Sydney Baptist and United Church Congregations To Merge
Two religious denominations in Sydney are joining forces in the face of declining church attendance and the rising cost of maintaining church buildings. Members of the Baptist and United Church faith will worship together under the newly merged United Heritage Church. The merger will bring together the congregations of First United, St. Andrew’s United and Trinity United with members of the United Baptist Church. A service to officially establish the new church will take place a week from Sunday. Reverend Gary Burrill who used to be with St. Andrew’s United says he doesn’t know of any other arrangement like this one. He adds the new church is a United Church with a special provision that allows Baptists to keep their membership in the Baptist tradition. The new church will be located in the former United Baptist Church on the corner of Townsend and Charlotte Streets in Sydney.