New church will ‘only take up 500m2’
THE BISHOP of Paphos Giorgios yesterday presented his plans for building a cathedral in the town’s public gardens.
The scheme has stirred controversy and split the town into two distinctive camps.
The public gardens surround the town hall. Critics charge that the tract of land is the only green area left in the centre of the town and should remain as a park for the people.
The municipality had leased the land from the Church for the past fifty years, but the contract was not renewed when it recently came to an end.
The Bishop presented the plans, stating that the cathedral dimensions would be 30x17m, covering an area of 510m2 and the height would not exceed 20m to the top of the bell tower.
The project’s architect is Artemios Papachrysostomou, Bishop Giorgios’ brother.
The Bishop underlined that the cathedral would, “only use five per cent of the total area of the public garden.”
He stressed that the new construction would not “disturb the sensitive nature of the park,” and added that the remaining 13,500 square metres would be handed back to the local authority who would then be able to restore the area.
The Paphos Bishopric has been demanding the right to build a cathedral in the town hall garden since the municipality’s rental agreement for the use of the land ran out three years ago.
“The land belongs to the Bishopric and was rented to the municipality of Paphos for fifty years from 1955 to 2005, when this agreement expired,” Bishop Giorgios said yesterday.
Under the conditions of the lease, a piece of land was given to the municipality to build the current town hall. In addition, the bishopric gave a further three pieces for the statues of Pallikarides, Palmas and Solomos.
The remaining piece of land of around 14,000m2 belongs to the church. Under the terms of the contract, the Bishop says there was a provision for the building of a cathedral and the Bishopric, which until has not been taken up.
“Now we’re asking for a cathedral of only 500m2,” said Bishop Giorgios.
“The new building has been designed to blend in with the existing buildings, and in the style of the town hall, schools, and other structures of the area.’
The town hall was erected in 1955 in neoclassical style, and is located in the heart of Ktima, the old town of Paphos.
Those opposed to the idea of the cathedral in the park have said that an alternative spot must be found, leaving the garden free for the public.
The Bishop said there were limited locations where his new cathedral may be built, saying that a cathedral is a special type of church, and must be situated near the Bishops’ palace. He believes there is nowhere else in the centre of Paphos, which is suitable for this purpose.
Since the lease ran out, the Bishopric has forbidden the municipality from using the park and upgrading work on the green areas ground to a halt.
Park walls are covered in graffiti, the park is messy and uncared for.
Those opposed include the political parties of AKEL and the Greens. Paphos district secretary of the Greens, Andreas Evlavis told the Cyprus Mail that the Greens have opposed the planned church from the beginning.
“We don’t want any changes like this in the park. We want to plant more trees, and they want to plant more concrete.”
Evlavis said the Greens aren’t singling out the church.
“Our opposition is to any building there. It should remain as a park. The area is in the centre of the town, and a number of schools are close by, it would be nice if the students could use the park and spend some time there.
“The municipal park is dead, and this is the way the church wanted it, because they believe it will now be easier to pas their plans. They didn’t water the trees and shrubs, and it looks miserable.
We want this are to be green and thriving and a place for everyone to go and enjoy.”
Meanwhile, political party DISY is taking a more cautious approach, with local councillor Polis Polydorou saying that they would, “carefully examine all the relevant information before making decisions or statements.”
In the meantime, Paphos mayor, Savvas Vergas said that the application by the Bishop of Paphos would go through the usual channels and be examined in the usual way.
He reiterated the public that town planning does not allow for any building within the boundaries of the public gardens, as this would be in violation of the license granted by the council of ministers.
“Even though this is the case, the application will be looked at according to its place in the queue, and once the information has been revised and discussed, the municipality of Paphos will then state its position.”
Until then, it appears as if the fate of the dilapidated park hangs in the balance.
