In 2019 this church celebrated its centenary, now it’s being sold off

In 1919 people flocked to celebrate mass at the ‘church on the hill’, 100 years later low attendance will force the owners to sell the holy building

Fr Rod MacGinley speaks at the Sacred Heart Church, Deuchar, 100th anniversary.

For more than 100 years residents have celebrated mass at the small Deuchar church between Allora and Warwick, but they will need to find somewhere else with the historic property soon to be listed for sale.

Just over two years ago the community came together to celebrate the centenary of the white-brick church, but dwindling numbers and upkeep costs have taken their toll.

Father Rod MacGinley, who has taken mass at the Deuchar church for more than a decade , said the community felt a deep sadness when mass was celebrated for the last time on Saturday.

“As a priest in the area, there is sadness that after 102 years, there is a changing of circumstances,” he said.

Fr MacGinley said he believed attendance numbers had dropped off because of the “distance and roads”.

“People no longer have to take a horse and dray,” Fr MacGinley said.

“Cars are better and roads are better – people can go into Warwick.”

Fr Rod MacGinley unveiled a plaque at the Sacred Heart Church, Deuchar in its 100th anniversary.

Fr MacGinley said he felt the same sense of sadness when his family’s farm had to be sold off but believed there was no choice but to put the church on the market.

“We can’t care for it the way we want to care for it,” he said.

Wheatvale resident Ian Bradfield, who has been attending church on and off for most of his life agreed, he said he believed the upkeep of the building was too expensive.

“The money isn’t there,” Mr Bradfield said.

“Some years ago we had to do some paintwork and because it was so high up, it doesn’t take long to spend $10,000.”

Mr Bradfield said the land was donated by families from the Southern Downs rather than funded from the Catholic Church.

While Mr Bradfield said it was sad to see younger Australians turning away from the church, he hoped the new owner would acknowledge the site’s spiritual significance and operate it as a wedding venue.

“It’s a standout location,” he said.

“Over the years people on the trains that come by have commented on the church.

“Whether it be the train-driver or the guard, they’d inquire about having a wedding at the church on the hill.”

Mr Bradfield said he will always look back on the church on the hill with fond memories.

“(There’s) always a beautiful cup of tea and plenty of food after mass – it creates community spirit” he said.

The church in Deuchar drew a crowd for its last mass (Supplied: MaryLou Gittins).