FATHER Yousef Fanous was "bowled over" when he first set eyes on what is now the new home for his Coptic Orthodox Church congregation.
For 18 months, Francis Drake Bowling Club at Monterey lay idle after being closed before the property was sold by its owner Ramsgate RSL Memorial Club.
Father Fanous said when he was shown the property in Barton Street, he thought: "This is a great place and we will be able to do so much for the community".
The church has taken out a three-year lease on the property, which long-term, could possibly be used for housing or aged care.
Father Fanous and other leaders of Pope Kyrillos VI & St Habib Girgis Church want the new Coptic Christian Centre to cater to the wider community. The two bowling greens will be converted for mini soccer, using existing synthetic surface, and adding nets and lights.
Tennis courts are also being considered.
Inside, a large part of the former auditorium is now the church.
The former lounge bar and poker machine area is used by the youth group and other social gatherings, and is available for private functions.
Residents in the area are being invited to Carols on the Lawns on December 12.
Four days later, buses will bring about 100 homeless people from the city to the church for Christmas dinner.
Nearby residents have already enjoyed a barbecue, which the church put on to ‘‘meet the neighbours’’.
One home owner was so happy she donated the sausages and buns.
Father Fanous said residents were pleased to see the site being used again for community purposes.
Church committee secretary Ehab Hanna, who spotted the ‘‘For Lease’’ signs and told Father Fanous, said the timing worked out well because a new church, which would also be the centre for the diocese, would open in Caringbah about the time the lease ended.
Mr Hanna said that before moving to Monterey, church services were held at the Syd Frost Memorial Hall at Ramsgate.
THE HISTORY
Francis Drake Bowling Club opened in 1952 and closed in March 2014.
Former secretary Pat Bugden said many members moved to Moorefield Bowling Club. Mr Bugden said while the closure remained disappointing, he was pleased to see the property being used again for community purposes, and especially continuing to provide sport and recreation.
Are you pleased with the church’s plans?
