Synod in Past Years
>> Ordinary Session 1999

Proposal to Create the Provisional Parish of Glenmore Park

(A report from the Western Sydney Regional Council)

Initiation of Proposal

1. The ministers and churchwardens of St Stephen's Penrith and Glenmore Park Anglican Church made application on 17 March 1999 in accordance with clauses 4 and 5 of the Parishes Ordinance 1979 for the creation of the provisional parish of Glenmore Park.

Details of Meeting

2. On 20 May 1999 the Western Sydney Regional Council considered the application as required by clause 5 of the Ordinance.

History of the Church

3. In a cooperative venture, Vision for Growth and the parish of Penrith together in 1986 purchased five acres of land with a home in Glenmore Park. Staff members of St Stephen's Penrith lived in that house and began a ministry.

4. In 1993 a few parishioners from St Stephen's under the leadership of the Rev Peter Hayward, a curate under the Rev Don Wilson (rector of the Parish) developed the work further with the help of a ministry grant from Vision 2001.

5. The church first met for some months in the Caroline Chisholm Girls' School adjoining the property. Then in early 1994, the fledging congregation moved into the triple garage attached to the newly opened minister's residence.

Estimated Population

6. Glenmore Park is comprised mainly of middle class families purchasing their own homes.

7. It is expected to grow to 25,000 people. New homes are continuing to mushroom with about 12,000 people living there in February 1999. These homes now adjoin the M4 Motorway on the south.

8. A large percentage of the population is children and youth, evidenced by the rapid growth in the number of Schools provided for Glenmore Park, including 2 State Primary Schools and a High School, a Catholic Primary and High School as well as Penrith Anglican College.

Attendances

9. By 1996, the Congregation was outgrowing the garage and with the generous help of Vision 2001, a church complex was opened in May 1997, with an average of 81 adults and 50 children attending the Sunday Services.

10. By the end of 1998, after eighteen months in the new Church building, the congregation had grown to an average of 128 adults, and 115 children and youth. An evening service had been commenced in 1998.

11. In 1998, there were 10 Bible Studies and 2 other groups operating as part of GPAC with an average weekly attendance at Bible Studies of 110, 55 in youth groups and 60 at Sunday School.

Particulars of Church Trust Property

12. There are 2 new houses on the 2 acre block for staff housing.

13. The new multi-purpose church centre will be adequate for the time being.

14. The property is well landscaped with an ample bitumen car park.

15. There is another cottage and relocatable building plus the original triple garage to accommodate the Sunday School.

16. Eventually a hall will be needed.

17. Estimated valuations are -

Finances

18. A summary of the financial position over the past 4 years follows -

19. Offertories for 1999 will be more than $60,000.

20. The Resident Minister is paid in accordance with the Diocesan recommendations. Much of this is from local revenues. WSRC contributed $25,000 in 1998.

Debts

21. A loan of $150,000 from the Finance and Loans Board (including $40,000 in relation to land purchased by the New Sites Advisory Committee of the Property Trust) is being serviced.

Boundaries

22. The boundaries of the new provisional parish are described in the document lodged with the Diocesan Registrar and have the written agreement of adjoining parishes.

Recommendation

23. Synod assent to the creation of the provisional parish of Glenmore Park from 1 January 2000.

For and on behalf of the Western Sydney Regional Council

ALAN DONOHOO
Archdeacon
16 June 1999