ELIZABETH Clark sometimes feels like she has the weight of a church on her shoulders – and if she could physically prop up the Holy Trinity Church at Cressy she would.
As Church Warden she is leading what will be a mammoth fundraising effort to save the beautiful stained glass windows in the church. They have shifted and slipped and are barely hanging on despite underpinning of the foundations about 30 years ago to stop any further movement.
A quote for repairs has come in at $17,000, but there is no money in the bank to cover the cost. “All of our investments were sold and given back to the Anglican Diocese as part of redress – it was either that or we would have been forced to sell the church itself,” Elizabeth said.
Nine windows are affected in total, and the church committee is in the process of applying for grants in the hope of securingsome money.
Since the pandemic began the annual fair, its major fundraiser, has not been held, but a pared back version, a mini market fair, will take place on Saturday, March 3.
With fresh produce, bric-a-brac and plenty of food it will be a great excuse to bring the community together and go bargain hunting while supporting the church and its assets.
“We are hanging on to our church, it’s the only one here in Cressy, built in 1875, and we want people to know that we will do whatever we can to raise the funds we require,” Elizabeth said.
About 17 parishioners attend church services and most are on the church committee. New members are always welcome and can contact Elizabeth on 6397 6332.