The prefabricated building, named a portable chapel when built in Wodonga in the 1950s, scraped the side of Corowa’s John Foord Bridge upon being trucked west.

The day it opened, May 28, 1967, St Andrew’s overflowed with parishioners who had previously worshipped at family homes, halls and the CWA rooms.

Now the congregation can be as low as four, but nevertheless the church’s golden anniversary will be marked by Pastor Andrew Neumann this Sunday evening.

“To minister them with God’s word and holy sacrament is always a privilege,” Mr Neumann said.

On Sundays Mr Neumann presides at Lavington’s Lutheran church before fulfilling the same role at Corowa.

Ordained 18 months ago, the former civil engineer said St Andrew’s reflected the houses of worship common in his home region, Queensland’s Darling Downs.

“It’s the sort of church I grew up with, it reminds me of my childhood,” Mr Neumann said.

Among those at St Andrew’s opening was then Rutherglen resident Elaine Miller, 72, who in April, 1968, was the first bride to wed at the church.

“It was a lively church,” she said.

“My two daughters were baptised in the church and my whole family did confirmation there.”

It cost $381.75 to shift the church from Wodonga on to the Albert Street block purchased for $1000 in 1966.