Long wait finally over for Kellyville’s new St Mary and Sts Cosman and Demian Coptic Church
IT has been a long journey for Kellyville’s first Coptic Orthodox Church but the end result is a work for art for parishioners.
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IT has been a long journey for Kellyville’s first Coptic Orthodox Church.
The St Mary and Sts Cosman and Demian church was in the pipeline for eight years after its Dural and Blacktown parishes were overflowing with people.
Inaugural parish priest Father Joshua Tadros said the Arnold Ave church would provide a permanent home of worship after years of relocating.
The congregation first met in Harris Park before they were moved to a hall in West Pennant Hills and a warehouse in Castle Hill.
“St Mary and Sts Cosman and Demian first started eight years ago, with a congregation of 10 families,” Fr Tadros said.
“Nowadays, we have over 100 families attending so it is with great joy that we open this new church for them and the wider community; continuing to connect people with God.”
Each piece inside the Kellyville church has special significance to the members of the Coptic faith. Adorning the altar are wooden Coptic crosses hand carved by monks in St Anthony Coptic Orthodox Monastery in Egypt.
The red veil and candles were crafted by nuns and monks from monasteries in Egypt.
But it was the work of Iraqi refugee and Liverpool man Bassam, who painted Jesus on the wall of the church that is a favourite of Fr Tadros.
“Every story he told me made me cry,” he said.
“I took a photo of the icon from the original (in St. Anthony Coptic Orthodox Monastery) and I think it is better than the original.”
The new church features a community hall, with a kitchen for social events and games room with enough space to play table tennis and billiards.
“We have developed this new church to reflect and support the evolving needs of the whole community,” Fr Tadros said.
The church hopes to add a library with a cafe, another building for classes and seminars as well as a sports field to keep the younger parishioners happy in three to five years.
CHURCH TIMES
● The church meets for Sunday mass at 8am at 118-120 Arnold Ave, Kellyville.
● Bible study sessions are held Wed nights and youth meetings on Friday night from 8pm
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