IN 1977, the founding members of the Hawkesbury District Presbyterian Church had only been using their new chapel for a year when they were forced to buy it a second time following a parish-wide merger.
This is just one of the fascinating historical stories that will be celebrated at the South Windsor church in honour of its 40th birthday service on Sunday, September 4.
“The church was built in 1976 as a Presbyterian church but in 1977 many of these churches and their properties moved across to the Uniting church,” pastor Bob Thurlow told the Gazette.
“So, after building it and paying for it, the people who were meeting in that building had to buy it back. It took a lot of fundraising!”
Community members are invited to attend the church, located at 46 Drummond Street, for a special anniversary service on Sunday from 10am until 11am. This will be followed by morning tea, and afterwards a BBQ lunch.
“We’ll be reflecting on what it was like and what’s changed,” said Mr Thurlow.
We’ll be singing some of the songs we sang back then.
- Pastor Bob Thurlow
“There will be some static and electronic displays and memorabilia, and stories from some of the older people who can remember back to when the church was built 40 years ago.”
