THE vicar of Williamstown's Holy Trinity Anglican Church, who last Thursday was appointed archdeacon of Essendon, has a down-to-earth approach on matters divine.
Reverend Lynda McMinn becomes Melbourne's second female archdeacon, responsible for parishes across Brimbank, Macedon Ranges, Maribyrnong, Melton, Moonee Valley, Hume, Hobsons Bay and Wyndham.
"I just don't like to grind the women issue," she said. "I just think it's better to get on with what you do and do it well."
Her Williamstown parish was recently in the headlines when the Melbourne Anglican Trust Corporation won an appeal against Hobsons Bay Council to subdivide the Nelson Place site and build 11 double-storey houses.
It was a case of the parish's prayers being answered - quite literally.
After winning its appeal to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, the parish gave thanks for the planning permit and prayed for the development to proceed smoothly.
As part of the redevelopment, the vicarage hall in Pasco Street will be relocated to the grounds of Westbourne Grammar School in Truganina. The hall's portico is on the Victorian Heritage Register.
Ms McMinn said the moves were necessary to stop another church going to God.
"It's obvious from looking at the vicarage and the church that work has to be done," she said.
"Work that has to be done on heritage buildings is very expensive and it's hard for a small community to do that. Often what happens with little churches that can't do that work is they end up getting sold off for McDonald's franchises. That's the reality.
"Williamstown Grammar School started in this hall as a school and then Williamstown Grammar has become Westbourne Grammar. So it's part of their history and connections. They're going to take it over and restore it as a multi-purpose hall.
"We're not in this as developers or to make a fortune. The money we get from sale of the subdivision will fund the restoration, pay for the parish centre, and we have a covenant with Heritage Victoria that money has to be put away in a sinking fund to maintain these buildings into the future."
Ms McMinn said the church, which also prays for those affected by the current financial crisis and those who have lost their jobs, needed better earthly facilities to help the needy.
Now more than ever, it isn't just people from the 12-storey public housing flats next door coming to church for help.
Every Monday and Friday, the parish opens its doors to provide morning tea and lunch, financial assistance, counselling and advice to people in need.
"The facilities in the hall are not great," Ms McMinn said.
"If it rains it floods because the roof has got to the point where it can't be repaired any more.
"We're also putting into the new building a shower, so we can provide people with a hot shower.
"I think the church is always practical. The church is always about people's practical needs."
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