Christ Church Mount Gambier hosted an evening of carols and culture recently.

Almost 300 people gathered in the church and adjacent hall to listen to readings about the birth of Jesus read by religious leaders and representatives of the different ethnic communities who call Mount Gambier home.

Mount Gambier Mayor Lynette Martin attended and gave one of the readings.

A variety of carols and Christmas songs were also sung from original and new communities residing in the city.

Performers came from local schools Tenison Woods College and St Martin’s, local groups such as Phoenix, singers of German heritage, from Sri Lanka and a variety of African countries including Nigeria and South Africa.

Traditional carols were also sung by the entire congregation.

Throughout the evening the church children re-enacted the story of the birth of Jesus.

Christ Church Rector Father Neil Fernando said he was delighted with such a good attendance.

“The purpose of the service was to get the message out the Christmas season was not about Santa Claus and presents but had a deeper meaning- the birth of Jesus,” he said.

In thanking the participants Church Warden Sandy Coulson said that Mount Gambier had become home for people seeking a safe haven from war and persecution since the 1840s.

A collection was taken during the service with $500 being presented to the Mayor’s Christmas Appeal and $500 to the local branch of the Red Cross to help Australians affected by the current floods.