Past and present parishioners of Isla Bank Church (formerly St Cuthbert’s Presbyterian Church) held a thanksgiving service last Sunday, officially closing the church and paying tribute to the people who founded it.
Church parish secretary Annette Horrell said it was bittersweet that the church, built in 1929, was forced to close, but they had to move on because only a handful of people were attending and the church building was costing too much to maintain.
‘‘We had a service on Sunday afternoon to regretfully close this beautiful church.
‘‘It was a service of closure and thanksgiving as well, because so many good people have gone before us and made this building and served in the community.’’
About 100 people travelled from throughout New Zealand to attend the afternoon service, which included a tribute to the church’s first minister Revered Robert Ewen, bible readings, hymns and a closing ceremony.
Church elder and organist Ashley McCrostie said the church held a special place in her heart because she was married there over 40 years ago.
"‘I’ve spent all of my married life here and have had my children baptised and go to Sunday school here.
‘‘It’s sad to see it close but our congregation had become so small that we needed to concentrate going to another parish.’’
Church membership decreased to a dozen, which reduced the number of services to one a month. It was at that point the parish committee decided it was more practical for the remaining members to attend church at Waimatuku.
‘‘It's not like we're giving up our religion or we don’t have a place to worship.’’
The church will be put up for sale and the committee’s goal is to invest the proceeds to support the wider mission of the church. The committee hoped it would remain as a church under different ownership, Mrs McCrostie said.
