Bidding adieu: St Luke’s Anglican Church Dookie was recently deconsecrated by the Anglican Bishop of Wangaratta Clarence Bester.
Photo by
Julie Mercer
In a service attended by over 65 people, St Luke’s Anglican Church in Dookie, standing as a testament of faith for 120 years, was deconsecrated, marking an end to an era and the beginning of a new chapter.
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The Anglican Bishop of Wangaratta, Clarence Bester, said that since becoming Bishop in February 2020, he has had to secularize a number of churches consecrated by former bishops.
“(But) now for the first time, I’ve had to deconsecrate a church that was dedicated, set apart for the worship of the almighty God by the first Bishop of Wangaratta, Thomas Armstrong,” he said.
“This Church is very special to me and my family because this was the church — behind that altar, that prayer desk, and this pulpit — that I celebrated my first service after I arrived in Australia.”
Sombre: Bishop Clarence Bester making his way into St Luke’s Anglican Church for it’s final service.
Photo by
Julie Mercer
Di Feldtmann, a longtime parishioner of the church, gave thanks at the end of the service.
“It’s so lovely to see so many faces here today. You could be past parishioners, your family may have been members of the guild, or you may be here because you were baptised or confirmed here,” she said.
“This is a momentous historical occasion for Dookie.”
Gratitude: Parishioner Di Feldtmann shares her words of thanks during the service.
Photo by
Julie Mercer
In the face of such a significant transition, the church community has been thoughtful about preserving memories and legacies.
“It’s our wish that our altar table goes to our new Anglican school in Shepparton,” Ms Feldtmann said.
“It will be just lovely to know that it will be amongst young people, new learning, and young worship.”
She then said that the Anglicans of Dookie will continue to hold their services at St Andrew’s Uniting Church on the second Sunday of each month.
During the de-consecration ceremony, Ms Feldtmann also took the time to read out letters from past priests, providing a poignant connection to the church’s storied history.
Word of thanks: Rev'd Jerome Francis recognising parishoners Di Feldtmann and Janet Kiddle for their dedication to St Luke’s Anglican Church Dookie.
Photo by
Julie Mercer
Rev’d Jerome Francis, the priest in charge of the Anglican Parish of Shepparton, which included St Luke’s Anglican Church Dookie and still includes St Augustine’s Anglican Church, thanked the parishioners of the church.
“Thank you to Di and Janet and other people in the community who have kept things happening at this Church even though we didn’t have regular services,” he said.
“They were the face of Anglicans in this community and worked diligently for this event.”
“We thank God for the ministry and are exceptionally grateful to the Uniting Church for welcoming members of our congregation.”
As the community looks to the future while holding onto cherished memories of the past, the church now awaits a new chapter and will be put up for sale.
End of an Era: Janet Kiddle and Di Feldtmann, the last parishioners of St Luke's Anglican Church Dookie.
Photo by
Julie Mercer
Echoes of history: Parishioner Janet Kiddle delivers a reading during the service at St Luke’s Dookie.
Photo by
Julie Mercer
Farewell: Rev'd Jerome Francis, Archdeacon Neil Hicks, Janet Kiddle, Bishop Clarence Bester, Di Feldtmann and Rev'd Dr Helen Malcolm.
Photo by
Julie Mercer
Unity in faith: Rev’d David Kerr, Rev’d Barry Slatter, Rev’d Jerome Francis, Bishop Clarence Bester, Rev’d Canon Scott Jessup, Rev’d Dr Helen Malcolm and Archdecon Neil Hicks at the alter during the communion.
Photo by
Julie Mercer
Solemn times: Bishop Clarence Bester delivering the sermon to the congregation at the service.
Photo by
Julie Mercer
Sacred ground: Rev'd Scott Jessup, Bishop Clarence Bester and Archdeacon Neil Hicks standing at the alter.
Photo by
Julie Mercer
A final glow: Parishioner Janet Kiddle carries the altar candles, marking an end of an era at St Luke’s Anglican Church Dookie.
Photo by
Julie Mercer
Memories remain: The community of Dookie bid farewell to St Luke’s Anglican Church Dookie.
Photo by
Julie Mercer
