By Kath Gannaway
Powelltown Union Church celebrated 90 years of non-denominational worship on Sunday, 9 April.
In the first two historic April events – the Powelltown Hall will celebrate its centenary later this month – local parishioners and visitors filed into the church for the special service.
The church was built in 1927 and has high local significance as one of the few Union churches remaining in Victoria.
Among Sunday’s congregation were members of the hardworking team of the Powelltown Public Hall and Union Church Committee who have worked on restoring both the church and the hall over the past few years.
The church has had extensive internal restoration as well as a new kitchen and roof, and committee member Dawn Adams said the thanksgiving service paid tribute to the many people who generously donated to funding the church and restoring it.
Mrs Adams said more than 80 people attended, some coming long distances just to be there to celebrate the milestone.
Lay preacher Henk Boer who has officiated at services in the church for more than 60 years, led the service.
He said there was still a very strong connection passed on from the faith of the early believers.
“I feel the foundations laid in in 1927 when Christians first gathered in Powelltown have continued in spite of fact that no regular service has been held since 2000,” he said.
The hall rang out with beautiful music provided by musicians from the Frankston Forest Baptist Church, and in the spirit of the history of communal contribution everyone took along a plate for a celebratory morning tea.
The Powelltown Hall will mark its centenary with a weekend of celebrations on 29 and 30 April.
For further information, phone Mrs Adams on 5966 7431.
