COWANDILLA motorists could be forgiven for doing a double take when passing a 3m statue of an Egyptian pharaoh.
The St Mary and Anba Bishoy Coptic Orthodox Church has put up a statue of Ramses II, along with a 4m high pyramid, to educate children about Egyptian and Coptic history.
The group, based on Goldfinch Ave, has its fingers crossed the replica of Egypt's Step Pyramid, about 30km south of Cairo, will be ready in time for History Week, beginning May 1.
Sculptor Emad Kerolos El-Meiri has been working on the plaster and foam statue since October.
"It is what I enjoy doing and it will be good for the community because it will create an interest in what it is and what it represents," Mr El-Meiri said.
"It has been difficult because I have had to protect it from the rain but I'm happy with the result so far."
West Torrens Council slapped a stop work order on the statue's construction last month.
The church was forced to submit a retrospective development application because work began without council planning approval.
The statue has since been given the all-clear and Father Philippos Youssef was confident the pyramid would also be approved by May.
"We are writing a letter (to the council) explaining how it will benefit the community and why it should be allowed," Mr Youssef said.
"We talk to people who live around here and they do not seem to have a problem with it - a lot of people come and take photos."
Church neighbour Vicki Symenoikas, 77, said neither the statue nor the pyramid bothered her.
"It will be nice when they are built - they will be interesting to look at," Ms Symenoikas said.
"They are lovely people. (Mr El-Meiri) pushes me in my wheelchair when I need to go somewhere."
King Ramses II ruled from 1279-1213 BC and is often considered the most powerful pharaoh because of his success in battle, the length of his rule, and because he built the UNESCO listed Abu Simbel temple near Aswan in Egypt.
The statue is visible from Goldfinch Ave, while the unfinished pyramid is in the back of the church's carpark.
A council spokeswoman said its Development Assessment Panel would consider the church's application within a few weeks.
