Architects have been appointed to design a multipurpose auditorium on a 1.8-Hectare site at Stanhope Gardens in Sydney’s north-west.

The site has been at the top of the priorities of the Mission Property Committee (MPC) which is charged with acquiring land in newly established or “greenfields” areas of the Sydney Diocese.

The job of fundraising for the site now falls to New Churches for New Communities (NCNC), which has been established by Archbishop Davies to help fund infrastructure on MPC sites.

Stanhope Gardens is within The Ponds greenfield land release area, where 4200 homes have been built or are nearing completion, and construction will begin on another 4500 in the next two years.

Ivan Lee, Bishop of Western Sydney, says a ministry centre in this area will be vital.

“While a church is not the building good facilities do help, which means we can then run ministries during the week,” Bishop Lee says.

A church plant involving members of the adjoining Rouse Hill parish and others, began in 2006 at the Stanhope Gardens Leisure Centre.

The church plant has steadily grown with the surrounding population to more than 100 adults and children, and outreach events have already been held in a marquee at the site.

“The interesting thing is when [Rouse Hill] was only 70 members they still took eight out and started the plant at Stanhope Gardens,” Bishop Lee says. “So our plants already have plants and that’s very exciting to see.”

Church planter Steve Reimer believes the site is strategically located. “It is fantastic, on the main road right next to the ARV and the shops,” he says.

The New Churches for New Communities’ executive director Glenn Gardner says NCNC is “delighted to be involved in what will be the first of its joint projects with the Mission Property Committee.

“The challenge the Archbishop has given us to raise funds to provide facilities for Christian ministries in the growth corridor of south-west and north-west Sydney is as strategic as it is daunting. To raise the $2.5 million needed for the Stanhope Gardens project will be a challenge but one which, with the support of our diocesan family, is achievable.”

Plans are being drawn up for a multipurpose auditorium to seat 250 people, including facilities to meet the needs of children and families in the community. A development application will be lodged with Blacktown City Council in November and it is hoped construction will start by October next year.

Photo: Steve Reimer (left) and Geoff Bates, the rector of Life Anglican Church at Quakers Hill, which oversees Stanhope Gardens.