Service to honour Metricup church 90th birthday

A much loved marker point on the journey through the South West will celebrate a special birthday this month.

On Sunday May 25, the local parishioners of St John the Baptist Metricup will celebrate the church’s 90th year with the Anglican Bishop of Bunbury Ian Coutts will conduct a Holy Communion service at 10am, followed by morning tea and fellowship.

Founded in 1935, the church was built by the combined efforts of the Anglican Sisters of St Elizabeth of Hungary and Metricup, Yelverton and Treeton group settlers.

Prior to its establishment, many residents from the surrounding settlements would meet at Yelverton House for church services.

Despite facing severe physical and financial hardship through the early 1930s, members of the four group settlements – 20 and 60 at Metricup, 61 at Yelverton and 122 at Treeton – were supported by the Anglican Sisters of St Elizabeth in Margaret River to obtain £100 from the Confraternity of Divine Love in England to build a church at Metricup.

The funds assisted with the construction of the external structure, which was built by Mr Harding, while the porch, interior lining and fittings were provided by the settlers themselves.

Others involved with the establishment of the church were the Harts, Jolliffes, Worgans, Bedfords, Smiths, Stills, Byles and Simpsons families.

A dedication service was held on May 11, 1935, with sixty people in attendance.

Since then, the church building and cemetery have been carefully and lovingly maintained by local residents, and the church is also home to two organs – one donated by the Anglican sisters from Margaret River in the 1930s, and a recently donated electric instrument – to provide music for the services.

A spokesperson said the congregation had fluctuated over the years, “but we now enjoy an attendance of 15 to 25 people at our monthly services”.

“It is with thanksgiving and gratitude we remember all those who have supported and attended our church in the past and look forward to it continuing to serve the needs of the local community in the future.”

The special service will commence at 10am on Sunday May 25. All are welcome to attend.