THE congregation of the Wauchope Seventh-day Adventist church said farewell to their church complex on Hastings Street in April.
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The property has been sold and the congregation now has the 40 week wait while their new premises are built in King Creek.
The church has a rich history and it holds many memories. It has witnessed many people consecrate their lives to God; some have publicly declared that consecration through baptism.
Young couples been have married in this building, babies have been dedicated and many have been farewelled.
Children have learned to play an instrument, sing or speak in public, as they have been given the opportunity to take part in the worship programs. Friendships have started and flourished. Health and cooking programs have been held. Bible classes taught, sermons preached, Business meetings conducted, social programs run.
Some of the many young people who grew up in this church are still part of the current congregation, with their own children growing up in the same church family. Grandparents, parents and grandchildren all worshipping together on a Sabbath Morning.
In 1920's there were two Adventist groups worshiping in the Hastings valley each Sabbath. The Patrick, Everett and Rosendahl families formed a small company in Pappinbarra whilst the Allum, Burns and Hansford families met in Wauchope. Occasionally, despite the poor roads and long distances between them, the two groups joined together.
In 1926 a church company was formed in Wauchope meeting in various rented premises. There was a long period of waiting and planning for a church building. Each family gave sacrificially to raise the funds to build. Joe and Lil Patrick had put aside a stand of timber on their Pappinbarra property, the sale of which which would go toward the project.
The new church, which was located in Cameron Street, was opened on Sabbath 4th August 1962.
Due to the low level of the Cameron St block, the threat of flooding became an issue so it was decided that another position in the town might be better and the search started for a new block.
In September 1972 the church building and church hall were relocated to its current position. The congregation numbers have fluctuated over the past 40 years, but recently with attendance numbers exceeding the seating capacity of the church building, the hard decision to say goodbye to the Hastings facilities was made.