Guests who were involved in the history of the church came from as far as Sydney, Orange, Wollongong and Port Macquarie as well as from the local village and surrounds to attend Saturday’s event. 

Event organiser Emma Wood said the bush dance was a highlight of the evening, which was held in the Cambewarra Public School hall.

“The stand-out of the night was the celebration aspect of the church's life and how many people have been involved with the church over it's history,” Mrs Wood said.

“The biggest stand-out was that most guests participated from all ages in the bush dancing and a great time was had by all. 

“The food was also very good and was enjoyed by everyone.”

Although the current church building is only just over 100 years old, the congregation has been meeting in Cambewarra for much longer.

Mrs Wood said guests enjoyed sharing in the history of the church.

“The historical displays were a big focal point and the paintings and pictures of Cambewarra,” she said.  

“The guests enjoyed catching up with family and people from their past involvement in the church.”

Cornish-born Zaccheus Glanville Bice, the first European to settle in the Cambewarra district when it was known as Good Dog, is credited with providing the first building for worship services, in the early 1850s.

At that time most of this region’s clergymen were based at Terara, and with no bridge over the Shoalhaven River, the first leg of their treks to Cambewarra was by using one of the punts that crossed the river downstream of Nowra which was then only a tiny village.

The current Union Church building was built by Kenneth McKenzie, a long-term local resident, though originally from Scotland.

The church, able to seat 150 worshippers, was officially opened on Wednesday, July 11, 1900.