ANGLICAN PARISH OF WOODEND-TREntHAM

Thank you for taking an interest in Trentham, and St George’s. The first Church of

England service in Trentham was held in 1864, the year the town was surveyed.

St George’s welcomes everyone, from infants to (very) senior citizens. Its ethos is in

the Anglican ‘middle’. We listen to the Bible actively, pray deeply, appreciate the

sacraments and look for accessible services that offer ‘solid joys and lasting

treasure’.

Each Sunday at 9am, Holy Communion (Second Order) from APBA is celebrated,

with hymns from Together in Song and its Supplement: a lively morning tea follows.

Morning Prayer is each Wednesday at 9am, and on third Sunday afternoons,

Evening Prayer includes singing as a major element. Each third Friday afternoon,

Holy Communion is celebrated at Trentham Aged Care.

St George’s people and building

St George’s people come from the town and surrounding districts, and are active in

community life. We have good relations with St Mary Magdalen (Catholic) church,

and an ecumenical Good Friday procession and Christmas Carols service happens

each year. During the 2020 COVID lockdown, church members joined to ring St

George’s bell daily at noon, as a sign of God’s presence in the community. 

St George’s, at the top of High Street, is open daily for rest and prayer. Dr Gwen

Wisewould, legendary town doctor (1938-1972) is memorialised in St George’s by

the sanctuary lamp. The altar frontals, bookmarks and robes for clergy were

designed and made locally in 2016. The building, fittings, gardens and grounds are

cared for gladly by parishioners.

St George’s has been linked with St Mary’s Woodend since 1952: the parish’s two

churches are helpfully viewed as distinct congregations in communion in Christ, with

a joint Parish Executive and sharing ordained ministry. 

Looking ahead

Trentham township has been revitalised in recent years, with a surge of new

residents making a ‘tree change’: half those here now (c. 1900 residents) were not

around a decade back. Younger families are having an impact on the kindergarten,

school and culture of the district. But while 153 people ticked ‘Anglican’ in the 2021

Census, church involvement lags well behind the town’s growth.

In this changing context, how does St George’s take part in God’s mission in 3458

and beyond? That is the question we face.

These walls could speak. A history of St George’s Trentham 1864-2022 by Peta

Sherlock tells the stories of local saints, ministers and buildings. Copies ($15) are

available at St George’s, or from petasherlock@gmail.com.