HISTORY

Our parish began in the developing suburb of Giralang with the first service being held in the rectory at 10 Centaurus St, Giralang on 7 March 1976.  Seventeen people including the celebrant were present.

With our congregation growing we found it necesssary to move services to the Giralang Community House when it opened in September 1976.  Rather than be known as "Belconnen E" it was decided to ask the Bishop in Council to approve the name of St. Simon's for our church.  This was agreed to on 1 May 1977.  Kaleen was being built and the congregation grew with the influx of people into that suburb.

Parishioners were in the forefront of community affairs, a Youth Group was led by two of our number.  The local Sea Scout group had 4 leaders from among St. Simon's people, and several of our parishioners served on local community groups such as Giralang and Kaleen Community House Associations.  With the opening of Giralang School we moved there in February 1977 to make use of its superior facilities.

To enable parishioners to grow in faith, bible study and prayer groups were regularly held.

Discussion among parishioners showed that the need for a purpose built building (church plus hall) had not been demonstrated, so a decision to build our own church plus hall was postponed indefinitely.

In 1978 we moved to larger facilities in Kaleen High School.

At a vision day which was held in 1986 all parishioners were able to contribute to a wide range of subjects which included Worship, Missions, Prayer and building.  From that came our aims, "To Glorify God, to make known the gospel, and to minister to those in need".

The decision was made that St. Simon's should begin a building program.  In October 1987 the lease on the land was handed over and St. Simon's Anglican Church took possession of a block of land near the Kaleen Village Centre.  Construction of the Rectory facing Staaten Crescent was begun in December 1987 and completed for occupation on 25 April 1988.  Construction of stage one of the Church complex began immediately and our first service was held by candlelight on Christmas Eve 1988.  Much of the construction of the building, its fitting out and furnishing, and the landscaping was done with our own hands.

Extraordinary interest charges prevented us from doing more than pour the cement slab for the second stage of the building (the narthex, parish office and meeting room).  As a result, arrangements for Sunday School remained far from ideal, with classes being held in the Rectory and in a portable construction shed in the church grounds.  It was therefore decided to proceed with the second stage of the building as soon as possible.  Most of the $40,000 required was either donated or provided as interest-free loans and work commenced in July 1991.  Again, a significant amount of the labour was provided voluntarily.  The extension was officially opened by Bishop Owen Dowling in March 1992.  Eventually stage three, which will accommodate approx 450 people for worship, will be added.  Stage one will then become the parish hall.