Council grants sisters' wish

Le there be light: The historic Sisters of Mercy Convent in Grafton will be more open to the street as council approves the demolition of the hall on the corner of Victoria and Villiers streets.

GRAFTON’S Sisters of Mercy will soon see an upgrade to their historic convent in Victoria Street after Clarence Valley Council approved an application to demolish an unused building, making space for expansion.

Council’s deputy general manager Des Schroder said the council approved a plan to remove a hall near the corner of Villiers and Victoria streets, built in the 1950s, which was not being used by the convent.

“The newer building was built in the 1950s, while the original building was built between 1880 and the early 1900s.”

“That more recent building is just sitting there as an empty building now.

“The sisters want to knock that building down and open up that area into a small congregational room, like a prayer or meeting room and also put a garden in there.”

Mr Schroder said the removal of the hall would also make the historic convent more visible to people passing by on Victoria Street.

Congregation leader, Sister Barbara Bolster, said the she welcomed the approval to demolish the hall.

“We’re absolutely delighted,” she said.

“There’s going to be a lot more sunlight let into the home where the sisters live, also the sisters won’t be living next to an empty old school building anymore.

“We’ll also be putting in a beautiful garden and a room where the sisters can do ministry.”

Mr Schroder said although there was no official starting date for the work, the Sisters had been waiting for the approval, the process would likely commence soon.