Closure of quaint church is a ‘sad’ sign of the times

After more than 100 years of worship and services, the St Thomas Anglican Church in Thomson Brook, near Donnybrook, will close its doors this weekend.

On Saturday the church will be deconsecrated by a minister and put up for sale by the Anglican Church.

For many people in the community it holds special memories, but for one resident in particular it has been part of her life since she was born.

Donnybrook resident Deborah Scoullar was christened at the church in 1948, confirmed not long after and married there in 1970, despite a wild storm which made headlines.

On Monday June 29, 1970,'''' The West Australian reported “boisterous weekend weather” which delayed their wedding.

Mrs Scoullar’s husband-to-be Keith had to be rescued after trees trapped him down the road, but it didn’t end there.

After the wedding, Donnybrook was without power and the couple’s wedding reception was held in candlelight.

“We lived on the farm across the paddock and I remember coming here every Sunday for church, it was a huge part of my life,” she said.

“My grandfather laid the floorboards when the church was being built and I remember coming here to mix with the farming community.

“I can’t imagine it not being used as a church.”

Donnybrook man John Thomson’s grandfather started building the church in 1907, with a kiln on-site to fire the bricks.

Mr Thomson said the world had a different view of religion today and this contributed to the church not being used for more than 18 months.

Ian Kemp and Sue Radford were married at the church seven years ago and Mr Kemp is the warden of the church.

The pair dedicated a lot of time to the church and said it was sad to see it up for sale.

Mrs Radford said it was no longer viable to keep maintaining the church when it was not being used.

“I was the warden of the church before Ian and we have tried to encourage people to come down here, but people don’t attend church like they use to,” she said.