Three significant events were acknowledged at a Millicent church on Sunday morning.
Firstly, lifelong parishioner Rose Phillips (nee Poole) marked 60 years of marriage to Arthur Phillips at St Michael and All Angels Anglican Church.
The officiating priest at their wedding in October, 1962 was Father Jim Dillon who died three years ago.
Secondly, it was 144 years to the day since Millicent Glen (nee Short) laid the foundation stone of the church.
Mrs Glen was the eldest daughter of the first Bishop of Adelaide, the Right Reverend Dr Augustus Short.
She lived at Mayura Station and the town of Millicent is named after her.
Thirdly, church law was changed in May to allow women to serve as priests at Millicent and the other Anglican churches in the Diocese of The Murray.
The first celebration of Holy Communion by a female priest took place on Sunday at St Michael’s and was led by the Reverend Alison Dutton.
She has a background as a lawyer and was ordained to the priesthood only two months ago.
Her current position is assistant curate at Victor Harbour.
Rev Dutton completed her high school education in India before graduating with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in gender studies from the University of Sydney and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of New South Wales.
