St Margaret’s Uniting Church in Hackett is set to celebrate 60 years since the first worship service of the new congregation of the still un-named Presbyterian Church was held on 2 February 1964 at Watson Primary School. The service was attended by 106 adults and 87 children and what was to become St Margaret’s Uniting Church was born.

Located at the Hackett corner of the Antill Street and Phillip Avenue “holy roundabout”, the church shares its site with Holy Cross Anglican Church and is directly opposite Holy Rosary Catholic Church in neighbouring Watson.

Longtime member of the St Margaret’s congregation, Brian Rope, first joined the flock in 1970 when he lived in Hackett and, after moving around in the 1990s, has been actively involved ever since.

Brian writes that over the years, St Margaret’s has initiated various very successful, important and mostly ongoing community programs, including a weekly fellowship group, a monthly luncheon group, a monthly ‘Fork and Talk’ dinner gathering, the weekly ‘Stepping Stones for Life’ music and art group, Meg’s Toybox (a toy lending library now run by a community group with the church’s continued involvement) and Ross Walker Lodge (a group house for people with disabilities).

On Sunday 4 February, St Margaret’s will celebrate its 60th anniversary with a special worship service at 10.30am followed by a luncheon. All are welcome to attend the Sunday events.

During the worship service, the closure of the Ministry of Pastor Amy Junor will be marked, new Pastor Julie Connah will be commissioned by Canberra Region Presbytery Co-Chair Janet Kay, and Presbytery Minister (Wellbeing) Rev Liz McMillan will preach.

At the luncheon, there will be a historical display of banners created by church members over the years and projected historical photographs of church events and members. The first Minister of the St Margaret’s congregation, Rev Don Erickson, who is a current member of the congregation, will be among the guest speakers.

According to Brian, the people who have comprised the St Margaret’s community over the years have been many. At the start they primarily resided in the suburbs of Hackett, Watson and Downer. Now, many live in suburbs of Belconnen, but still have a great sense of belonging to a community. Many past members have moved elsewhere, but frequently have retained a strong connection.

“It’s a most important community for me – so many friends there,” Brian says.

For more information, visit stmargs.unitingchurch.org.au or find St Margaret’s Uniting Church Hackett ACT on Facebook.