Community
9 August, 2024
Derri’ Uniting Church selling after 110 years
AFTER 110 years, the Derrinallum Uniting Church will be sold.
Derrinallum Uniting Church chairperson Keith Slee said members had made the decision to sell the historic church building.
“It had gotten to the point where we can no longer maintain the property or buildings financially or physically,” he said.
“We are too few and an older group of people who struggle to run farms and attend to church property issues as frequently as it needs.
“Add in compliance demands and insurance costs, we are unable to meet the standards necessary as set down by the Victorian State Government.”
A service of thanksgiving for the 110 years of faithful worship and service will be held in the church on October 27 at 2pm.
A thorough history of the church was written for the centenary listing the names of those who donated chairs, lecterns, art work, communion, table and more.
Reverend Suzie Castle said the well written historical account had given church members a place to start looking for family connections in a bid to offer the pieces back to the families.
“The precious items we can’t find homes for will be received by the local historical society,” she said.
“We are very grateful to Avon whose love of preserving history is clearly seen when we showed her the inscribed 1870’s Bible that needs a safe place to be held.”
The congregation acknowledged there will be sadness for many community members as the township loses the last of the church buildings after the Catholic and Anglican Churches closed a number of years ago.
However, the current membership made up of Uniting and Anglican Church members resolved to continue as a worshipping community meeting every Sunday in the Derrinallum Community Hall.
The new shape of the church will be as a ‘Faith Community’ beginning November 3, at 9am.
Rev Castle said the church was a “beautiful piece of architecture” that many locals have been a part of.
“We want to honour and show our gratitude for the commitment and generosity so many people have made to the church over its long history, and are still making,” she said.
“Possibly, the greatest joy we experienced over the past few years has been building friendships with our Anglican brothers and sisters as we share in worship together and meet every month at Lismore’s Fairway Coffee or Derri (Mount Elephant) pub for a catch up.”
Rev Castle said the congregation came to the conclusion the priority going forward was to continue “meeting, worshipping, building friendships and serving Jesus”.
“We are so grateful to Father Neville and his congregation at Lismore’s St John the Baptist Catholic Church for the offer of space for religious occasions and invitation to worship with them when needed,” she said.
“We are also grateful to the Presbytery Ministers of Western Victoria who offered wisdom and support with the decision making.
“Being able to draw on our own conclusion as to the best way forward for us and make our own decision has been empowering and life giving.”
The community is invited to attend the closing service at 2pm on October 27, and afternoon tea will follow.