Geoffery Lane, descendant of Auguste and Catherine Blampied, attended St Joseph Church’s last mass in Blampied on March 11.
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He travelled from his home in Mornington.
“It demonstrated the great community spirit that exists in country villages. The love and respect that country people have for each other,” he said.
“The sadness was very evident.
“There was a 144 years of people coming together to pray, to worship, to communicate with each other, to support and console each other in a time of need,” he said.
He recalled memories of being at school, baptisms, weddings and funerals.
Five generations of his family have been buried after a ceremony at the church.
Bishop of Ballarat, Paul Bird, celebrated the mass, as did many past students and a Presentation sister who taught at the school.
“It must have warmed his heart to see such positive feelings from the community, especially in view of the many sad and cruel things that have haunted the Ballarat Diocese in recent times,” Mr Lane said.
“It was a very sad day, however the happy memories and the wonderful spirit will always remain and inspire the people of Blampied.”