ArtStreams: Arts in Banyule, Darebin, Manningham, Nillumbik, Whittlesea & Yarra Vol. 5 No. 6 Summer Issue, 2000 Book Review "Ken Eckersall has been a member of the Eltham community for 40 years. He has been a member of the Methodist / Uniting Church for all of his 66 years. Having moved from being a compositer in the printing trade to a teacher and lecturer, in his retirement he has become an historian. Eltham Inhabitants is ostensibly a history of the Eltham Uniting Church, written to celebrate its 150th anniversary. The book is considerably broader than the commission suggests. This is hinted at in Eckersalls reference to the Eltham Wesleyan/Methodist/Uniting Church. Eckersall writes on the history and philosophy of the church from its beginnings in the 18th century to the present and places it in the context of the sociology and history of the period. Recognising the nexus between church and community, the author has in large part written a history of the Eltham community including the churches of other denomination(s). There are very few artists, academics or other interesting characters from the district who don't get a mention. Despite a plethora of information about the church, Eltham Inhabitants is a fund of historical information on many other fronts."Paperback; viii, 175 p. : ill. ; 21 cm. 2 copieseltham, churches, uniting church, eltham uniting church

This book tells the story of the Eltham Uniting Church from 1850-2000 and its place in the Eltham community.175 p., illus. Paperback.eltham-montmorency uniting church, eltham uniting church, kenneth eric eckersall, eltham methodist church

EDHS Newsletter No. 191 March 2010 BOOK LAUNCH Eltham's Serious and Their Neighbours (100 pages, B5, February 2010) This new book by Ken Eckersall follows from his publication of 2000, Eltham Inhabitants, with some stories retold and many new stories. Eltham 's Serious and Their Neighbours tells an Eltham narrative from 1850 to the present. The name 'Eltham's Serious' refers affectionately to Eltham/Wesleyan/Methodist/Uniting Church/Eltham Montmorency Uniting Church. Eltham's Serious and Their Neighbours presents a kaleidoscope of Nillumbik through stories, and the national and international historical context. Some stories are drawn from Eltham District Historical Society resources including R.D. Taylor 'Reminiscences' of 1931 and the Family History Project. The Book Launch will be at 2.00 pm on Sunday 18 April 2010 at Eltham Uniting Church, comer of Main Road and John Street. Opportunity will be provided to view church artifacts such as the stained glass windows, the World War I memorial and the bell. Paperback; iv, 92 p. ; 25 cm.[signed by author on title page]churches, eltham, eltham methodist church, eltham uniting church

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

Changing streetscape - RSL branch merged with Montmorency. Land sold and since developed into units.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsUnidentified; half-frame numberingmonuments, church, eltham rsl sub-branch, eltham uniting church, main road

Changing streetscape - RSL branch merged with Montmorency. Land sold and since developed into units.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsUnidentified; half-frame numberingmonuments, church, eltham rsl sub-branch, eltham uniting church, main road

Changing streetscape - RSL branch merged with Montmorency. Land sold and since developed into units.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsUnidentified; half-frame numberingmonuments, church, eltham rsl sub-branch, eltham uniting church, main road

Changing streetscape - RSL branch merged with Montmorency. Land sold and since developed into units.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsUnidentified; half-frame numberingmonuments, church, eltham rsl sub-branch, eltham uniting church, main road

Changing streetscape - RSL branch merged with Montmorency. Land sold and since developed into units.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsUnidentified; half-frame numberingmonuments, church, eltham rsl sub-branch, eltham uniting church, main road

Changing streetscape - RSL branch merged with Montmorency. Land sold and since developed into units.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsUnidentified; half-frame numberingmonuments, church, eltham rsl sub-branch, eltham uniting church, main road

Changing streetscape - RSL branch merged with Montmorency. Land sold and since developed into units.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsUnidentified; half-frame numberingmonuments, church, eltham rsl sub-branch, eltham uniting church, main road

Once a row of shops wase situated here and then the Eltham RSL sub branch occupied this site from the 1950s. The War Memorial obelisk was relocated here from it oriiginal site and situated in front of the building. After the branch amalgamated with Montmorency in 2012, the building was subsequently sold and demolished. The memorial was relocated. Units now occupy the site. Changing streetscapeRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsUnidentified; half-frame numberingmonuments, church, eltham rsl sub-branch, eltham uniting church, main road

Changing streetscape - RSL branch merged with Montmorency. Land sold and since developed into units.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsUnidentified; half-frame numberingmonuments, church, eltham rsl sub-branch, eltham uniting church, main road

Changing streetscape - RSL branch merged with Montmorency. Land sold and since developed into units.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsUnidentified; half-frame numberingmonuments, church, eltham rsl sub-branch, eltham uniting church, main road

Changing streetscape - RSL branch merged with Montmorency. Land sold and since developed into units.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsUnidentified; half-frame numberingmonuments, church, eltham rsl sub-branch, eltham uniting church, main road

Changing streetscape - RSL branch merged with Montmorency. Land sold and since developed into units.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsUnidentified; half-frame numberingmonuments, church, eltham rsl sub-branch, eltham uniting church, main road, john street

Changing streetscape - RSL branch merged with Montmorency. Land sold and since developed into units.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsUnidentified; half-frame numberingmonuments, church, eltham rsl sub-branch, eltham uniting church, main road, pitt street, eltham community centre

View from northwest corner showing survey pegs for trees and two ponds. Main Road has been duplicated. Bridge Street intersection showing the rock wall on the east side of the original Main Road (Maria Street). Burgoyne's Store and Eltham Uniting Church in distance at centre right and Our Lady Help of Christians at centre left.In February 1968 an unknown person took a series of photos from the Eltham Hotel at Pitt Street heading north along Main Road through the shopping centre to just north of Elsa Court covering the length of the section of Main Road which was duplicated shortly thereafter. Shows the condition and environment of the streesscape of Main Road, Eltham immediately prior to the duplication between Pitt Street and Elsa Court through the shopping centre. Also shows a number of shops and businesses that operated at that time.Black and white photographduplication, eltham, main road, bridge street, burgoyne's shop, eltham uniting church, our ladys church, maria street

The Society conducted a heritage excursion "Eltham War Memorials Walk" on Saturday, May 7, 2016 in conjunction with the centenary commemorations of the First World War. This walk involved visiting a number of memorials along Main Road dedicated to locals who served Australia in times of war including the Roll of Honour located in the Uniting Church Hall which also serves as the Opportunity Shop, which had once operated out of the former CBA bank building next door.activities, eltham district historical society, heritage excursion, jim connor collection, opportunity shop, uniting church, uniting church hall, 2016-05-07

jim connor collection, uniting church, 2018-07-13

Photocopy publication: Eltham Methodist Church One Hundred and Twenty-Five Years 1850-1975, Chris Allan editor. History of early Eltham, railway, schools, churches by A Bird. Map of Eltham with sites of significant buildings. Maps church site. Plan of church. Reminiscences by Edna Bill, Val Gangell, Don Brown. Notes by Ken Eckersall, Peter Gray, Ron Hubery. Newspaper article: Lessons in history, Diamond Valley News, 2 August 2000. Newspaper article: Parents stop teachers, Diamond Valley News, 2 August 2000, State-wide preschool teachers strike and Hurstbridge pre-school.main road, eltham, eltham methodist church, eltham uniting church, josiah holloway, hurstbridge pre-school, kinglake national park, churches

Changing streetscape - RSL branch merged with Montmorency. Land sold and since developed into units.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsUnidentified; half-frame numberingmonuments, church, eltham rsl sub-branch, eltham uniting church, main road

A walk around Little Eltham, 21 June 2017Born Digitalmain road, john street, eltham uniting church

Situated at 810 Main Road on the corner of John Street. The Church was surrounded by a picket fence and tall pine trees. The Church was built by George Stebbings in the 1850s and is an example of fine craftmanship. Formerly Wesleyan, Methodist then Uniting church; the foundations of the church building 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. REVISED STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE, CONTEXT, 2010 via Victorian Heritage Database What is significant? The 1880 bichromatic brick church and the surrounding site to the title boundaries. How is it significant? The church is architecturally, historically, socially and spiritually significant to the Shire of Nillumbik. Why is it significant? The church is architecturally significant as a finely detailed example of a brick 19th century rural community church, one of only four in the Shire (Criteria E & B). The church is historically significant as an important link with the time when Eltham was a small, insular country settlement. Also for the historical evolution visible in the complex, with the modest 1880s church and larger red brick rear hall from the early 20th century as a reflection of population growth in the area (Criterion A). The church is historically, spiritually and socially significant because it has played, and continues to play, an important part in the spiritual and social life of the community (Criterion G).Sepia postcard of Eltham Methodist Church, 1909eltham, methodist church, church, state school no. 209, eltham state school, robert david taylor, eltham uniting church, uniting church, wesleyan church

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

Former Methodiist Church now Eltham Uniting Church, cnr Main Road and John Street, ElthamTomorrow's history documented todayeltham, jim connor collection, main road, methodist church, uniting church

Eltham Gateway, Former Methodiist Church now Eltham Uniting Church, cnr Main Road and John Street, ElthamTomorrow's history documented todayeltham, jim connor collection, main road, eltham gateway, john street, methodist church, uniting church

Eltham Gateway, Former Methodiist Church now Eltham Uniting Church, cnr Main Road and John Street, ElthamTomorrow's history documented todayeltham, jim connor collection, main road, eltham gateway, john street, methodist church, uniting church

Montmorency Uniting Church celebrated its centenary in August 2014. The Church building was designed by Alistair Knox and its stained glass window was hand crafted by parishioners.News clipping with text and colour image.In pen: DV Leader 20/8/2014eltham-montmorency uniting church, montmorency uniting church

Eltham Uniting Church and former CBA bank (later Opportunity Shop) in centre left. The building on immediate left has since been demolished and is now the site of Goodstart Early Learning Eltham kinder120 format 6x9 clr positivecba bank, john street, main road, pitt street, uniting church