Document, Rev.Michael Clarke was a Primitive Methodist Minister who was stationed at Castlemaine, Campbell's Creek, and Eaglehawk during the 1850's and 1860's, and one of his sons married into the Avery family of Bendigo. Letter offering Tin Trunk to BHS. Tin Trunk in shipping container 20.1.2022Ian Clarkereligions, christian, primitive methodist

Copy of a photograph of the headstone of Rev.Michael Clarke who was a Primitive Methodist Minister who was stationed at Castlemaine, Campbell's Creek, and Eaglehawk during the 1850s and 1860s, and one of his sons married into the Avery family of Bendigo. Buried at Melbourne General Cemetery. Tin Trunk in shipping container 20.1.2022Ian Clarkereligions, christian, primitive methodist

Primitive Methodist Sunday School Union. Scholars' examination junior division. This is to certify that Elizabeth Hall of Eaglehawk school passed the half-yearly examination in scripture lessons for May and June 1884, subject: Moses and Exodus. Signed by board of examiners and dated Melbourne August 24th, 1884bendigo, church, primitive methodist

A small black self patterned leatherette softcover book, The Primitive Methodist Hymnal with Supplement. The title is written at the top of the spine in gold lettering. There is an Index to the Hymns, and Index to the Authors and Translators, an Index to the First Lines of Verses, an Index of Scripture Texts followed by the Hymnal Supplement. 486 Pp. Supplement 150 Pp.non-fictionThis hymnal is compiled by A Committee appointed by the Conference of 1882. It is the fourth published for congregational worship in the Primitive Methodist community. religious books, hymnals, churches

Morning Star Tent was formed in Clunes 27 June 1865 and was still operating in August 1902. Tent No.28 was located at the Primitive Methodist Schoolroom and the secretary was Thos. Williams.1 Oval rubber stamp with tent emblem .2 A4 sheet with typed provenance by Catherine Jenkins.1 Morning Star Tent, No. 28 V.D. 82 8 U rechabite, morning star tent, 1865

‘Eltham Primitive Methodist Sabbath School Presented to William Shillinglaw as his share of the W Thompsons Special Prize For Second best attendance at Sabbath School Equally divided between him and his sister Carrie Sept. 13th 1886’

2nd Edition. One of five items relating to the Shillinglaw Family collectionThe book was presented in 1886 to Caroline Shillinglaw. This family were pioneer settlers in the Eltham area.HardcoverThree separate inscriptions on flyleaf: Eltham Primitive Methodist Sabbath School - Presented to Caroline Shillinglaw Sept 13th 1886 written in red ink with horizontal lines through it. Guy Rewell, 15 Luck St. Elhtam Ann Bullen Rm 201shillinglaw family collection

Black embossed leather covered bible with a metal fastening and gilt text. The end papers are brown marbled paper. The bible includes monochrome plates and coloured maps. There is a handwritten dedication label stuck inside the front cover signed by the Minister and Steward."Presented to Mr and Mrs A. G. Youngs by the members and friends of the Primitive Methodist Church Moonee Ponds Victoria as an expression of affectionate esteem and earnest good wishes on the occasion of their departure for England, August 1894. H. Bride Barker Minister William Halling Steward"primitive methodist church moonee ponds

Book published before 1886 by The Religious Tract Society [England] including short stories with a religious theme and fine pencil illustrations. One of five items relating to the Shillinglaw Family collectionThe book was presented in 1886 to Caroline Shillinglaw, daughter of pioneer settlers in the Eltham area.Hardcover[written on loose flyleaf] Eltham Primitive Methodist Sabbath School - Presented to Caroline Shillinglaw as her share of Mr(?) Thompson's Special Prize for 2nd best attendance at Sabbath School, equally divided between her and her brother Willie, Sept 13th 1886shillinglaw family collection, religious stories

Reverend Alfred Madsen was a Methodist minister who was born in Maryborough in 1864 and died in 1930. He served in Ballarat and President and Secretary of the Primitive Methodist Conference before Union as well as Secretary of the United Methodist Church in 1916, and President of the Conference in 1917. He was minister of Mt. Erica Methodist Church in Prahran at the time of his death. He was Grand Master of the Loyal Orange Lodge.B & W head and shoulders studio portrait of the Rev. Alfred MadsenRev A Madsenrev alfred madsen, primitive methodist, minister

Wooden giving box covered with lacquered paper labels. "Please Help the Home Mission" hand written on the base. The labels read: Top: "Juvenile Auxiliary". Front: "Primitive Methodist Home and Foreign Missions". Side 1: "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved". Side 2: "Peace on Earth. Goodwill Towards Men".primitve methodist home & foreign missions

Rev. F. Charles Bremer (1886 - 1974). Born in Ballarat. Member of the Primitive Methodist Church in Eyre St. Ballarat. Entered the Methodist ministry in 1912. Married Margaret Webb (1886 - 1946) in 1916. Appointments included Hawthorn, Stawell, Preston and Devonport. Methodist Chaplain in the A.I.F., Methodist Chaplain at the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital. Home Missions 1953 - 1964. Retired to live with his daughter in the U.K.B & W snapshot of the Rev. F. Charles Bremmer dressed in his uniform as a military chaplain, standing in a garden with his wife Mrs Margaret Bremer.rev f. charles bremer, primitive methodist, minister, methodist, chaplain, home missions, margaret webb.

Rev. F. Charles Bremer (1886 - 1974). Born in Ballarat. Member of the Primitive Methodist Church in Eyre St. Ballarat. Entered the Methodist ministry in 1912. Married Margaret Webb (1886 - 1946) in 1916. Appointments included Hawthorn, Stawell, Preston and Devonport. Methodist Chaplain in the A.I.F., Methodist Chaplain at the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital. Home Missions 1953 - 1964. Retired to live with his daughter in the U.K.B & W snapshot of the Rev. F. Charles Bremmer dressed in his uniform as a military chaplain, standing in a garden.rev f. charles bremer, primitive methodist, minister, methodist, chaplain, home missions, margaret webb.

Rev. F. Charles Bremer (1886 - 1974). Born in Ballarat. Member of the Primitive Methodist Church in Eyre St. Ballarat. Entered the Methodist ministry in 1912. Married Margaret Webb (1886 - 1946) in 1916. Appointments included Hawthorn, Stawell, Preston and Devonport. Methodist Chaplain in the A.I.F., Methodist Chaplain at the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital. Home Missions 1953 - 1964. Retired to live with his daughter in the U.K.Informal B & W snapshot of the Rev. F. Charles Bremmer dressed in his uniform as a military chaplain, standing in a garden.rev f. charles bremer, primitive methodist, minister, methodist, chaplain, home missions, margaret webb.

Rev. F. Charles Bremer (1886 - 1974). Born in Ballarat. Member of the Primitive Methodist Church in Eyre St. Ballarat. Entered the Methodist ministry in 1912. Married Margaret Webb (1886 - 1946) in 1916. Appointments included Hawthorn, Stawell, Preston and Devonport. Methodist Chaplain in the A.I.F., Methodist Chaplain at the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital. Home Missions 1953 - 1964. Retired to live with his daughter in the U.K.Oval inset B & W photograph of the Rev. F. Charles Bremmer, dressed in clerical collar and suit, seated in a cane garden chair.rev f. charles bremer, primitive methodist, minister, methodist, chaplain, home missions, margaret webb.

Rev. F. Charles Bremer (1886 - 1974). Born in Ballarat. Member of the Primitive Methodist Church in Eyre St. Ballarat. Entered the Methodist ministry in 1912. Married Margaret Webb (1886 - 1946) in 1916. Appointments included Hawthorn, Stawell, Preston and Devonport. Methodist Chaplain in the A.I.F., Methodist Chaplain at the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital. Home Missions 1953 - 1964. Retired to live with his daughter in the U.K.Informal B & W photograph of the Rev. F. Charles Bremmer, dressed in clerical collar and suit, standing in a garden.rev f. charles bremer, primitive methodist, minister, methodist, chaplain, home missions, margaret webb.

Rev. F. Charles Bremer (1886 - 1974). Born in Ballarat. Member of the Primitive Methodist Church in Eyre St. Ballarat. Entered the Methodist ministry in 1912. Married Margaret Webb (1886 - 1946) in 1916. Appointments included Hawthorn, Stawell, Preston and Devonport. Methodist Chaplain in the A.I.F., Methodist Chaplain at the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital. Home Missions 1953 - 1964. Retired to live with his daughter in the U.K.B & W photograph of the Rev. F. Charles Bremmer, dressed in clerical collar and suit, sitting at a desk.rev f. charles bremer, primitive methodist, minister, methodist, chaplain, home missions, margaret webb.

BHS research - Albert Ernest Pittock Coachbuilder and Wheelwright detailing A.E. Pittock's toolbox and contents * Newspaper clippings celebrating wedding of Mr. A.E. and Mrs. A.H. (Rowe) Pittock, married on 18 July 1900 * map, Joyce's Creek, Newstead * 1903 - 1925 electoral roll details for A.E. Pittock * A. E. Pittock timeline * Death notice for A.E. Pittock on 24 April 1953 * Photo of buriel site of both A.E. & A.H. Pittock * Primitive Methodist Sabbath School 1 Nov. 1887BHS research

Primitive Methodism was seen to originate in a full day of prayer or "Camp Meeting" held at Mow Cop in 1807, and this led, in 1811, to two groups joining together; the 'Camp Meeting Methodists' and the 'Clowesites', led by Hugh Bourne and William Clowes respectively.Commemorative plate in Royal Semi-Porcelain by Wood and Sons of Burslem, Staffordshire, issued in 1907, to mark the centenary of the Primitive Methodists' first camp meeting, held at Mow Cop on 31 May 1807. The plate is decorated with transfer prints, heightened with gold lustre, depicting preachers Hugh Bourne and William Clowes together with notable chapels of the movement, all to be found in "the Potteries". The reverse printed with details of the movement's membership beneath the title, "What God Hath Wrought!", this all enclosed within a scrolled cartouche below which is the Registration No.491901 together with the Maker's Mark. primitive methodist centenary, hugh bourne, william clowes

Collection of photographs of various Bendigo church buildings with Cornish connections: a. front of simple (Methodist) wooden church with handwritten annotation of ''Webster St'' together with typewritten attachment to photo giving some of history of Methodism and the Cornish (and the four sects represented in Bendigo); b. Photo of interior of Chapel Street Gospel Hall (Mission Hall) decorated for Sunday School Anniversary (no date); c. three photos - Former Wesleyan Church, Kangaroo Flat; the former Primitive Methodist Church, Eaglehawk; former Bible Christian Church , California Gully (''now St Judes Anglican'' - typewritten attachment to photo).photograph, building, church, john wesley. united methodist free church. wesleyan mission hall. bible christian church. uniting church.

Rev. F. Charles Bremer (1886 - 1974). Born in Ballarat. Member of the Primitive Methodist Church in Eyre St. Ballarat. Entered the Methodist ministry in 1912. Married Margaret Webb (1886 - 1946) in 1916. Appointments included Hawthorn, Stawell, Preston and Devonport. Methodist Chaplain in the A.I.F., Methodist Chaplain at the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital. Home Missions 1953 - 1964. Retired to live with his daughter in the U.K. Alfred John Bremer (1893 - 1919) Bank clerk. Contracted anterior poliomyelitis whilst on active service. Died on home leave 1919.Sepia studio portrait of Rev. Frederick Charles Bremmer with his brother Alfred John Bremmer, both dressed in military uniform.rev f. charles bremer, primitive methodist, minister, methodist, chaplain, home missions, margaret webb., alfred john bremer

James Rogers was born in Wallaroo, South Australia, but came to Sailor's Gully, Eaglehawk with his family as an infant. He was converted in a Salvation Army meeting at Bendigo. He became a member of the Primitive Methodist Church at Eaglehawk. He was stationed at: 1888 Murtoa; 1889 Hamilton; 1892 Melbourne, Collingwood; 1892 Beaconsfield; 1894 Penguin; 1900 Castlemaine; 1905 Dimboola; 1909 Geelong, Yarra St.; 1913 Kilcunda & Powlett River; 1917 Kyabram; 1920 North Melbourne; 1923 Brighton; 1928 Prahran; 1932 Supernumerary Hawthorn. Gaol Chaplain 1909 - 1912; Hospital Chaplain 1935 - 1936Died 2nd September 1937 Agnes Rogers (nee Caldwell) was born in 1867, married James Rogers in 1892 and died in 1951.B & W studio portrait of Rev James Rogers and Mrs Agnes Rogers (nee Caldwell)james rogers, agnes rogers, agnes caldwell, methodist, primitive methodist, eaglehawk, minister

James Rogers was born in Wallaroo, South Australia, but came to Sailor's Gully, Eaglehawk with his family as an infant. He was converted in a Salvation Army meeting at Bendigo. He became a member of the Primitive Methodist Church at Eaglehawk. He was stationed at: 1888 Murtoa; 1889 Hamilton; 1892 Melbourne, Collingwood; 1892 Beaconsfield; 1894 Penguin; 1900 Castlemaine; 1905 Dimboola; 1909 Geelong, Yarra St.; 1913 Kilcunda & Powlett River; 1917 Kyabram; 1920 North Melbourne; 1923 Brighton; 1928 Prahran; 1932 Supernumerary Hawthorn. Gaol Chaplain 1909 - 1912; Hospital Chaplain 1935 - 1936Died 2nd September 1937 Agnes Rogers (nee Caldwell) was born in 1867, married James Rogers in 1892 and died in 1951. The children in the photograph are: James Stanley (born 1893), John David (born 1895), Agnes Pricilla (born 1897), Robert Leslie (born 1899), Jean (born 1900), Ethel Margaret (born 1903), Amelia Florence (born 1905) Lois Susan and Ella (twins born 1908).B & W studio photograph of Rev James Rogers, Mrs Agnes Rogers (nee Caldwell) and their children. The images of two men in uniform (presumably absent overseas) have been superimposed on the photograph to complete the family group. james rogers, agnes rogers, agnes caldwell, methodist, primitive methodist, eaglehawk, minister, first world war

The inaugural service of the Eaglehawk Methodist Church, 6 Feb 1977. In September 1863 the foundation stone of the Eaglehawk Wesleyan Church was laid. The building was enlarged and completed in 1869. In March 1865 the Eaglehawk Primitive Methodist Church was opened. These two churches later known as the West and East Methodist Churches served Eaglehawk until December 31st 1976. On that day both churches ceased to exist, and on Sunday 2nd January 1977 the first service of a new church was held. Although using the property and buildings of the former West Methodist, the new church is now called the Eaglehawk Methodist Church. This church will have a short history, as it too will cease to exist in mid 1977 when it will close its' doors to reopen as the Uniting Church of Australia, a church formed from the present Methodist and Presbyterian Churches. The Inaugural Service of the new church was held on Sunday 6th February 1977. Enclosed is the order of service. Appropriately enough all hymns were of the pen of Charles Wesley with the exception of 784 which is a German hymn translated buy the founder of Methodism John Wesley.

Eltham's original Wesleyan Methodist Church Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p97 The pretty Uniting Church building at the corner of John and Main Roads Eltham has served the community since 1881.1 Originally called the Eltham Wesleyan Church, the church became the Eltham Methodist Church in 1902, the year it united with the Primitive Methodists.2 As the church community developed, influencing and being influenced by the wider community, its buildings changed accordingly. Eltham Wesleyans first worshiped together in 1850 at the home of William and Mary Crozier on 24 acres (9.7ha) bounded by Mount Pleasant Road and Pitt Street. From 1855 the Wesleyans worshipped in a slab-and-bark hut; then in 1858 in a chapel on Henry Street close to Maria Street (now Main Road). Meanwhile, in 1860, the Primitive Methodists opened a brick chapel at the corner of Susan and Bridge Streets. The John Street building – in the Early English Gothic style with biochrome brick window frames, buttress heads and pinnacle – was designed by architects Crouch and Wilson. Church member George Stebbing built the church as he did Eltham’s St Margaret’s Anglican Church and Shillinglaw Cottage. The Church Honour Roll is a poignant reminder of how church members have served the wider community: 27 members enlisted and 11 died in World War One. Despite the Great Depression, 1931 was a time of expansion for the church. Its red-brick hall was opened by prominent Methodist and philanthropist F J Cato of the Moran and Cato Grocery chain. The hall enabled the church to attract people from outside through activities like its gymnasium – with 40 boys and youth participating – and the girls’ callisthenics club, which competed at the Ballarat South Street Competitions. The church also held concerts, bazaars, picnics and sports, with badminton and tennis played on the church court at 23 John Street. Two stained-glass windows commemorate tragic events. A dove representing the Holy Spirit and Comforter marked the death in 1936 of member Effie Lowerson from scarlet fever at 14 years. The other depicting the Biblical story A sower went forth to sow, commemorates Ross Gangell, who died in 1961 at 23 years of a rare blood condition. Eltham’s population expanson resulted in the growth of the church and an extension in 1971, designed by member and architect Colin Jones. The church was linked to the hall and additions included a foyer, vestry, meeting room and toilets. The design reflected the Eltham style of the time, with its simplicity, extensive clear glass, reused baked clay-bricks from the 1881 church, heavy ceiling beams and solomite (compressed straw) ceiling. On June 26, 1977 the church became part of the new Uniting Church in Australia consisting of the former Methodist and Congregational and most of the Presbyterian Churches. In 1981 membership peaked at 159 – about 20 years after most Protestant churches – and continued to reach out to the wider community.3 In 1987, 147 children attended Selihoo, the weekly after-school program organised with St Margaret’s Anglican Church. From 1993, the church with other local churches, participated in LINC (Love in the Name of Christ), helping the wider community in various ways including babysitting, transport, gardening and visiting. Despite such initiatives, church numbers declined, and on June 23, 1996, the church merged with the Montmorency Uniting Church.4 However, the church continued to proclaim its message of love in community service and strong social justice action, such as in Jubilee 2000, supporting debt relief to the world’s 45 poorest countries. Some of the many church members who have had an outstanding impact on the wider community include Philip Shillinglaw, farmer and poet, and Arthur Bird (after whom the Arthur Bird Reserve is named), a pioneer orchardist and the Sunday School Superintendent for 33 years. Others were: the Rev Dr Cliff Wright, who established the Methodist Youth Fellowship and was prominent in the World Council of Churches, the Rev Brian Howe, who became Deputy Prime Minister and Tim Marshall, awarded the Order of Australia in 2000 for his work on salinity.This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, eltham uniting church, eltham methodist church

The Nillumbik Cemetery is of historical, architectural, aesthetic and social significance at a Regional level (North-east Melbourne). The memorial arch is of State significance. Nillumbik Cemetery, which was established in 1867, is of historical and social significance for its association with the early history of Diamond Creek and as a record of the pioneering families of the district. Significant graves include those of the famous writer Alan Marshall, author of 'I Can Jump Puddles', footballer Gordon Coventry, and William Ellis, notable early settler and benefactor. The 1897 Tudor/Gothic revival memorial arch, bequeathed by William Ellis, is a rare design in ornamental gateways and is relatively large for the size of the cemetery. It is unique in Victoria as a cemetery gateway arch. The burial ground has associated structures, such as the hexagonal timber sexton's office, post and wire fence and picket hand gate along Main Street, all probably built in the early twentieth century. Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. National Trust of Australia (Victoria) - Regional significance Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p83 Entering Nillumbik Cemetery through an ornamental gateway and shaded by the Monterey Cypress hedge helps one leave the busy world outside and contemplate yesterday’s Diamond Creek. The gateway, classified by the National Trust of Australia (Victoria), and inscribed with ‘JANVA VITAE’ (gate of life), was a gift from a distinguished pioneer, William Ellis. Ellis, who was an original trustee of the Nillumbik Cemetery representing the Primitive Methodists and a successful farmer, bequeathed £100 to build the red-brick and carved stone gateway in 1887. In 1867 surveyor Edward Bage had set aside two acres (0.8ha) now 35 Main Street, for this cemetery, in what was then called the village of Nillumbik. Several earlier burials on private lands in the district might have been exhumed and re-interred in the new cemetery. The first burials in the cemetery are thought to be of ‘a Chinaman who hanged himself from a tree behind the Church of England’ and ‘another man who was drowned in a water-hole behind the same church’.1 The 1000 or so graves in the cemetery are grouped into five denominational sections: two Anglican and one each for the Methodist (the largest), Catholic and Presbyterian Churches. It is believed that several unmarked graves are of Aborigines and Chinese miners.2 Perhaps the most famous person buried in the cemetery was author Alan Marshall, who died in 1984 and wrote, among other books, I Can Jump Puddles. Surprisingly his grave is particularly modest consisting of only a grassed plot with a tiny boulder and a simple bronze plaque. It lies about halfway down the main path, at the west and third row back. The first European, interred at the cemetery on July 9, 1869, was Hannah, aged 13 years eight months, daughter of local orchardist John Lawrey and wife Honor.3 Each grave has a story which reflects a rich history. Phillip Cummings, who died in 1884, provided the barn for Diamond Creek’s first school, run by the Primitive Methodist Church. The barn stood at the corner of Phipps Crescent and the main road.4 Former Eltham Shire councillor George Stebbings, who died in 1896, built several prominent buildings in the district, including Shillinglaw Cottage in Eltham.5 The grave of miner James Joseph Whyte, who died in 1908, is a reminder of Diamond Creek’s gold mining history. At age 51, Whyte died from a rock fall in the Diamond Mine, Diamond Creek. Diamond Creek’s first butcher, Patrick Ryan, became President of the Shire of Heidelberg and Chairman of the Eltham Hurstbridge Railway Trust. A former gold miner, he was grandfather of local historian Reverend Jock Ryan. He was buried in an unmarked grave halfway down the central path. His son John Lawrence, who is buried elsewhere, had been a Mayor of the City of Heidelberg. George Martin Pizzey gave a hall, for what was to become The St John’s Anglican Church in Diamond Creek. He was a Crimean War veteran, mason and leather goods manufacturer in Melbourne, who died in 1915. The two world wars took a heavy toll of locals with 54 personnel buried here, two thirds of whom served in World War One. A sporting pioneer was Greensborough District Cricket Club founder, Andrew Webb, who was buried in 1971. Politician Roy Mountford Vale (Monte), who died in 1977, was a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Greensborough, and a founding councillor and president of the Diamond Valley Shire. Modern-day residents are also remembered in this cemetery. The tragic Ash Wednesday bushfires took their toll on the district: William Marsden of Panton Hill CFA died, aged 39, fighting bushfires at Upper Beaconsfield in 1983.6 Several graves tell of those who held distinguished positions overseas, including William Constable, who died in 1989. Constable was artistic director of a ballet company, art director of more than 30 films for London-based film productions, and was awarded best Film Art Director at the Moscow Film Festival in 1960.This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, diamond creek, memorial arch, gateway, nillumbik cemetery, william ellis

Located on the corner of Main Road and John Street, the church first served the community as the Eltham Wesleyan Church since 1881. It became the Eltham Methodist Church in 1902, the year it united with the Primitive Methodists. Eltham Wesleyans first worshipped together in the home of William and Mary Crozier, on 24 acres bounded by Mount Pleasant Road and Pitt Street. From there they moved to a slab and bark hut in 1855 (this later served as the first school run by David Clark prior to the building of a new school in Dalton Street) and the members then built a chapel in 1858 on Lot 20, Henry Street (later to become the Rechabite Hall and Eltham Public Hall). The present church on John Street was designed by architects Crouch and Wilson in the Early English Gothic style with biochrome brick window frames, buttress heads and pinnacle. Church member George Stebbing built the church, the foundations were constructed with stone from the walls of the first Eltham State Primary School (No. 209) building which collapsed in 1874 and were purchased by Robert David Taylor. Stebbing was also responsible for building St Margaret’s Church and Shillinglaw Cottage. The Roll of Honour, which presently hangs in the church hall (which also doubles as the Opportunity Shop) lists 27 members of the congregation who served in the First World War, 11 of whom never returned. The red-brick Church Hall was opened in 1931 and in 1971 further additions linked the hall and church, including a foyer, vestry, meeting room and toilets reflecting the Eltham style of that time with its simplicity, extensive clear glass, reused baked clay-bricks from the 1881 church, heavy ceiling beams and compressed straw ceiling. On June 26, 1977, the church became part of the new Uniting Church in Australia consisting of the former Methodist and Congregational and most of the Presbyterian Churches. Following of declining numbers of worshippers, the church merged with the Montmorency Uniting Church on June 23, 1996. In 2023 the Uniting church approved a plan to renovate the church. It is understood that the historic church and the hall will be retained, and the building added in 1971 is to be demolished, to make way for a new purpose-built Opportunity shop. The proposed areas to be demolished include the current foyer, toilets, crèche, etc, including the area between the hall and the former RSL. Works are expected to commence mid to late July 2023. The Society was invited by a church member to take photographs of these areas to document them prior to demolition works commencing. Ref: “Nillumbik Now and Then” by Marguerite Marshall (2008)jim connor collection, 2023-07-10, eltham-montmorency uniting church, john street, methodist church, opportunity shop, uniting church, uniting church hall