In a service attended by over 65 people, St Luke’s Anglican Church in Dookie, standing as a testament of faith for 120 years, was deconsecrated, marking an end to an era and the beginning of a new chapter.
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The Anglican Bishop of Wangaratta, Clarence Bester, said that since becoming Bishop in February 2020, he has had to secularize a number of churches consecrated by former bishops.
“(But) now for the first time, I’ve had to deconsecrate a church that was dedicated, set apart for the worship of the almighty God by the first Bishop of Wangaratta, Thomas Armstrong,” he said.
“This Church is very special to me and my family because this was the church — behind that altar, that prayer desk, and this pulpit — that I celebrated my first service after I arrived in Australia.”
Di Feldtmann, a longtime parishioner of the church, gave thanks at the end of the service.
“It’s so lovely to see so many faces here today. You could be past parishioners, your family may have been members of the guild, or you may be here because you were baptised or confirmed here,” she said.
“This is a momentous historical occasion for Dookie.”
In the face of such a significant transition, the church community has been thoughtful about preserving memories and legacies.
“It’s our wish that our altar table goes to our new Anglican school in Shepparton,” Ms Feldtmann said.
“It will be just lovely to know that it will be amongst young people, new learning, and young worship.”
She then said that the Anglicans of Dookie will continue to hold their services at St Andrew’s Uniting Church on the second Sunday of each month.
During the de-consecration ceremony, Ms Feldtmann also took the time to read out letters from past priests, providing a poignant connection to the church’s storied history.
Rev’d Jerome Francis, the priest in charge of the Anglican Parish of Shepparton, which included St Luke’s Anglican Church Dookie and still includes St Augustine’s Anglican Church, thanked the parishioners of the church.
“Thank you to Di and Janet and other people in the community who have kept things happening at this Church even though we didn’t have regular services,” he said.
“They were the face of Anglicans in this community and worked diligently for this event.”
“We thank God for the ministry and are exceptionally grateful to the Uniting Church for welcoming members of our congregation.”
As the community looks to the future while holding onto cherished memories of the past, the church now awaits a new chapter and will be put up for sale.