After the destruction of St Clements Church at Camberwell in May 2008, you assured the congregation, both verbally & in writing, that their church would be re-built.

Between that time and December 2009, there have been a number of meetings between the Restoration Committee, made up of parishioners from the diocese of Singleton, and the Property Approvals Board, consisting of parishioners of Newcastle and headed by Reverend Steven Pullin.

Despite overcoming all the barriers put in their way and the loss of documents by the PAB, the Restoration Committee passed a majority vote to re-build the church to its original condition.

In Early December, it was announced by the PAB, not at a meeting, but by a letter inferring that the decision was that of the Restoration Committee, that the 150 year old church was to be demolished, and the insurance payout used for other work in Singleton.

·         WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, WANT THE DECISION TO DEMOLISH ST CLEMENTS CHURCH, CAMBERWELL REVERSED.

·         WE ALSO CALL FOR THE FULL INSURANCE AMOUNT, PLUS THE INTEREST IT HAS BEEN ACCRUING, TO BE RELEASED, SO IT CAN BE USED FOR THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH IT WAS INTENDED;

THE RE-BUILDING OF ST CLEMENTS CHURCH, CAMBERWELL.

 

39 Glenwood …
10^th January 2010

 

Dr B Farran

Bishop of Newcastle

51 Newcomen Street

Newcastle NSW   2300

 Dear Bishop Farran

 

Re:  St Clements Church Camberwell

 I refer to your letter dated the 7^th January, 2010, in which you advise that you will not be attending the public meeting in Singleton on the 16^th January 2010. 

 I note that your parish representatives will be at the meeting.  As Father Gary Harman is not attending, can you advise who your parish representative will be?   We wish this to be an informative meeting, and as such wish to give both sides the opportunity to outline the facts in this discussion, and to carry out the wishes of the community.

 Your comments regarding support offered by the community and instrumentalities offering support over the past two years are incorrect.

 During the past two years, the following works have been completed or arrangements made to have them completed, once the restoration plans had been finalised. They are:

 

1.     Restoration of silver – paid by insurance company

2.     Restoration of bibles – paid by insurance company

3.     New handmade banner – donated

4.     New lectern – donated

5.     New small table (made from damaged pews) – donated

6.     New table (made from damaged pews) – donated

7.     Wall bracket for cross – (made from damaged pews)

8.     Restoration of font – donated

9.     Restoration of Lantern c1926 – donated

10.            Restoration of Hymn board – donated

11.            Restoration of organ – donated

12.            Cupboard for linen – donated

13.            Parishioner/supporters removal of damaged floor boards – donated

14.            Restoration of Roll of Honour – donated

15.            Replacement of Stone Plaques on exterior of building – donated

16.            Replacement of stone seats – insurance

17.            Coal mine donation to help fund repairs to roof

18.             Coal mine assistance to clean up and store damaged property after fire.

19.             Coal mine donation to help fund restoration of electrical works.

 

All of this, awaiting the outcome from the Church’s required “procedures”.

 In addition, countless hours have been spent by members of the Parish, working on committees to ensure the restorations were carried out in the proper manner.  Again, my understanding is that their recommendation was for the church to be restored and community support would indicated that they also wish it to be restored.

 With regards to your perception that our actions will be detrimental to the Diocese, I would suggest that the actions of the Diocese to date, have done far more damage than a public meeting could cause.  In addition, both Colleen Harper and I attended a meeting with the Archdeacon Stephen Pullin in early December, in an effort to open up negotiations regarding the decision.  He indicated at that meeting that nothing could be done to change the decision.  The Rector of Singleton is equally unable to attend to the matter as the “decision has been made by the Diocese”.

Perhaps we should have spoken to you, and should you wish to do so, it is still possible prior to the meeting.  I will fly to Newcastle on Wednesday, and am willing to attend a meeting at a time of your choosing should you wish to do so.

 Are you able to give me clarification of “not in the best interests of the Parish and the Diocese alike for the restoration to proceed”?

 If the “interest” is from a financial view point, St Clements is the second most financial church in the Singleton Parish, behind the Warkworth Church.  It is also my understanding that St Clements has paid more than their required contributions, and outgoings to the Parish and subsequently the Diocese.

 Congregation numbers could not be the other “interest”, as if you attended any of the other small churches in the district you would see similar numbers in their congregations.  I myself attended service at St Lukes in December 2010, there were three clergy and at most  10 people in the congregation.

 In addition, if either of those agreements were part of the decision, why wasn’t any action prior to the fire? Congregation numbers and financial status have been the same for a many years.

 Regarding the insurance monies being used within the Singleton parish, it is my understanding that the parishioners have no interest in the monies being used in other building than St Clements.   Their money paid the insurance on the building and should rightfully be used on the restoration of St Clements.

 Lastly, this building is one of the oldest churches in New South Wales and as such should generate special consideration to ensure that it remains for future generations.

 I await you reply

 Janene