The small church of St. Brigid’s at Anakie is dear to the hearts of it’s parishoners, many of whom have worshipped there all their lives (and some of these lives are long ones)!
It is a pretty little church, built of bricks, which have been painted cream. The doors, gables and facia boards are dark brown and it has a moss-covered, grey slate roof. Roses grow beside the door.
It stands near the Ballan road almost at the junction of Staughton Vale road, in the cleft of the hills. Opposite are two pretty vineyards, which climb up the slope of Mount Anakie. Within distant view is the “castle” of Fairy Park. Behind the church are the foothills of the Brisbane Ranges, clothed in the grey-green of eucalypts.
As well as the local people who have lived near it for generations, it is treasured by the many “blow-ins” - town folk - who have moved onto small blocks in the area. They have been made welcome and they delight in the warmth and friendliness of the country people. Every parishioner who attends St. Brigid’s helps the church community in some way. Some help by going on the monthly church cleaning and flower roster; some take up the collection; others are rostered weekly to do the Readings and Prayers. Over the years many parishioners have assisted with mowing the grass around the church and doing general maintenance so that St. Brigid’s is neat and tidy.
St. Brigid’s is a small jewel, treasured by its parishioners.