The future of St David’s Anglican Church is in the hands of the Rathdowney community, with Fr Ken Spreadborough urging people to attend monthly services to keep the Church open.
The Church was closed for two years during the covid pandemic, with rumours that the closure was permanent and the building and grounds might be sold.
The first service in two years was held on Sunday 8 January, with people coming from Mt Barney and Beaudesert to discuss the future of the Church.
Fr Ken said he understood the importance of the church in the small community.
“We have three options open to us,” he said.
“If there is enough support, services can be held on the first Sunday of each month. I would need at least six local people attending these services,” said Fr Ken.
Alternatively the Church could remain open with services held at Easter and Christmas.
The final option was one Fr Ken said he didn’t want to think about – selling the Church and grounds.
Prior to the covid closure there were 10 – 12 people attending regular monthly services, with 27 people attending the first service back.
First built in 1929, it took six years of fundraising by local people and through funds raised by the community, with the land donated by local man W G Downes (known as ‘Farmer’ Downes).
June Richards has been attending St David’s Anglican Church since the 1940s.
“My sister and I used to come with our friends, the McIntyres, when we were children.”
She said the closure of the church for the past two years during covid was understandable but the idea of it being sold was upsetting.
“I hate to think that it would be sold. I would not want that.”
Fr Ken agreed to hold a service in February, however the future of the church will depend on the congregation numbers over the coming months.
St David’s Anglican Church is located at 12 Hardgrave Street, Rathdowney and the next service is on Sunday 5 February at 10.30am, followed by morning tea.
