THE century-old St Augustine’s Anglican Church in Bushy Park will undergo deconsecration this weekend, and the community has been invited along to the ceremony.

The timber church, pictured right, was built in 1904 amongst the hop vines on donated land and at the expense of R.W.G Shoobridge, one of the Derwent Valley’s pioneering hop-growers, costing £380 to construct, which equates to around a $50,000 donation in today’s currency.

Today, the church has been listed as one of many for sale, with funds raised to cover redress for those who have suffered abuse from within the Anglican Church.

For this reason, the church will be conducting a deconsecration service, which will be held on Sunday, March 6, with all parties interested in seeing off the church, which holds memories for so many in the region, welcome to attend the ceremony.

Following the deconsecration service, anyone attending has been warmly welcomed to Glen Derwent for refreshments.

Those interested in heading along to Glen Derwent should RSVP to Rev Ellen Clark on 0408 861 185 by Friday, March 4.