Church building needs funds

THE first Catholic church building built by early missionaries in the Highlands is in need of a major renovation.
The building was built in 1934 at Mingende parish in Chimbu’s Kerowagi.
Fr Cosmas Kombla, the priest of Mingende St Joseph parish, said the 24 wooden post inside were rotten at ground level and posed a big risk to the parishioners.
“This is the first church building build by early missionaries who arrived in Chimbu from Madang,” he said.
Fr Kombla said the early missionaries used Mingende as their base before slowly moving into Jiwaka, Western Highlands, Enga, Southern Highlands and Hela.
“I want to pull it down and build a new one but, it’s a historical building for the Catholic church in the Highlands and want to maintain for future generation to see,” he said.
Fr Kombla said he needed about K500,000 for major renovation.
He said he already carried out minor renovations inside by putting carpet covering wooden floor at the front altar and putting tiles on the cement floor.
“I am doing this from the little offering of between K130 to K150 every Sunday but, this not enough for a major renovation,” he said.