In the presence of Bishop of Newcastle, the Rt. Rev. Greg Thompson, 70 parishioners gathered to bid a fond farewell to a much-loved part of the community, where so many baptisms, weddings and funerals have taken place over the years.

“It is sad to say goodbye to such a faithful building, which has provided a sacred space for worship and fellowship for generations and where so many memories sing out from its red cedar lining,” Cessnock parish rector Fr. James Cooper said.

“But I am happy to say that the congregation has found a new spiritual home at St Luke’s Millfield.”

After the service everyone met at St. Luke’s for afternoon tea to exchange some of those memories in stories and photographs.

The Ellalong church building will be put on the market for sale. The building had fallen into a state of disrepair and the costs of making it safe were prohibitive, Fr. Cooper said.