Three hundred people were present in September, 1946 when a commemorative tablet was unveiled at the mass tree in Wahgunyah, and 73 years later a congregation of nearly the same size came together to mark a special anniversary at the site.
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Mass was first said in the town in 1869 at that red gum, and 150 years on, Father Brian Carey lead the community in prayer.
"It's said to be over 600 years old, maybe it is the oldest tree here ... and we pray it will be here for many years to come," he said.
"What we're celebrating today - a monument, yes, but a living monument, something which has the power to draw people.
"They come and reflect not only on the beauty of nature, but also how nature does reflect the creator."
Father Carey made mention of Margaret Mary Burrows, who is noted on the plaque, and later drowned in Sunday Creek.
"After Margaret sadly died, the tree was tended by her husband, who watered it, protected it and nurtured it," he said.
"Be mindful of him today also."
Present at the event were Luke Morrissey and his brother Adam, who are great, great, great grand-sons of Margaret Burrows.
They read a poem titled 'Wahgunyah's Mass Tree', written by M. Riches of Mulwala and published in the Corowa Free Press in 1947.
Mr Morrissey said his mother brought them to the tree from Melbourne many times.
"I only know her as Pauline Morrissey, but she was Pauline Nagle and as a 10-year-old, in 1946 she unveiled the plaque on the mass tree," he said.
"She was a great, great granddaughter of Margaret Burrows, who prepared the alter for the first mass here.
"She had a newspaper article about it and we've visited the mass tree a few times over the years.
"Reading the poem over the last few days, and seeing all the people here and the history of the occasion, it's become real."
IN OTHER NEWS:
The 150th anniversary of the first mass was coupled with recognition of Indigo Council's efforts in using a 25-tonne crane to move the commemorative rock and plaque to a site closer to the tree.
Mayor Bernard Gaffney spoke towards the end of the hour-long ceremony.
"Back in 1869 when the people from around this region came to mass, they were full of love, faith, hope and, charity, and I don't think anything's changed in 2019," he said.
"Anytime you feel a bit low, I think you can come to this very special tree, as I'm sure it will make you stronger."
