Robertson’s new building has been 20 years in the making, but it’s already making up for lost time by bringing newcomers to church.
Robertson's new multipurpose Christian centre was officially opened on August 4 by the former and current bishops of Wollongong, the Right Rev Reg Piper and the Right Rev Al Stewart.
However newcomers didn’t wait for the ribbon to be cut with a small number of people joining the 60 member parish since the centre's unofficial opening at the beginning of June.
Rector, the Rev Barry Lee indicates that size might be the reason.
The new centre accommodates 200 people compared to the 80 that the previous sandstone building could squeeze in.
"I think we actually lost potential because they (newcomers) have looked in at the church building and decided there was not room for them," says Mr Lee.
The limited space was also taking its toll on the congregations, he continues.
"We had situations where, if there was a baptism, half the congregation stayed home to allow for guests to come."
With Robertson's frosty temperatures, the old sandstone building was also uncomfortable during the winter.
“Parents would not come to church because they were not prepared to have children sitting in a cold church,” he says.
"Being a rural church, at funerals for example, most of the village turns up so we normally have more people standing outside than we have inside.”.
The positive effects of a bigger and more comfortable space are already being felt, he continues.
"Regulars stay around and talk for longer after church than they used to," he says.
"In the past, after the service finished, people were gone by quarter to eleven " now people are around til 1pm."
This time 20 years ago"
Plans for a new building were officially drawn up over 20 years ago, and in that time, the parish worked to finance the building, especially through land sales.
"People are quite excited about having the building at last," says Mr Lee.
The new building also includes a crying room, baby change room, a new kitchen and a parish office.
Before the opening celebration, a thanksgiving service was held in the old building, which will continue to be used for 8am Sunday services, weddings and funerals, and Sunday School.
