The gathering last Sunday rang with the familiar images of tree ferns and Christmas bush, brolgas and drovers in a church built by pioneers in 1899 to provide an ecumenical place of worship.

Rarely heard carols, sung by a capacity congregation accompanied by organ and flute, were from composer  William James and lyricist John Wheeler and celebrated the Christmas story within an Australian setting.

The land for the picture-postcard Rydal Church was given by an Anglican and the church was built by a Methodist and a Presbyterian, so becoming the Union Church.

Today, as an inspiring example of how an ecumenical church works in practise, the building is administered by Rydal Union Church Incorporated and a retiring collection from the recent service was donated by the Friends toward the upkeep of the unique building.

A picnic supper followed the service on the picturesque Rydal Showground.