the amenity of our facilities if the parish was not free to adapt to its future needs at its discretion (subject to the then current planning laws).
I love my parish church. My family has had a long history with it - starting from the days of fundraising for it, then continuing in the administration of it to this current day - but heritage listing is inappropriate and unjustified for a structure built just over 60 years ago.
Heritage listing of the building in the circumstances is not appropriate; however Woollahra Council could busy itself in Heritage listing some of its existing structures. It is a nice enough building but it is not the Parthenon.
This church is one of the most beautiful buildings in Rose Bay and definitely needs preservation. It also belongs to a dedicated Greek community and the people have been going there for many years!
Opposing the heritage listing for our church. Disgusting behavior from Woollahra Council, not having the common curtesy to step foot inside our church to see for themselves or even consult with the parish priest. The council should act on behalf in the best interest of the community, not what they desire.
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The council has officially decided against the heritage listing after reviewing the feedback we provided together. This clarity allows us to move forward with our plans for the parish without the weight of unnecessary bureaucracy. I appreciate the time each of you took to confirm that our community should remain …
July 23, 2023
Final supporters
Dear Parishioners and friends of St George Church,
Woollahra Council is seeking to heritage list our Church building. As part of this process, the Council is undertaking community engagement seeking feedback on the proposed heritage listing. We oppose this.
Our Parish Priest Father Gerasimos and the Parish Board feel that we, the Parish-Community and its people, are the custodians of a two thousand year old heritage... as opposed to a local government which is looking at listing a relatively modern building, built in 1962. Many of the original features are gone, with improvements having being made over the years... new steps, new doors, new floors, new windows, new lighting, entirely modified community hall and more.
A heritage listing would be an impediment to future improvements, as we would be required to consult the bureaucracy even for the colour of the paint. We would also need to pay heritage consultants to tell us what they believe is acceptable or not. We consider this an impediment that restricts our freedom to improve our church further.
Our priority is growth, this means tending to and investing in our people. Bricks and mortar are a means to serving that end, not the end in and of itself. We want to be able to move adaptively into the future without hindrance.
We are on a growth trajectory and have a vision of developing our church's property to facilitate that growth. An existing D.A., approved in 2011, which will be for our community's benefit, precludes the imposition of a heritage listing upon the church building. Some adaptation of the church building may be required to harmonise with the adjoining facilities.
You can assist us by signing the online petition against heritage listing, which will then be delivered to the Local Government. Please take just two minutes of your time to help.
We appreciate your support in this campaign. Please forward this link to all members of your family. You can also watch and enjoy this video...https://www.youtube.com/live/J3XgVkQqfTI?feature=share
Respectfully,
Father Gerasimos and the St George Parish Board
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
June 23, 2023
Reached 100 supporters
June 9, 2023
June 7, 2023
Reaching one hundred signatures will provide a clear indication that our community prefers autonomy over bureaucratic oversight. Please take a moment to forward this link to another member of the parish so we can demonstrate our collective resolve to the council.
240 Comments
Heritage listing impedes the intended work of this church, to spread the word of God and serve the community. Additional processes required by heritage listing the property will add financial and emotional costs to the church.
Community based church for at least 60 years. Have maintained and improved the church during this time. No one will provide better care and advice for this church than the community and parishioners that have been going here for the list 60 years.
The word church comes from the Greek - Ecclesia - which means assembly of PEOPLE. It does not mean a pile of bricks and mortar. I suggest the council concern themselves with people not inanimate objects that people use.
A heritage affectation would detrimentally impact (1) the mission of our church particularly with heritage compliance costs and (2) the amenity of our facilities if the parish was not free to adapt to its future needs at its discretion (subject to the then current planning laws).
I love my parish church. My family has had a long history with it - starting from the days of fundraising for it, then continuing in the administration of it to this current day - but heritage listing is inappropriate and unjustified for a structure built just over 60 years ago.
Heritage listing of the building in the circumstances is not appropriate; however Woollahra Council could busy itself in Heritage listing some of its existing structures. It is a nice enough building but it is not the Parthenon.
This church is one of the most beautiful buildings in Rose Bay and definitely needs preservation. It also belongs to a dedicated Greek community and the people have been going there for many years!
Opposing the heritage listing for our church. Disgusting behavior from Woollahra Council, not having the common curtesy to step foot inside our church to see for themselves or even consult with the parish priest. The council should act on behalf in the best interest of the community, not what they desire.
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Heritage listing impedes the intended work of this church, to spread the word of God and serve the community. Additional processes required by heritage listing the property will add financial and emotional costs to the church.