Millicent Spencer
Melbourne’s oldest standing Anglican Church, St Paul’s Parish in Westmeadows, has welcomed a new priest in charge.
Founded in 1850, the church has been operating for 173 years but for the last year has had no parish priest.
New priest, Reverend Stuart Gardiner said he has come out of retirement to take on the position.
“I have been an Anglican Priest since 1985 and have been retired for the last five years,” he said.
“The Bishop Kate Prowd asked me to come back to work and I said I would… it seemed like a good fit for me.”
Mr Gardiner said he is no stranger to the area having been the parish priest in Glenroy many years ago. While Mr Gardiner is living in Bundoora at present, he said he is looking forward to moving back into the area.
“We will be moving into the vicarage next door to the church in April,” he said.
“In the meantime I am commuting from Bundoora to give services.”
After being commissioned last Wednesday Mr Gardiner gave his first service on Sunday.
“They [the community] seem like a very kind group… they were very welcoming,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to settling in and getting to know the local community.
“I want to make sure we offer a place people can come to pray, be quiet or get help.”
Councillor Naim Kurt welcomed the appointment of Mr Gardiner.
“Westmeadows is Melbourne’s oldest Anglican Church to still be operating from its original site and highlights the incredible heritage [and] diversity of our community,” he said.
“[It’s] very special to have this building still standing in our community today.”
