The Chronicle

Historic church to be closed

Building not connected to electricit­y

- Tom Gillespie tom.gillespie@thechronic­le.com.au

IT WAS a church so historic it was never connected to electricit­y in its 126 years.

But the days are numbered for the Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Geham after the Queensland Archdioces­e decided to close it down and sell it.

Originally built in 1891 by the Plant family, the tiny 30-person church held services on the fourth Sunday of the month.

However committee member James Crighton, whose ancestor Samuel Plant was the builder, said the current caretakers were too old to continue looking after it.

“Only about nine people attend per month, which is why they’ve decided to cut their losses,” he said.

“It’s never been connected to electricit­y – there’s no toilet, you had to use a bucket.

“It only seats about 30 people, but it’s a bit of history that’s going to disappear.”

A spokesman for the Anglican Church Southern Queensland said the parishione­rs sought the building be sold.

“A public meeting and a parish meeting chaired by Bishop of the Western Region, The Right Reverend Cameron Venables was held on June 17 where the decision to close the church was reaffirmed,” he said.

“The matter was referred to Diocesan Council which made the decision to close the church on November 23.

“The diocese has decided to sell the church and has

had numerous expression­s of interest, however, a process for the sale is yet to be determined.”

The church contains pieces of historic items donated by the Plant family, which Mr Crighton said should be taken to the parish at Crows Nest.

The final service of thanksgivi­ng and closure will be on February 24 at 11am.

 ??  ?? LAST SERVICE: The Holy Trinity Church in Geham was never connected to electricit­y and had no toilet.
LAST SERVICE: The Holy Trinity Church in Geham was never connected to electricit­y and had no toilet.
 ?? CONTRIBUTE­D ?? The Holy Trinity Church in Geham, which opened in 1891, has just two more services left before it closes. PHOTOS:
CONTRIBUTE­D The Holy Trinity Church in Geham, which opened in 1891, has just two more services left before it closes. PHOTOS:
 ??  ?? The church was built in 1891.
The church was built in 1891.

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