Last month, the congregation at Arnold Street Bendigo Uniting Church bid a sad farewell to their place of worship.
Arnold Street had been a place of Christian worship for many people over the past 141 years. Formerly Methodist, it once had a vibrant community with many and varied activities over the years.
Due to declining numbers, the time had come to make some rational and objective decisions and, on 17 May, the church was officially decommissioned.
In July last year the congregations of Arnold Street, Neale Street and White Hills merged to form the Weeroona Congregation.
The last service officially held in the building was 28 December 2014.
Since then the congregation has worshipped with other members of the Weeroona Uniting Church Bendigo, alternating at Neale Street and White Hills sites.
The decommissioning service was organised and led by Judy Berridge, presbytery minister administration Loddon Mallee Presbytery. Rev Lorene Day, a past presbytery chairperson, delivered the reflection.
Various congregation members, past and present, assisted in the procession of symbols and Bible readings.
Congregation members were each given a stone as a symbol to remind them of the memories, gifts and lessons learned during their time at Arnold Street
Towards the end of the service, the congregation was led out of the building by a group carrying the Bible, cross, candle and Holy Communion elements.
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