Clunes’ St Thomas of Aquinas Church is the latest in a series of church closures in regional Victoria due to a shortage of Catholic priests.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The church, which has been sold, was built for the hordes of miners who flocked to the town during the gold rush.
The foundation stone for the Roman Catholic Church was laid by Melbourne’s Right Rev. Dr Gould Bishop on March 9, 1873 to an audience of 1200 people.
The church’s parishioners are overjoyed the historical French Harmonium Organ, imported when the church opened, has been accepted by Clunes Museum for permanent display.
“We are delighted future generations will be able to view this rare, expressive French instrument,” parishioner Irene Martin said.
Parishioners will say goodbye at an afternoon tea and performance by Mary Lacono, who played the rare antique organ for the past 50 years.
The event will be held on Sunday, April 29 at 2.30pm.
Pews have been removed from the church so people are invited to bring a chair.