The $750,000 project to restore the Anglican church’s historic bell tower is under way. 

Workers are repairing the limestone structure after 133 years of weathering by salt air.

Scaffolding has been erected around the Henna Street tower and the task is expected to take four to five months as labourers slowly revitalise the landmark.

Parish priest Scott Lowery said the restoration would not have occurred without the generosity of parishioners and the wider community. 

More cash still needs to be raised for the refurbishment with much of the funding coming from a diocese loan.

“It was work that needed to occur in a timely manner in order to cause the least amount of disruption,” Father Lowery said. 

“If you wait too long, that can cause more headaches.

"St Paul’s Cathedral in Bendigo is an example of where the refurbishment was left too late and that’s caused the congregation to move out of the church for several years while work takes place.

"We didn’t want that to happen in Warrnambool.”

The scaffolding has provided a unique view of Warrnambool for a lucky few, with most of the city easily visible from the top of the bell tower.

Bolden Constructions owner-operator Ian Bolden said the panorama was impressive.

“If you have a quick walk around the top of the scaffolding, you can see the T&G clocktower, the Fletcher Jones silver ball, the Catholic and Uniting churches,” Mr Bolden said. 

“Go further around and there’s a clear view of the Hotel Warrnambool, Lake Pertobe, the breakwater and the Norfolk pines along Raglan Parade. If you had a penthouse here it’d have a million-dollar view.”

Mr Bolden said cleansing liquid was initially applied to the bell tower to rid the limestone of decades of saline build-up.

The mortar joints needed repointing and some of the limestone has to be repaired where small portions have crumbled away.

The internal section of the tower will also be recoated with render to help protect the bell mechanism from further deterioration.

“You’ve got to remember, this is the first big clean-up in more than a hundred years,” Mr Bolden said. 

“There’s been some patch-up work here and there but not a total overhaul like now.”

Christ Church is one of south-west Victoria’s oldest continuous places of worship.

It with its foundation stone laid in December 1855. The south nave was completed in 1856 with the north nave following on five years later. The bell tower was a later addition, designed by Warrnambool architect Andrew Kerr and dedicated in 1882 when the bells were installed.

The three Hanover bells were originally brought to Australia from Germany for the 1881 Melbourne Exhibition, where they were awarded first prize.

They were purchased by local businessman and state parliamentarian Frederick Perkins Stevens, who donated them to the church in memory of his son.

Father Lowery said the bells are the oldest matched peal in Australia and were decorated with angels and religious inscriptions.

“They make a magnificent sound,” he said. 

“They were designed as a call to prayer and they certainly fulfil that role.”

Former premier Denis Napthine announced a state government contribution of $90,000 while in office last year. Philanthropic trusts from the region have matched that figure with a significant fund-raising drive under way to raise the remaining costs of more than $500,000.

A soup and pudding evening will be held next Tuesday at 6pm in the Hammond Fellowship Centre, adjacent to the church. A concert will also be staged on May 31 at 2pm in the church.

“Anyone is welcome to attend either events,” Father Lowery said. 

“Parishioners have been generous and we’re still working towards that goal of raising enough funds to cover the costs.”

Donations can be made through a direct payment to the Warrnambool Anglican Parish Council heritage appeal through the National Bank (BSB 083 957/ account number 57 625 7853). Cheques can be made out to the Anglican Parish of Warrnambool, and further inquiries can be made through Father Lowery.