Church celebrates anniversary
St Luke’s Church at Ellinbank celebrated a significant anniversary in September, with the centenary of worship on the church site.
The original church on the current site was St George’s Church of England, built on land on the corner of Warragul-Korumburra and Hazeldean Rds which was donated by Lionel Gilbert.
The church was dedicated on September 15, 1915.
The church was destroyed by fire in June 1968.
A new co-operating church committee was formed in October 1968, with members from the Anglican and Methodist churches.
The Methodist Churches of Ellinbank, Tetoora Rd and Lardner combined to build St Luke’s.
The new church was built and dedicated in March 1971.
St Luke’s was again gutted by fire three months later but was rebuilt and reopened in December that year.
About 160 parishioners and past parishioners attended the anniversary service, some travelling from many parts of Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania.
The celebration included morning tea and a church service conducted by the Rev Chris Duxbury, assisted by the Rev Philip Muston and the Rev Katie Peken. The service included a slideshow of photographs.
Barbara Wallace presented a history of the church.
Musicians were Margaret Rowse playing the organ and Jenny Sharman played the piano. Chris Waddell played guitar and led singing before the service.
Many old friendships were renewed over lunch in the Ellinbank hall.
Barrie Gilbert introduced the Reverend Ray Elliot who was the Anglican Rector when St George’s church was burnt down in 1968.
Ray spoke about the devastating fire and the service held the following Sunday beside the ruins. He also was instrumental in establishing the co-operating churches committee.
Dulcie Wharton, 90, daughter of a member of the original church Colin Sutherland, cut the cake.