Reverend David Perryman is actively managing his mobile ministry across the Parish of Avon, located three hours east of Melbourne, on Sundays. His schedule involves alternating between visiting either a single parishioner at All Saints Briagolong or several parishioners at St Mary’s Munro, before making his way back to Stratford for the main 10 am service. With the impending sale of the Briagolong church, Reverend Perryman is exploring innovative approaches to sustain the Anglican community without relying solely on traditional church buildings.
On a Sunday morning in the quiet town of Briagolong, Reverend Perryman prepares for his 8:30 am service, bringing along readings, sheet music, a guitar, Holy Communion wine, and a single wafer biscuit. His congregation for this service typically consists of just one parishioner, underscoring the dwindling attendance at the 118-year-old All Saints Anglican church.
Bruna Robinson, who has been a devoted attendee of Sunday services at Briagolong for 28 years, appreciates the conversations she shares with Reverend Perryman, finding solace in the knowledge that someone is there to support her during life’s challenges. She reminisces about the lively days when the church was a vibrant community hub, filled with people engaging in services and social gatherings.
“There were many more attendees and greater participation within the church community. After services, we would enjoy morning tea together,” she recalled. “We organized playgroups and health sessions, creating opportunities for socializing through knitting, crocheting, or simply chatting.”
Now, however, she finds herself likely to be the last parishioner at All Saints, which has recently been designated for closure. Reverend Perryman’s Sunday routine includes two services: one at 8:30 am in either Briagolong or Munro, followed by the main service in Stratford, which is live-streamed and draws viewers from various locations, including nursing homes.
The transition from one service to the next is a hurried affair. “It’s quite a rush, and it makes it challenging to provide meaningful ministry and worship when I have to dash off afterward,” he explained. The Parish of Avon encompasses Stratford, Munro, Briagolong, and the Dargo district, which previously included the Dargo church that shut its doors in 2012.
At St Mary’s in Munro, constructed in 1922, the attendance can vary from four to seven parishioners. As these church buildings age and maintenance issues arise, Reverend Perryman and his team of volunteers face challenges such as wildlife intrusions, debris cleanup, and storm damage.
For Elizabeth Bates, who has been attending services in Munro intermittently for half a century, preserving the church is vital for maintaining the town’s legacy and identity. “The community members who built this church worked hard to establish a Christian presence here, and I want to honor that by continuing to enjoy this space,” she stated.
She added, “I deeply miss the sense of intimacy and shared worship that comes from gathering with others. Experiencing this in person is far more meaningful than online interactions. It plays a crucial role in my life, offering me strength.”
The challenge of aging and underused church buildings is prompting the Anglican church to seek creative solutions for service delivery. In light of the Briagolong church’s upcoming sale, a more casual version of the service has already been trialed at the Briagolong Community House, drawing a small group of about seven participants.
These activities range from music sessions for young children and parents to family movie nights, men’s breakfasts, fundraising events, community dinners, an annual church fete, and the Blessing of the Pets, creating low-cost opportunities for social connection within the wider community.
