Proposal to change the status of the provisional parish of Hoxton Park to a parish
(A report from the Georges River Regional Council)
Initiation of Proposal
1. A proposal was made to the Archbishop by the minister and churchwardens of the provisional parish of Hoxton Park under clause 4(1)(b) of the Parishes Ordinance 1979.
Details of Meeting
2. A meeting of the Parish Arrangements Committee on 29 August 2005 certified that all requirements under clauses 4 and 6 have been complied with.
3. A meeting of the Georges River Regional Council held on 30 August 2005 considered the proposal under clause 5 of the Ordinance.
4. Although the provisional parish does not have "a church" as such, the advice of the Diocesan Legal Officer, is that Clause 6(3)(f) does not require the Property Trust to have ownership of a building in which a congregation meets. The terms freehold and leasehold apply to land and not to buildings. The freehold or leasehold of the land on which the building is situated does need to be held in trust for the parish. This is the case here at Hoxton Park and architectural plans are now before Liverpool City Council for Development Approval to build a permanent church building on the site. The fact that there are other congregations of the provisional parish meeting in buildings on land not held on trust for the parish does not prevent reclassification to parish status. It is enough that "aÓ building is on land held on trust for the parish, and this is the case here.
Proposal
5. The proposal is to change the Provisional Parish of Hoxton Park to the Parish of Hoxton Park.
6. The provisional parish has applied for a change in classification following its steady growth in membership and ministry in recent years.
Parish Information
7. The provisional parish began as a branch church, St Clement's Busby as part of St Mark's Sadleir. The Rev John Reid was the first Assistant Minister at Busy in 1987. He was followed by the Rev Bruce Dingwall in 1989 when there were 8 people attending. In 1993, Vision for Growth bought land in Bonnyrigg Heights, built a rectory and obtained a portable building for a temporary church. This became the provisional parish of Hoxton Park in 1994. By this time, some 40 people were attending. Plans were then changed from building two churches, one of which was to be on North Liverpool Road, to building one large church for the rapidly expanding suburbs around the Cowpasture Road area of Liverpool City Council, LGA. A visible site of 3.3 acres was purchased on Cowpasture Road itself in 1997 and work is progressing, gaining approvals for the construction of a church complex.
8. The 2001 ABS Census gave a total population of 39,315 of whom 7.8% claim Anglican affiliation. The population is considerable more in 2005 estimated between 60-70,000, and continues to expand with new developments.
9. The parish staff consists of two full-time ministers, two student ministers, an MTS worker and a part-time secretary. Parish offertories support total costs of one minister, two thirds of the second, one student minister and the secretary.
10. Sunday attendance is 155 adults and 40 children as follows -
9.30am William Carey Christian School 75
5pm Thomas Hassall Anglican College 20
7pm Thomas Hassall Anglican College 60
Weekly Nursing Home Service 30
11. Other parish activities include 12 Home Groups, 2 youth groups, one young adults group, 9 teachers in 5 primary schools teaching 500 students, one high school lunch time ministry and a Youth Outreach Camp each January. The provisional parish sent a BCA Mission team to Hillston this year.
Future Plans
12. The lack of church building has caused a plateauing in growth. The new building is due next year. Changes in leadership strategy will mean that mentoring for leaders who can train other leaders and a growing emphasis on young marrieds ministry and youth work are now the priority.
Particulars of Church Trust Property
13. Details of property held by the Property Trust upon trust for the provisional parish are as follows -
| Insured Value | |
|
Site of Anglican Church, Latrobe Road and Cowpasture Road (House) |
$551,000 |
|
Carmichael Drive West Hoxton (Assistant MinisterÕs residence) |
$263,000 |
|
North Liverpool Road, Bonnyrigg (Rectory) |
$195,000 |
Summary of consolidated receipts and payments.
14. A summary of the financial position over the last three years and the budget for 2005 is set out below -
|
Receipts |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
|
Offertories |
113,909 |
111,185 |
123,777 |
145,000 |
|
Missions |
3,662 |
2,204 |
3,365 |
-- |
|
Rent/Interest |
3,498 |
3,560 |
1,764 |
1,600 |
|
Donations |
590 |
21,928 |
22,230 |
7,000 |
|
Investments |
- |
- |
3,767 |
1,200 |
|
Grants |
26,000 |
31,000 |
25,000 |
31,000 |
|
GST Refunds |
8,040 |
770 |
-- |
-- |
|
Other Receipts |
9,945 |
8,593 |
18,201 |
2,500 |
|
TOTAL |
142,244 |
179,240 |
198,104 |
188,300 |
|
Payments |
||||
|
Stipends/salaries |
128,509 |
118,597 |
125,684 |
130,249 |
|
Cost Recovery |
12,720 |
22,683 |
24,913 |
25,665 |
|
Printing & Stationery |
950 |
8,633 |
7,708 |
8,764 |
|
Repairs & Maintenance |
12,090 |
19,301 |
1,661 |
3,000 |
|
Insurance |
-- |
-- |
460 |
500 |
|
Electricity etc |
2,210 |
2,859 |
2,253 |
3,200 |
|
Missions |
3,862 |
4,247 |
45 |
-- |
|
Other |
11,143 |
8,638 |
18,597 |
22,022 |
|
TOTAL |
171,484 |
184,958 |
181,321 |
193,400 |
15. The parish has loans only on one minister's car.
16. Archdeacon Geoff Huard supports the application.
Recommendation
17. The Georges River Regional Council recommends that the provisional parish of Hoxton Park becomes a parish from 1 January 2006.
For and behalf of the Georges River Regional Council.
GEOFF HUARD
Archdeacon of Liverpool / Georges River Regional Council
31 August 2005