New chapter for a St Leonards church after fire bombing

A Bellarine congregation has found a new home after their church was firebombed last year, and its members have a surprising message for the alleged offenders.

An Anglican congregation has risen from the ashes just in time for Easter after teen arsonists burnt its 110-year-old St Leonards church to the ground in November.

Reverend David Willsher says the St Pauls congregation is back and better than ever in its temporary home at a shopfront around the corner.

Reverend Willsher said the generosity and support of the neighbouring catholic church lead by Father Raymond Bugeja was instrumental in helping the congregation recover, with the parish lending their church to the St Pauls community

“That generosity continued for over many months as we waited to secure our new temporary home,” he said.

“The church in a shopfront is very different to what the congregation had in the past, but it is an exciting new way of gathering as a faith community,” he added.

Reverend David thanked the catholic church for supporting the congregation during its hour of need. Picture: Mark Wilson

The alleged arsonists - aged 14, 15, 15, and 16, were charged for the blaze after two of the youths handed themselves in to police last year.

Reverend Willsher said his congregation “recognised that the incident was an opportunity to show God’s love and grace to those allegedly responsible for the blaze”.

St Pauls Anglican Church in St Leonards was demolished after the alleged arson attack. Picture: Supplied.

“These young people must have troubles in their own lives and through a relationship with the living God the church can offer hope and the solutions to the problems they might be

facing,” he said.

Despite destroying the church completely, a number of sacred items were recovered from the blaze, including the communion table. Picture: Mark Wilson

The congregation held its first Easter service at its new location at 2 Bluff Road on Friday, with the service making use of the fire damaged communion table recovered from the blaze as a symbol of the community’s perseverance and strength.

Originally published as New chapter for a St Leonards church after fire bombing