THE St Stephens Anglican Church in Forrestfield-Wattle Grove held its first monthly market day for 2026 last month.

Church warden Cheryl Connolly said 11 visitors from the Peter Anderton Day Centre in Forrestfield came by for morning tea and to browse the market stalls.

“The consensus by all is that they had a fantastic time - even finding some bargains in the ladies’ fashion department - and will certainly visit us again,” Ms Connolly said.

“Market day has been held on the last Friday of the month for nearly 20 years.

“But with these changing times of low church attendance it is harder to muster the volunteers we need to keep this going.

“It requires a lot of manpower as we have to set up and pack away each month in our church hall which is part of the same building as our church.”

She said the church took December and January off each year so the monthly market day ran from February to November.

Market stalls included bric a brac, ladies’ fashions, cakes, jams, pickles, a plant stall, books, china, kitchenwares and Devonshire cream teas or coffee.

All goods were donated by parishioners or their friends.

Ms Connolly said the respite day care centres for seniors found the market days a wonderful experience.

“All funds raised are put into general revenue and help support the Kalamunda Youthcare Chaplaincy and schools in the Kalamunda area, and especially the school packs program,” Ms Connolly said.

“We have also been involved in providing school packs for needy children in local schools in the City of Kalamunda for more than 40 years.”