PEOPLE travelled from far and wide to be at the 100th birthday celebrations of the Uniting Church in Bendigo’s Neale Street at the weekend.
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The two-day-long celebrations attracted churchgoers from across Australia – from former ministers to multiple generations of family – all of whom had been part of the Neale Street community over the course of its long history.
The church hosted an evening concert on Saturday, where people gathered to share stories and sing songs.
A handmade centenary banner was unveiled during a special service on Sunday, which portrayed the church’s original building and its devoted following.
One visitor was new church committee member Claire Dulloo, who had just relocated from Melbourne to Bendigo.
Born and bred in Bendigo, Ms Dulloo was baptised at the same church some 20 years ago. Attending the celebrations, along with her mother and son, brought back a number of fond memories, she said.
“The celebrations were all very people-orientated.”
“We had quite a lot of visitors – the concert was a full house!”
Since returning to Bendigo, Ms Dulloo said the church had welcomed her with open arms.
“They’re just really welcoming.”