Good Community Turn-Out at the Holy Innocents Church
A rainbow in the clouds was a beautiful reminder of God’s love for mankind as locals and visitors gathered at Holy Innocents Church, Yinnar South for the first service there of 2025.
The service was held to commemorate both the church’s namesake, the ‘holy innocents’ (that is, the children two years and under) massacred by King Herod in his attempt to execute the Baby Jesus, as well as to discuss the future of the historic church and its importance to the Yinnar South community, and hear locals’ thoughts on what they would like done with the building.
The service, organised by Reverend Bec Hayman, was very simple. The pews had been placed along the walls so everyone could see one another. ‘Amazing Grace’ was sung and it was moving to think of all the congregations in the past who had sung that very song in that very church. A bible reading from the gospel of Matthew, telling of Jesus’ birth and Herod’s cruel acts that followed, was read aloud. Instead of a sermon, attendees shared various thoughts on the reading, touching on hard questions like why suffering exists when God is good. Bec finished the little service with a prayer. Then, going around the circle, everyone introduced themselves and shared why they had come that morning. Some shared that they had come for the church service and to worship God, some had come because of their interest in historical churches, some because they had heard the church was going to be moved and were against it, and three of the men said, ‘Because my wife made me’!
After a break for morning tea, various ideas for the future of the church were discussed. There was strong community feeling that the church should stay in its current position on Middle Creek Rd and not be moved into Yinnar, which had been an alternative idea put forth as an option to enable easier building maintenance. The possibilty of a mid-week Bible study was raised, but only a couple of people were interested; however, everyone was in agreement that they would like to have a service there every fifth Sunday in months containing five Sundays, with most locals leaning towards more relaxed, informal services. Visitors commented they felt welcomed there and would like to come again. Attendee Carol Iverach said it was good to see the place getting more use. She commented, “Without people, a church is just an empty building.”
The service was advertised on Facebook and in the Churchill News to help spread awareness that it was on. The church was open prior to the service for people to come in and have a look around. In total, 24 people stayed for the service, an impressive level of attendance for a building described by the Morwell Advertiser in 1936 as “having a seating capacity for approximately 25 people”. The church has also been fitted with a keypad access to make it available as a place of prayer or quiet reflection for anyone at any time, though those wishing to do so should first phone Bec to request the access code.