Members and friends, both past and present, celebrated 125 years of worship at the Montrose Uniting Church in November last year.
Starting as a home church in 1878, associated with the then United Methodist Free Church, the first worship in a church building took place in 1888.
Stuart Morton is an elder at Montrose UC. He said the anniversary celebration was about looking forward as much as reminiscing the past.
“At a time when many churches are wondering how they will survive as worshipping communities, it is inspirational to reflect on one district’s history,” Mr Morton said.
“Over the years there must have been many occasions when the small groups of worshippers wondered just how they would continue. Survive they did. Today’s small Uniting Church congregation made a great statement of honouring its past, acknowledging its present, and looking with optimism to its future.”
The service, led by Rev John Cranmer, included recollections of the past, accounts of what is happening now and prayerful anticipation for the future. After the service a long lunch was held in the meeting space. Many stories were told, friendships renewed and memories recalled.
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