Church opening well attended

More than 700 people attended the official opening of the new St John the Baptist church in Woy Woy on Sunday, November 18.

Woy Woy Parish Priest Father John Hill said the new church was significant to the whole community, not just to the Woy Woy Catholic community.

"I think the new church makes a positive contribution to the streetscape in Woy Woy," Fr Hill said.

"There is no other building like it in the area."

A special two-and-a-half hour ceremony was organised for the official opening of the new church, which according to Fr Hill is essential to Catholic practice and faith.

"I have received a lot of positive feedback about the new church," Fr Hill said.

"The community is very happy with it and all the comments have been positive and favourable."

The new church located on the corner of Blackwall Rd and Victoria Rd, Woy Woy, took more than nine months to complete.

Fr Hill said the statues, tabernacle and crucifix from the old church on the corner of Morris St and West St, Umina, were able to be used in the new church.

"There are still a few more things that need to be carried out before it is completely finished," Fr Hill said.

"It is holding us back in terms of when the church is open to the public.

"At this stage, we are only open during service hours.

"But as soon as this is sorted we can go about business as usual."

Clare Graham, 7 Dec 2007