Acapacity congregation attended the final Mass at Saint’s Joseph’s Catholic Church at Kalangadoo on Sunday afternoon and reflected on 120 years of worship.


Among the 100 worshippers were six priests, Penola-based Josephite nun Sister Loreto O’Connor and Primary Industries Minister Clare Scriven.


The service was billed as a Thanksgiving Mass to give thanks to God for all blessings received and acknowledging parishioners for all services given.


The sanctuary party processed into the church to the hymn “I the Lord of Sea and Sky”.


The principal celebrant was Mount Gambier priest Father Peter Zwanns and the homily was given by Father Dean Marin, Vicar-General of the Archdiocese of Adelaide.


Many of the worshippers were past parishioners and clergy including Father Dean, Father Arul Dev Ambrose and Father Richard Morris.


Afternoon tea followed at the Riddoch Memorial Institute at Kalangadoo.


Regular services have not been held at the stone church for several years.


The foundation stone was laid by Dean Michael Ryan, of Mount Gambier, in 1904 and it was blessed and dedicated on January 22, 1905.


Among the original furnishings of the church is a marble altar gifted by the Sutton family of Dismal Swamp.


Father Peter said the church building and property would have required costly maintenance and was now being prepared for sale.


“Its sale will free up capital which can support the Penola parish in many other ways,” he said.


“I believe this is the right and responsible course of action. Nevertheless, it is a sad occasion.”


The sole church remaining at Kalangadoo is now St Alban’s Anglican Church.