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Wollert Church relocation and restoration

The former Wollert Church’s rebirth as a community asset of special significance was celebrated in April 2023 with an official unveiling to the public.

History

The Carpenter Gothic-style church was built in 1878 and stood for more than 140 years on the corner of Lehmanns and Epping roads in Wollert. 

Serving as a church until its decommissioning in 2006, the heritage-listed building was sold to a private owner and gradually fell into disrepair. 

Relocation and restoration

In 2018, when the Epping Road upgrade clouded the former church’s future, the City of Whittlesea and Major Road Projects Victoria worked together to preserve the piece of local history. 

Over several months in 2022, the church was painstakingly disassembled and transported by truck to its new home at Carome Homestead in Mernda. 

Once on site it was meticulously rebuilt and restored to its former glory using traditional materials and finishes, with Working Heritage Inc entrusted with managing the building. 

Lucky find

Before the building was dismantled and transported to its new home, City of Whittlesea's Heritage Coordinator Colleen Lazenby and Civic History Collection Manager Mary Ann Rosenthal did one last sweep of the church grounds.

As they turned over some dirt near the front of the church, they unearthed the original church key, which had likely been lost since the late 1800s.

The iron key, measuring 13.5cm, was professionally restored ahead of its exhibition at the church's new home.

Official opening

Member for Thomastown Bronwyn Halfpenny, Member for Yan Yean Lauren Kathage, City of Whittlesea and Major Road Projects Victoria representatives and descendants of the church’s founding members attended the official opening. 

Also in attendance was David Freeman, whose parents were local preachers. His earliest memories of the church date back to the 1930s when it was the centre of life in the tight-knit community. 

He vividly remembers as a child watching the district’s dairy farmers, having milked their cows, make their way by lantern light to the church for a service. 

“Growing up I felt comfortable in [the church] and it did my heart great sorrow to see it being vandalised,” he said. 

“When I heard it was being restored that gave me great comfort. It’s just beautifully done the way that you’ve done it here.” 

Bright future

In its new life, the former church is a place for people to gather for all manner of community meetings or private events.  

The space is suitable for group events, meetings, seminars, product launches, exhibitions and can cater for between 20 and 50 people.

Catering options are also by enquiring to Two Beans at Carome Estate cafe.

For the rest of 2023, Working Heritage will waive the hire fees for use of the hall for community-based organisations.

For more information on venue hire, email graham.oc@workingheritage.com.au.