JourneyOnline
THE small rural church of Dalveen in the Downs Presbytery has closed its doors after 57 years of worship.
More than 50 people packed into the traditional weatherboard building on 23 June for the final service to remember and give thanks for fellowship and worship during countless Sunday services, weddings, baptisms, confirmations and funerals.
The establishment of the church in 1955 was a community affair, with land donated by P. Cameron, timber for the polished fl oors and walls supplied by local sawmill owners Cliff and Stan Pidgeon, and construction by nine local volunteers.
The historic bell, also donated by the Pidgeons, and originally used to toll the beginning and end of the shift at their brickworks, was presented back to the Dalveen community during the decommissioning service.
In his address, Pastor Dudley Abraham gave thanks to the people who had started the church, and to those who had kept it going.
"We believe we are the church, a body of believers going out in the community and witnessing for Christ," he said.
"Let this not be the end of the life of the church, but the beginning of a new life in the community."
Presbytery Minister, Sharon Kirk, and Church Council members Judy Middleton and Susan Evans assisted in the decommissioning service.
Photo : Members of Dalveen Uniting Church, Bev Butler, Pam Mitchell, Allyson Abraham, Cath Brown and Dulcie Welsh. Photo by Joyce Abraham
