$1.5m upgrade for coast church

Alex de Vos
After nearly 50 years of services, Torquay’s St Therese Church is set for a $1.5 million facelift.
Parish priest Father Greg Trythall said the church hosted its final mass on Wednesday morning before closing in preparation for the upgrade.
Father Trythall said the transformation would include an extension, a new facade and construction of a multi-purpose hall.
“It’s going to look really modern,” Father Trythall said.
“It’s something I’m looking forward to as well as most of the parishioners. It will be incredible – we’ll be able to host a proper morning tea after church.”
Father Trythall said the upgraded facility would help accommodate extra parishioners during the holiday periods.
“We really need an extension – during Christmas and Easter we can’t get the people into the church.
“After the refurbishment we’ll be able to hold a substantial number of people in the new areas.”
Father Trythall said the renovated church would re-open in six months to coincide with its 50th anniversary.
“It has really stood the test of time but it’s time for an upgrade,” he said.
The Torquay congregation will have mass at St Therese Catholic School until the re-opening.