By PAUL MILLAR
LOCALS young and old wept in the street when an intended day of celebration turned into their Ash Wednesday as Bannockburn’s historic church went up in flames.
Residents woke to the smell of smoke on Wednesday morning when the church of St John the Evangelist was gutted the same day children were to gather for a sacrament of reconciliation.
In another cruel coincidence, a new priest was due to arrive the same day that precious religious artefacts were scorched.
Fire crews arrived at the weatherboard church on High Street about 4.15am to find it engulfed in flames.
CFA incident controller Barry Planner said fire crews spent an hour bringing the blaze under control.
“This church was over 100 years old and crews did an excellent job of containing the fire,” he said.
Four trucks from Corio, Lethbridge and Bannockburn attended.
Police declared the site an overnight crime scene, with investigators combing the ruins during the day.
Parish co-ordinator Diane Ritchie said the church was part of Bannockburn’s character.
“It’s a landmark, it’s part of the town’s history. We’ve had people here all day crying, people are really upset,” Ms Ritchie said.
“We had 22 children who were going to take the sacrament of confirmation today.
“It’s so significant. We have families that were married here, burials – the people are devastated.
“There were books, vessels, the chalice, sentimental things like statues that were donated by families, memories; hopefully all the hosts are intact.”
Churchgoers will have to attend Inverleigh’s Sacred Heart on Sunday for Mass.
Ms Richie said Bannockburn priest Herman Licayan was due to return to the Philippines on 11 November after six years at the parish.
“The new priest is due to arrive today, it’s just awful,”she said.
Demolition crews knocked down the remnants of the building on Wednesday.
