Church reaches 150 years of worship

PORTARLINGTON church members will gather this weekend to recognise a significant 150-year milestone for their congregation.

St Andrew’s Uniting Church will host its celebration on the morning of Sunday, September 17, to mark opening of the East Bellarine Presbyterian Church in 1873.

The event will commemorate the varying shapes and sizes of the local church since its formation; including moving from Bellarine to Portarlington in 1888, demolition of the existing building and a new church in the early 1960s and amalgamation of Portarlington’s Methodist and Presbyterian churches in 1971.

The organisation’s history will also be subject of booklet published for this weekend’s occasion called Rejoice, Reflect, Renew compiled by Keith Pigdon, whose family’s connection to the congregations dates back to its origins.

Church member Joy Porter said the group was excited to recognise the “substantial milestone”.

“It’s really a reflection of the continuation of people being involved in both the Presbyterian Church and in the United Church for that whole 150 years, which is a very significant thing.”

The church celebrations will kick off a busy period for local organisations chalking up the significant milestone.

Portarlington Primary School will celebrate its 150-year anniversary in October, while Portarlington Football Club is also deep in preparations for its sesquicentennial season next year.

Mrs Porter said the church was pleased to share its achievement with the school and footy club, which were also foundational organisations within the Portarlington community.

“They certainly are groups that people really belong to and have a commitment to,” she said.

The Uniting Church is welcoming current congregates and people with family connections to the group to attend its 10am service and lunch to follow to recognise the event.