There were no spare seats at the final service for Merrigum’s last standing church.
St Sebastian’s Church on Morrisey St, Merrigum has had a rich 120-year history in the town, however with dwindling attendance numbers, that history had to come to an end.
On Sunday, February 2, attendees made up of current, past or first time worshippers filled the pews for the church’s final service, and it’s official decommissioning.
The service was presided over by the Bishop of Sandhurst, Shane Mackinlay and was joined by the current and former parish priests, Father Uday Marneni and Father Michael Morley, respectively.
When the pews filled, crowds flowed out the door, waiting to catch a glimpse of the church before they closed its doors for the final time.
When all was said and done, attendees gathered at the Merrigum Bowling Club and reminisced old memories of attending St Sebastian’s over lunch and drinks.
Joe Chant, a long-time congregation member, said some travelled out to Merrigum just to farewell their “special church”.
“It was a fitting farewell for St Sebastian’s... (it) was a wonderful chance for so many stories to be shared and (for) the community to celebrate the 123 years of worship and fellowship in such a beautiful country church.”