FOR 100 years, the Anglican Church St John the Baptist at Reedy Creek has been a place for the community to come together and support one another.
On October 4, the centenary will be celebrated and residents from Westbrook, Reedy Creek and Mirannie will come together to remember the history of the Church and the congregation.
The dedication of St John the Baptist Church was held on October 3, 1908 and the following day the first service for the congregation was conducted in the building built by the Church community, all volunteers.
There were 300 parishioners present at the opening ceremony and it is hoped that this number will be seen again at the centenary.
For the surrounding community, the Church has been a place for people to get together and celebrate special occasions or support one another in tough times or times of illness.
Joy Poole has been a member of the congregation for around 30 years and is excited about the prospect of having family members of people who attended the opening 100 years ago.
“There are some family names still in the area and others are actually traveling to come back here for the centenary,” she explained.
“There is one person coming from as far as Corindi whose grandfather attended the dedication.
“Looking back at photos of the dedication it is interesting to see names that are still in our community.”
Today, the Church has a morning prayer on the first Sunday of the month.
The members are that dedicated to their Church and the congregation that they conduct these themselves.
In the early days getting to the Church was only possible by horse and sulky from Glendon Brook, Westbrook, Reedy Creek and Mirannie.
Traveling across country this way actually took less time than what it does to drive today.
For Glendon Brook residents it is now about 30km to get to the Church due to the closing of Hamilton Crossing.
Seeing children who attended services at the Church return with their own children has been something Ms Poole holds close to her heart.
“There are people who attended services with their parents who then brought in their own children to be christened and I can see that going on for 100 years and more,” she explained.
The maintaining and restoration of the Church is very important to the congregation, as the buildings architecture is quite artistic and beautiful. It was designed by Sydney architect Mr J.W. Manson and supervised by Singleton architect Mr F.D Anderson.
The land was brought for 600 pound from Mr J.J Graham of Spottiswood, Westbrook, with most of the finances coming from the residents.
At the dedication in 1908 an alter cloth for the Church was presented by Miss Mabel Fitzroy that had emblems worked in old gold silk. Miss Fitzroy presented a silver alms dish and Mr Frank Dight, a carved English oak Chancel chair. A silken kneeler for communicants was presented by Mrs La Barte, the wife of the Rector of the All Saints’ Parish, extending the whole length of the Communion Railing.
The care that the congregation has taken of this Church is to be commended. .
For Ms Poole the day is about getting together with the whole community and past community and congregation members to celebrate the Church.
“We are just happy to have anyone there wanting to celebrate this great milestone with us,” she said.
The centenary celebrations will start at 11am with a
service conducted by the Minister from All Saints. Special guests, a cake and shared lunch are also planned for the day with people welcome to bring along a plate of sweet or savory food to share.
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