GOOD things do come to those who wait.
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It’s a statement the members of South Tamworth Seventh Day Adventist church can attest to.
Following a devastating fire in its church in November 2013, the keys were finally handed over to its rebuilding committee last week and the first service was held on Saturday.
“It was to take three months to rebuild and everything was going smoothly until the builders got into the job,” president of the rebuilding committee Arnold Turner said.
“They discovered there was a major problem with the roof structure that wasn’t related to the fire.”
Mr Turner said the church was originally built in 1966 and the work revealed the steel roof beams had buckled under the weight they were bearing.
“It really was a blessing in disguise for us,” Mr Turner said. “If it hadn’t been for the fire it wouldn’t have been picked up and it eventually would have collapsed, which could have been more devastating.”
He said despite the delay in the rebuilding process it was for the best.
“Because it was stripped back to basics, we have been able to modernise the church’s technology, security and much more.”
Pastor Marty Thomson took over services in the church hall in January this year, and like all of the church members, he is excited about the reopening of the church.
“It’s very exciting for everyone and it’s wonderful to be able to hold services in such a fresh and modern church,” Pastor Thomson said.
He said there will an official opening of the rebuilt church in July.
