Sad farewell to Thorpdale church

It was a day of mixed emotion when Reverend Chris Duxbury led the final service at Thorpdale Uniting Church last month.

Rev Duxbury was at the church’s first service in October 1990 when her father, the Reverend Albert Wicks led the congregation.

Now, 27 years later, she is not only part of the church’s history in the visitor book for its opening, but also its final chapter.

The Thorpdale Uniting Church was built with funds raised through growing paddocks of potatoes and rearing calves, along with many generous donations.

A large crowd formed to celebrate its opening, with Rev Wicks.

The Childers and Thorpdale Methodist congregations had worshipped in the tennis pavilion while the new church was built.

Many of the people involved in raising funds and building the new church returned for the final service.

Rev Duxbury said it was a day of mixed emotions.

“It’s about realising that yes it’s a big loss but not letting that get you down so we can celebrate the happiness of the life it has had.

“It was about looking forward and a sense of moving on; as well as continuing to be the people of God wherever they may worship,” she said.

Rev Duxbury said the day included the final church service, a share lunch and many memories shared amongst congregation members and the wider community.

She said there was a display of photographs and the visitors’ book from the day the church held its first service, which she had signed.

Rev Duxbury said when the church was built a lot of people in the community, but not necessarily members of the Uniting Church, took an active interest in the project.

She said people including businesses were very generous in contributing to financing the new church building.

Rev Duxbury said it was a difficult decision to close the church.

She said current members loved the church and the community but realised it could not continue.

Current Rev. Chris Duxbury said the decision had been a difficult decision and painful one.

“It has been a significant place for them, but there are simply not enough able-bodied people who are regularly involved in the congregation to share the load.

“The church is the people and the members will continue being the church in other places,” she said.

The future of the church building has not been decided.

Rev Duxbury said this decision would be made with congregation and presbytery involved in the decision making.

Margaret Dobson, Mary White, Graham Thorpe, Jean Thorpe, Russell Jones take part in the final Thorpdale Uniting Church service.

Enjoying lunch after the final church service are (from left) Rev Chris Duxbury, Brett Duxbury, Renee Duxbury, Rev Russell Jones and Ewen Murphy

Leonie and Ross Pethybridge and Val Murphy sing a farewell hymn during the final church service.

Long standing Uniting Church member Ron Lowe entertains the congregation on his piano accordian.