August 1, 2022
The Anglican Church will hold three public meetings in September and October to gather community feedback on proposed church closures.
The meetings will consider the future of St Faith’s in Mondure, Christ Church in Murgon and St David’s at Boonara.
The changes are part of the church’s program of congregation consolidation in rural and regional areas, which has been prompted by population changes and improvements in transport over the past century.
In recent years, church officials have closed St Matthew’s Anglican Church in Kilkivan (2013), St Paul’s Anglican Church in Kumbia (October 2015) and the Heritage-listed Shepherd Memorial Church of St Peter in Proston (November 2015).
Parishioners in those three towns were advised to travel to Anglican churches in larger centres nearby for worship.
The church buildings were then deconsecrated and the properties put on the market.
The public meetings to discuss the latest proposed closures will be held on:
- Saturday, September 3 – St Faith’s Anglican Church, Mondure
- Saturday, September 24 – Christ Church Anglican Church, Murgon
- Saturday, October 1 – St David’s Anglican Church, Boonara
All meetings will start at 10:30am.
St Faith’s Anglican Church – which celebrated its centenary in 2012 – is one of 69 sites listed on the South Burnett Regional Council’s Heritage Register.
The register identifies sites of local heritage significance, and any new owner will require development approval to make alterations to the building.
Related articles:
- Mystery Of The Missing Grave
- For Sale: One Church
- End Of An Era At Kilkivan
- Parish Celebrates A Centenary Of Faith
Apart from the religious aspect, churches in small rural communities have been a social gathering place. So it’s unfortunate that many will be closed, and many people, especially elderly, will not be inclined to drive long distances to attend a different church.