60 years at St. Columb's (1960 - 2020)
Judy Grimmer (Member) reflects on 60 years of worship and friendship at St. Columb's Hawthorn.
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
Ecclesiastes 3:1
This describes my years at St Columb’s. There have been both ups and downs and lots of love, laughter and tears in between.
The Early Years
The 60s and 70s were a time of traditional Anglicanism. Numbers were stable and there were services at 8, 11 and 7 o’clock each Sunday. There was the Book of Common Prayer, kneeling for prayers and traditional hymns sung with organ accompaniment. The liturgical year was followed and the name of the Sunday within the cycle was displayed on the HYMNS and PSALMS board at the front of the church. There was an excellent choir that sang at both morning and evening services and there was an anthem each week. Sunday School was separate from Church times and began at 10, with a class for each year level. In fact, Sunday School required prospective teachers to apply and there was no certainty that you would be accepted. A recording of pealing bells played over a loud speaker 5 minutes before services began and the old bell outside the vestry was rung as well, so there was no excuse for being late.
During the week there was CEBS (Church of England Boys Society) for boys and GFS (Girl’s Friendly Society) for girls. There were even dances in the old hall in the 60s. There was hymn singing in the vicarage after Evensong and Group 25 for the twenty-somethings who met for social activities like progressive dinners. There were church fetes and the doors onto Burwood Road were opened for the once a year event.
I loved the formalism and the language of the liturgy and the familiarity of Sunday worship. But as Bob Dylan says “The times they are a changing”…….
The Lean Years
Like many churches in Melbourne attendance steadily declined during the 80s and 90s. There were many reasons but suffice to say it became an ongoing struggle to keep the church viable. At Vestry it seemed as if we were counting the days before it would be necessary to close the church. Land was sold to keep the doors open. It was a very stressful time for the small numbers who attended services. Evensong was discontinued and there were not enough children to consider a Sunday School. For those of us left it was all hands on deck. There was an unwritten understanding that we would try to be at church if at all possible to keep the numbers up. Even the least talented of us attempted flower arranging, handed out hymn books, read lessons and made tea. Although it was tough there was a unity that kept us going in the face of adversity.
Renewal
Winds of change eventually blew new life into the parish. A succession of vicars with new ideas and enthusiasm saw an energised church emerge. Worship became less formal. Gone were the clergy robes and sermons from the pulpit. No more kneeling for prayers and communion at the communion rail. Modern music replaced the old, well remembered hymns. It was hard for me to move away from the traditions that were so familiar to me, but our church needed to change to move towards and into the 21st century.
A new kitchen was built in the small hall and the old outdoor toilets were replaced and brought indoors. There was carpet on the floor and we now had a welcoming community space for parish activities. At least tea making was unchanged. The large teapots from the 60s were still in use until teabags replaced them.
The biggest change was the composition of the congregation. It seemed that almost overnight we became a family-oriented church. Sunday School was back, a vibrant youth group developed, small groups established and an infectious optimism for those of us who had been through the tough times.
Even more change was to come - pews removed and chairs added, a kitchen built at the back of the church, a cricket ministry in the old hall, a cafe started, a playgroup programme developed, landscaping and new access from Burwood Road.
For me the opportunities to form close ties with my church family has been a highlight of those years. I particularly enjoyed the weekly dinners held at a variety of Glenferrie Rd eating establishments and the home groups I have been part of.
Consolidation
We are in a new cycle of our church’s journey. No doubt things will continue to evolve to meet the changes in society and financial circumstance. I wish her good luck, good fortune and continuing faith in the message of salvation.
Hind Sight is a Wonderful Thing………….
And now here I am in 2020. I look back at the faithful saints who have worshipped in this building and I am grateful for them. I remember all the vicars from 1960 to now who have unwaveringly upheld the bible tradition of this church. I remember the families who made the church tick in the early days. I remember the organists and choir masters who created such amazing music and the choir that sang so beautifully in four-part harmony. I remember the organ when it was in full voice, (it is more like a cranky old lady these days requiring endless TLC.) I remember the Sunday School picnics to Edithvale in vey politically incorrect furniture vans. I remember the fun we had in Group 25. I remember my wedding in the church and the weddings of my daughters here as well. I remember the funerals of my mother and father and the comfort and support I was freely offered. I remember the curates who learnt about faithful service from committed mentors. I remember dear friends who struggled valiantly with illness who were witnesses of faith to us all. I remember taking GFS groups and teaching Sunday School, being part of welcome teams and Vestry, singing in the Choir for 9 Lessons and Carols and doing bible readings and children’s talks in church. St Columb’s has been part of my life since I arrived all those years ago.