The Plenty community celebrated the 100th birthday of the relocated Plenty Church, including staff from the Yan Yean Road Upgrade who helped to move the historical building in 2018.
Plenty of Plenty people came to celebrate on the last Saturday in November, with the Plenty Historical Society sharing lots of memories and just as much afternoon tea with aplomb.
VIDA Roads relocated and fully restored the church at Plenty Heritage Park during the Yan Yean Road Stage 1 project and this approach to community consultation and supporting local heritage lives on with Stage 2.
The project has included several design revisions to maintain the local feel and retain a number of River Red Gums at the intersection of Yan Yean, Bridge Inn and Doctors Gully roads.
Completing its restoration in 2020, the Plenty Church capped off an incredible 700m journey from River Avenue to its new location in the Plenty Historical Precinct next to Plenty Hall.
As part of refurbishment works, the former church has been reinforced with a new roof and foundation, walls and windows have been repaired, and the entire building repainted to protect it for the decades to come.
We recognised the significance of the building to the community and worked with Nillumbik Shire Council, the Plenty Historical Society and heritage consultants to finalise restoration plans.
The Plenty Historical Society has played a key role in ensuring the church was protected and preserved and have agreed to assist the council in managing and utilising the facilities.
Built in 1924 to serve the local Methodist congregation, the weatherboard church later became the Uniting Church, with its final service on Christmas Day 1976.
Find out more about the Yan Yean Road Upgrade.