St. Augustine’s Church in Beachburg conducted its last regular Sunday service on 18th of December 2022. It was a good turn out and a potluck supper was enjoyed ahead of the Service.
Some while back when I was a Warden, I reviewed the Parish register going back quite a number of years. I wanted to graph the attendances over the years from when there was a significant congregational attendance and see if I could project future numbers. There was a steady decline and in particular , in the last few years. This has been due to people passing on, people moving away, and some folk going to other denominations. Above all though ,the unfortunate fact of the matter is that we are becoming a secular society.
It is all rather sad. Not only do we have a wonderful Minister in Matthew Brown, but St.Augustine’s itself is a beautiful little church. Commissioned in 1883, it has very attractive stain glass windows and the Church has contributed over the years to local activities. There were great Church suppers and fund raisers.
St. Augustine’s will not be closing completely, rather it will revert to what is referred to as Chapel status. This means it will conduct a maximum number of four services a year plus any weddings and funerals.
Phil Cottrell. Organist . St. Augustine’s.
