Penny Mulvey
22 January 2025
On Friday 10 January the vicar of St Hilary’s Kew, Reverend Adam Cetrangolo, received a very early call with the news that the church property was on fire.
Video footage taken by a neighbour captured the intensity and noise of the fire. The fire fighters’ hoses can be seen trying to douse the flames, but the fire had taken a firm hold.
In the light of day, fire out, fire fighters still on scene, the church itself is standing, resolute despite the charred surrounds.
Talking to Mr Cetrangolo four days later, he said it was hard to believe.
“The first thoughts I had were, after all those renovations to the church, this was another interruption to ministry.
“But it’s just bricks and mortar,” Mr Cetrangolo said. “It doesn’t stop us being who we are as the church.”
As the day progressed, it became clear that the glass section which joined the church to the kitchen and hall, had been destroyed. So too, the kitchen and some of the meeting areas.
The church office was intact, as was the 1930s built hall, still holding its head high, despite water damage.
The vision for St Hilary’s goes back to the 1930s. Building work began on the church in November 1938. The foundation stone was laid by the Archbishop on Saturday 11 February 1939 with the building being opened on 1 July dedicated by Bishop J J Booth of Geelong. St Hilary’s Anglican Church Kew was consecrated by Archbishop Head on 8th May 1943.
Long term parishioner, Geoff Buchanan, who acknowledges he has done just about every job around the church over the years, bar being vicar, said until the fire he attended the church site several times a week.
“Tuesday morning breakfasts, Thursday morning Tom’s Shed, maintenance group for three campuses on Thursday afternoons and Sundays of course,” Mr Buchanan said.
Read more: Major fire destroys parts of St Hilary’s Kew
A non-church friend informed Mr Buchanan about the fire.
“My initial reaction was, ‘Oh no, all that work we said we would do, fixing and screwing and maintaining!’ It then quickly morphed into what caused this, and the extent of the damage. And then as I thought about it, I thought ‘here is a challenge’,” he said.
“We were all a bit surprised, but God wasn’t surprised.
“We are all trying to listen hard to know what God wants to do. We are praying for the church and for Adam. Looking at it from a spiritual warfare point of view, it would suggest Adam is on the right path given all that has happened.”
“Everyone has gathered around Adam and I think he is very grateful.
“He is the sort of fellow who will sit back and say ‘all right this is the situation we have now, where do we go from here? This is an opportunity to do something wonderful’.”
Fiona Hawke, one of the wardens of the St Hilary’s network of three churches, said the Church was working with the diocese’s Head of Property Steve Richardson to ensure the site was safe.
Ms Hawke said Mr Richardson had been exceptional and the diocese very helpful and collaborative.
“They are involving us in the process and are a real blessing,” she said.
The warden also acknowledged the tremendous work of the fire fighters along with the support of the diocese.
“Commander John Dakis had six units attending, as far as Windsor and as close as Hawthorn, and their priority was to save the church.
“The fire investigators on site said it was amazing that the fire didn’t spread further. God’s hands were all over it.
“[The wardens’] role is to make safe, then work through the plan process, providing Adam with relevant information especially around ministry.”
“It is a day-by-day proposition,” Ms Hawke said. “Things are not final.”
Mr Cetrangolo acknowledged that the fire will be harder for those who have had a long history at St Hilary’s, but despite that, people have been incredibly positive.
“The work doesn’t stop. People at St Hil’s have done big projects before, and while there is a sadness of losing something, they are also philosophical. We are all still part of God’s family.”
Other churches in the neighbourhood have also reached out, offering whatever support might be needed.
And while the next year or so will have the people of St Hilary’s off site, for Mr Cetrangolo his focus will always be the people and ministry continuity.
“I have no idea what our long-term plans are, but we will be exploring a few out of the box ideas.
“And in the grand scheme of things, it is just a building.”
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