Two churches opened in one day
The small outstation Irrultja is on Utopia freehold country. Its sister community Atnwengerrp, just a few kilometres northwest, is part of the former stock route on Sandover River.
Irrultja and Atnwengerrp are predominantly Lutheran homelands. Pastor Frank Turner lives with his family at the main community of Ampilatwatja, 354 kilometres northeast of Alice Springs. From there he ministers to his people.
New church buildings for both communities were dedicated on 22 October 2022. They were built with funds from the district government. Previously the family groups held their services and singalongs in bush churches constructed with shrub and tree branches.
The people are happy that they can hold funerals and baptisms at the new churches.
Michael Jacobsen is FRM Support Worker for the Alyawarr language area.
