‘Eventful and emotional week’: Church’s tribute to mushroom murder victims

Parishioners have gathered at Korumburra Baptist Church on Sunday – the first since Erin Patterson was found guilty of murdering three of their members, and attempted to murder pastor Ian Wilkinson.

Parishioners have gathered at Korumburra Baptist Church on Sunday – the first since Erin Patterson was found guilty of murdering three of their members, and attempted to murder pastor Ian Wilkinson.

Churchgoers paid special tribute to Don and Gail Patterson and Heather Wilkinson, who were cruelly murdered by Patterson with a beef wellington laced with toxic death cap mushrooms, following an “eventful and emotional week”.

Dozens of parishioners braved howling winds and chilling temperatures to attend the service at 10.30am.

There were few empty seats along the padded wooden benches, as church leaders led the congregation in prayers and songs, including a touching message on overcoming hardships and loss.

Ian Wilkinson attended court every day of the trial but was not there for the verdicts and did not attend church today. Picture: David Crosling

The graves of Don and Gail Patterson and Heather Wilkinson in Korumburra General Cemetery. Picture: Ian Currie

But Ian Wilkinson – the only victim to survive the deadly mushroom lunch – and Patterson’s estranged husband Simon were noticeably absent.

Specific reference was made to Don, Gail and Heather by church representative Pam Atkinson, who dedicated the final hymn of the morning, O God Beyond All Praising, to Heather.

A message on the church noticeboard the day of the verdict. Picture: Diego Fedele

Other speakers were less overt in referencing the high-profile trial that has captivated the world for the past 11 weeks, dedicating hymns and bible passages to those the church “had recently lost”.

Media gathered for the service were welcomed inside and offered homemade yoyo biscuits and cups of coffee.