Less than two years ago, the Church of the Way in Coodanup was struck by tragedy.
An act of arson sent the old rectory up in flames, destroying its function as an op shop and community service centre.
Now, the Church of the Way is set to reopen its op-shop, though there is still a long way to go before the damage is fully recovered.
Reveredend Linley Matthews-Want remembers being called in early in the evening to see the firemen put out the blaze, which would have lasting repercussions on the church and the community it serves.
“We had the wreck of the building there for quite some time, because we had to have forensics in, and sort out insurance… it was quite a long process,” Ms Matthews-Want said.
Church warden Bevan Hill said though the church’s operations are still impacted, the support they received from the community was comforting.
“We had people immediately after the fire contacting us and wanting to donate to replace what was lost... We were flooded with offers from all points of the compass,” Mr Hill said.
They actually had trouble storing it all, but with the new shop set to open on Saturday, February 25, Mr Hill hopes they will start to move some of it.
“The community identified with what we were doing, and were outraged that someone would do that,” he said.
The old rectory – or ‘House of Hope’ – was not just an op shop before it burnt down.
It was also used for the children’s ministry, and for the Church of the Way’s emergency relief (aid for families doing it tough, like food packages, school supplies, and counselling), which Ms Matthews-Want said serviced around 14,000 local families before the fire.
“That was when we could do it two days a week, but since [the fire] we’ve only been able to offer it one day a week, and I think we’re at about half the capacity for families. There’s only so many appointments you can take,” she said.
It will come as a relief to the parish, then, to open the new op-shop, which comprises of rented demountables that offer a temporary storage solution.
“We expect to make a big event of that day, we’re going to make it a community event with children’s entertainment, food, that sort of thing, so they know our shop – their shop – is back in business,” Mr Hill said.
However, Ms Matthews-Want and Mr Hill have a long-term vision for a proper re-build to replace the burnt-down house.
“We’ve come up with a community care building, which would be multi-purpose,” Ms Matthews-Want said.
“That would have a kitchen for catering, emergency relief interview offices, and a permanent op shop.
“We’re waiting to hear from Lotterywest to see if we can get some grant money.”
Until then, the new demountable op-shop will have to do.
Join Church of the Way at the official opening on February 25.
For more information, call Mr Hill on 9586 8743.
