'Called to keep going': St Pauls to celebrate 160th

NOT all that long ago, St Paul’s Uniting Church in Ballan was facing a dwindling congregation and striving to remain open.

Now the historic church is preparing to mark its 160th anniversary, celebrating the success it’s had in facing down the challenges impacting many churches nationwide.

In a bright example of what’s possible, it’s found ways to remain an important part of meeting locals’ need for social connectivity and meaningful endeavour.

Church secretary Dorothy Shaw said all are welcome to help the church celebrate its 160th anniversary with a special 10am thanksgiving service, tours and morning tea on Sunday 26 April.

The event will include speakers discussing the many different things that are regularly happening at the church, its hall and grounds.

“We will be having a tour of the Community Friendship Garden, and the Men’s Shed showroom as well as morning tea in the hall,” said Shaw who, together with her husband Gary, has been a congregation member for 38 years.

St Paul’s Ballan Uniting Church chairman James Anderson with some of the historic church’s stained glass. The church is celebrating the ways in which it has been able to keep meeting the needs of today’s residents.

“We had big celebration for our 150th when we focussed on the church’s history, so for our 160th we’ve decided to really celebrate what we have now and the different groups we have using the church and our buildings and grounds,” Shaw said.

“A while ago we were in a position where we might have to close because we had so few congregation members and office bearers.

“But we had a meeting and just scraped through, and a young couple have joined us since.

“We’ve got so many people in our community who are dependent on us for what we offer here that we feel called to keep going.”

Ballan’s monthly farmer’s market, CWA group, Friendship Garden, Men’s Shed and Home Schooling Playgroup are among the groups who today call the church grounds or buildings home.

Keen gardener John Costello is co-ordinator of Ballan’s Community Friendship Garden that operates within the St Pauls Uniting Church grounds, helping connect locals with enjoyable activity while growing fresh produce to share with anyone who needs it.

Then there’s the unique dog group gatherings where dog owners regularly bring their pooches to be trained by a certified dog scent work instructor, Ballan’s Simone Daley of Dog Chewition, providing vital mental stimulation for hounds and a great social outing for owners.

Meanwhile, the regular church services continue to offer a means of meeting the pastoral and spiritual care needs of locals.

“We have a 10am service once a month, normally the second Sunday of the month and we have two regular lay worship leaders, Robyn Zanon from Blackwood and Bruce Hill from Donvale who alternate,” Shaw said.

“We also meet in the hall on the fourth Saturday of the month at 11am for our Chat and Chew sessions.”

“We’d hate to see the church ever close and be sold because we feel it’s such a valuable asset for the whole community. It’s a very friendly group.”

St Paul’s Uniting Church is at 73 Inglis St, Ballan.