THE 150th anniversary of the Port MacDonnell Uniting Church will be celebrated this month with a day of celebrations planned for September 16.
A 10am service will be followed by the unveiling of a commemorative plaque outside the Bookey Street church, with a luncheon to follow at the Port MacDonnell Hall.
The Sunday afternoon luncheon will feature past ministers among its guest speakers, along with various musical items.
Photographs and memorabilia will be displayed in the RSL hall and guests will be encouraged to bring along their own significant keepsakes to place in a time capsule.
Reverend Dr Murray Earl said it was important to acknowledge an important part of Port MacDonnell’s history.
“It’s an acknowledgement local churches continue – it’s been a service to Port MacDonnell, where the Christian life reminds us to look out for our neighbour and that’s what we have done for 150 years,” he said.
The church’s foundation stone was laid on the October 1, 1866, by Abraham Field Barrett JP.
According to the Mount Gambier Standard of October 4, 1866, “in a cavity beneath the stone was placed a bottle containing a copy of The Border Watch and the Mount Gambier Standard and a number of photographs”.
The building cost £484, four shillings and five pence and was constructed on land donated by A.F. Barrett JP, the managing partner of Must and Co shipping agents.
It opened for worship on September 18, 1867, with Reverend J.C. Millard preaching at both services on the opening day.
Since then, generations of men, women and children have met regularly for worship and to pray for and serve the Port MacDonnell community.
“There has been a worshipping congregation over 150 years – through war and peace, rough seas and calm seas, drought and rain, the worship has endured and this is what we are celebrating,” Reverend Earl said.
Weekly worship, Ladies Aid societies, Sunday school, the Band of Hope Association, women’s guild, men’s groups, scouts, youth fellowships, bible studies, special missions, strawberry fetes, meals, concerts, harvest thanksgivings, fundraisers and official church meetings have made up the life of the church and the building itself has been a vital part of that journey.
The theme for the sesquicentenary celebration is “Jesus is our light and anchor” – a message reflected in the church’s intricate stained glass windows.
“Just to affirm that it’s the Christian life in ordinary days – the integration of faith and work and all those things that make up ordinary life, whether its farming, fishing, family or community,” Reverend Earl said.
Contact Reverend Murray Earl on 0427 470 636 for more information about the 150th celebrations.
