After years of planning and preparation, Sydney's newest church building has been opened in the new housing area of Oran Park, southwest of Sydney.

It was in 1989 that Oran Park was first identified by Archbishop Donald Robinson as an area requiring a church in the future.

The new building sits on Marcus Loane Way, a street named for his predecessor.

The suburb has been a test case for the diocesan response in so-called 'greenfields' areas, with planning underway since 2002 and land purchased in 2009.

Oran Park Anglican School and Chesalon Living, ANGLICARE's new seniors living complex, were constructed first, as the housing development was taking shape.

After years of meeting at homes and then at a school, the brand new church building, designed to house 220 children and adults, was opened by Archbishop Glenn Davies on Saturday, 2nd May.

Council approval has been already been granted for the seating to be doubled in stage 2 of the building.

"The clever architecture of the building, with the ability to expand gracefully, helps us make full use of a marvellous site." the Archbishop said. "The good will of so many people, the Perich family who sold us the land, the Regional Council, the Mission Property committee and of course, Schools Corporation and Anglicare in that triangle of Christian witness in Oran Park was a wonderful experience. God's rich hand of blessing is clearly upon it and we can only trust God will continue to bless and expand 'new life' in Oran Park, through this church."Dr Davies said.

"We are the beneficiaries of much grace and we are truly grateful for the vision, planning, and finances of the network of Anglican Churches that is the Sydney Diocese." said the rector, the Reverend Stuart Starr. "I'm thankful too for Matthew Payne, my associate, and our wives - we've come a long way since we were four adults and four kids in a living room in Oran Park." 

Oran Park is officially Sydney’s fastest growing town, with an expected population increase of 2,500 people every year for next 7 years .

Feature photo: The completed building and tower is covered by a rainbow on the day of the opening (Stuart Starr)