Diane Grant and Carolyn Steers say goodbye to St Paul’s church in Avenel.
Photo by
Billie Davern
A pillar of the Anglican faith in Avenel will soon close its doors as a place of worship.
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As it stands now, St Paul’s has been forging connections within Avenel’s Anglican community since 1913, but the church’s history in town dates back to 1872 when the foundation stone of its first structure was laid near the Old Hume Hwy.
Now on Queen St, the church has seen its attendance rates dwindle over the years, and it was hosting only occasional joint parish services, and Easter and Christmas services, before the decision was made to deconsecrate it.
The news broke earlier this year to a small group at a parish congregational meeting, where the Anglican Diocese of Wangaratta, which represents the Parish of Central Goulburn, found that it was no longer feasible to continue offering services at the church.
St Paul’s Anglican Church in Avenel will officially be deconsecrated on Sunday, December 14. Photo: Diane Grant
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Longtime parish member and former Telegraph journalist Diane Grant, who has expressed disappointment in the diocese for a lack of consultation with the community before making the decision, said the church’s closure was an ominous sign.
“It’s part of the faith in the town — faith is about hope, and when a church closes, it’s like they’ve given up hope,” she said.
“It’s the downfall of the Christian faith.”
Since the announcement was made, Ms Grant has spoken to a number of locals about the diocese’s decision, including Len Underwood, who has deep ties to St Paul’s.
“The 92-year-old remembers his mother, Daisy Underwood, teaching him Sunday school when he was a child there. That would have been in the 1930s,” she said.
“His daughter, Lyndel, was married there, and his wife, Ruth’s, funeral was held there this year.
“Mr Underwood was saddened that the parish council or diocese representative did not contact any of the Avenel church folk that a congregational meeting was being held to discuss the small church’s future.”
Carolyn Steers, whose family has also had heavy involvement with the church, has herself contributed to St Paul’s upkeep for decades.
“I feel sad,” she said, regarding the church’s closure.
“I’ve paid for the lawn to be mowed for the last 30 years because mum and dad loved it so much.
“I did it for them.”
The diocese has announced a service of deconsecration will take place at St Paul’s on Sunday, December 14 starting at 3pm, giving the community a final opportunity to farewell the church.
Carolyn Steers’ family has made many contributions to the church, including the donation of stained glass windows.
Photo by
Billie Davern
“The parish has gone through a process of prayer and deep discernment where they have considered the workload of the priest, the cost of insurance and utilities, and the maintenance required on the building,” Archdeacon of The Goulburn, The Venerable Rev Melissa Clark said.
“They have held several parish, congregational and public meetings this year, and have made the difficult decision to apply to the diocese to have the church closed.
“After (the deconsecration) service, the diocese will make a decision on the use of the property, whether that be reconfigured for different uses by the diocese or sold.”
On the future of the church, Ms Grant said, if the diocese were to sell the building, she believed it would make a wonderful museum or art gallery.
“Avenel does not have a place where its fine history is recorded or kept,” she said.
“This Anglican church, that has served the Avenel community for over 150 years, should be preserved somehow.”
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