Wollongong New Building Opens
The waiting is finally over for Salvationists in Wollongong, with the city’s new Corps complex officially opened last weekend.
Territorial Commander Commissioner James Condon performed the opening with the words: “What a journey! You must feel like the children of Israel.”
It’s taken eight years for the complex to be built but the result is impressive: the three-level centre includes a 650-seat auditorium, street-front café, offices, multipurpose rooms and an underground carpark.
More than 600 people attended the official opening, including Wollongong Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery, Federal Member for Cunningham Sharon Bird, Wollongong Catholic Bishop Peter Ingram, community representatives, territorial leaders Commissioners James and Jan Condon, divisional leaders Lieutenant-Colonels Peter and Jan Laws, and past corps officers.
In a challenge, Commissioner Condon, referring to Acts 2:41-47, said The Salvation Army enjoyed the favour of the people, but one day would be held accountable for that favour: “Are we just taking their money? God forbid,” he said. “We do what we do because the love of God compels us. I want us to be a Spirit-filled Army of the 21st century.”
The complex will house the Wollongong Corps, the First Floor Restoration Program, Café Essay, a conference centre, multi-purpose training rooms and the regional public relations office.
This story is an edited extract of a Pipeline article written by Bill Simpson.
photo courtesy of Captain Joy Lotty, Corps Officer of Wollongong.
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