Newspaper clippings about the Uniting Church, Meltonchurches, local identities

Colour postcard, H&B series, No. 6 of Collins St Melbourne looking west from near Exhibition St Has the Independent Church, Scots Church and Georges in the view along with the Town Hall. Tram has the destination of Spring St. Photo c1910Yields information about the view along Collins St from near Exhibition St.Postcard - colour with divided backIn pencil on rear "28/5/1987"trams, tramways, cable trams, collins st, scots church, independent church

This file contains six items pertaining to the Caulfield Central RSL: 1/A page to which is attached a black-and-white photograph (date, source and photographer unspecified) of the Caulfield Central RSL, outlying garden and Australian flag. Some writing on the rear identifies the subject. 2/A typewritten letter, (1 page) dated 1946 (no date more specific than that specified), from the Chairman & Honorary Treasurer of the Caulfield Central RSL Appeal Committee (name unspecified) to the Mayor of Caulfield (name also unspecified), imploring the latter for a donation of $20,000 dollars for purposes of constructing a Memorial Hall to eulogize servicemen killed during WWII. Some rough working notes on rear side. 3/A flyer, undated (although presumably published in 1950), printed by Peter Isaacson Pty. Ltd., advertising a concert presented by the Ugly Ugly Man (Frank M. Beard) and the Malvern Tramways’ Harmonica Band to be held at Caulfield Town Hall on 06/06/1950 to assist the Welfare Funds of the Caulfield Central RSL and the Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen’s Mothers’ Association. Also contains an advertisement for a drapery business called Tallents. 4/The annual report of the Caulfield Central RSL, for the period 1952 – 1953. Contains announcements of the annual general meeting and annual elections, the President’s report (in which he principally discusses the club’s charity work and sporting activities), the subcommittee staff roster, the sportsmen’s honour roll, the annual accounts (e.g. balance sheet, income & expenditure statement) and the roster of nominees for office in the committee of management election. 5/A typewritten letter, (1 page) dated 26/11/1982, from Max Brian Blair, Treasurer of the Caulfield Central RSL, to Mr. R. Ballantyne, Secretary of the Caulfield Historical Society, thanking him for his donation to the RSL. 6/A photocopy of an article titled ‘RSL pays $30,000 to buy off objector’ (from the Sunday Herald, by Mary-Anne Toy, dated 16/09/1990), about the Caulfield Central RSL paying local resident Mr. Chris White to withdraw his objection to the RSL’s intention to re-allocate its clubrooms, and the consequent response of the relevant authorities.Black and white photographic print of Caulfield Central RSL buildingOn reverse, PIC B - 5 - CONTACT - RSL BUILDING - CONTACT 28/4/88 - 100% - HAWTHORN ROAD CAULFIELDcaulfield, caulfield central returned servicemen league (rsl), ex-service organisations, clubs and associations, returned servicepeople, armed forces, soldiers, aged people, senior citizens centres, mayors, city of caulfield, war memorials, blamey thomas general sir, white t. w. group capt., gullett h. b. major, beaurepaire frank sir m.l.c., kennedy j. a. m.l.c., warner a. g. m.l.c., michaelis archie m.l.a., dennett a. h. lt.-col. m.l.a., don john capt. m.l.a., reid h. squire m.l.a., brooks w. r. cr., packer j. t. cr., parton e. m. cr., prior p. l. cr., morris t. w. cr., sinclair a. j. g. cr., sims h. e. cr., smith h. c. h. cr., smith james e. cr., tyers s. w. cr., webster harold cr., yorston j. s. cr., briggs r. jas., disney j. s., donath h., llewellyn evans, goddard s. a. padre, lynch p. j., nilsen oliver j. cr., pidd padre a. t., robinson norman, reece harold j., wootton harold s., wallace gordon w., nelson harold g., halls, concerts, musical events and activities, fundraising events, bands, musical ensembles, sailors soldiers and airmen’s mothers’ association, ‘the ugly ugly man’, beard frank m., malvern tramways harmonica band the, caulfield town hall, tallents, drapers, glenhuntly road, glen huntly road, elsternwick, peter isaacson pty. ltd melbourne, annual reports, financial documents, fisher s. w., finch f., williams f., salmon j. e., mallyon v. k., woods w., mayne t. v., lanyon r. j., rowney w. p., williams j. d., pepper e., bathurst t., patterson r., nuzum e. j., phillips e. v., turner g., hawthorn road, byrne l. j., eva a. r., bunny c. l., hoy c. a., orken a., hiam s. f., rawson n. l., coleman g. h., cohen a. s., mason j., goode l. p., nelson h. g., crosbie m. r., mcsweeney t., westley g. de v., greeves c. g., festivals and celebrations, community services, social services, service clubs, ladies auxiliary, returned servicewomen’s section, blamey house, social sub-committee, sport, sporting clubs, tennis, golf, billiards, table tennis, lawn bowls, thompson peter, cricket, children’s health bureau, family welfare bureau, buley doug mr., tomlins m. i., lang a. r., kendall h. i., ford c., munro w., gordon h., rowe s., green j. h., o’brien j., ring t., anderson g. j., croft r. m., jones p. j., la cerf g., roper i., lawrence f., eustace r. c., hanley a., moore a., strachan w. d., gilbert w. f., blair m. r., scriven e. g., miller j. l., hosking b. e., cheeseman r. n., summers s., croy l. w., mclatchie s., williams stan, hattersly cliff, day alf, rawson noel, johnson alby, banham bill, kersey b., williams s., jones a., witten f., waters r., dash r., meldrum i., grant j., haggar l., nightingale n., hallett r., somers r., young g., rawson n., croft r., barton m., o’grady w., cooper p., manton j., sutcliffe a., maver a., challender d., hunt a., parrott e., leicester j., westwood a., rae alex, smith harry, forbes jimmy, johnson jack, higgins w., fink s., hall s., ross m., anderson h., fleming j., bottoms a., peek e., stark j., mathews e., gursansky l., morres r., alenson j., holland i., wallace p., craig h., lucas j., smith h., bretel l., berryman p., reid a., swann j., tully f., henderson g., fields w., johnson j., gloster p., tennat j., boyd a., butterworth k., chapman k., curran j., elkington a. b., evans w., mckenzie d. a., nicol a. b., thompson w., wanliss t. w., watson g. j., williams g., yeomans p., mcgowan h., o’connor k., atherton r., batson s. s., bull e., fletcher a., gorman s. c., hall w., jellett l., lesar h., mather r., nelson n., ratford d., rowe p., turner w. j., wehsack f., williams s. c., wilson a., carter w., forbes i., purvis l., datson r., jackson e., wolstencroft w., smith c., mitchell r., harward j., gillespie ray, hill wally, parkinson w. g., greeves colin mr., water stan mr., selleck f. p., luckins l., andrews f., young v. l., king e. j., mccutcheon j. o., grenfell d. j., hurley c., shand a. r., yeates l., hogue h., mather j., wardrop j., lyons a. m., ross a. r., bradley t., walker r. n., cox f. c., mornane j. s., fletcher a. e., mcneil j. g., rose n., lyons l. j., trevorrow g., wright d. e., walker r., maxwell j., hutchinson j. c., mclean r., caulfield historical society, ballantyne r. mr., blair max brian, toy mary-anne, ruxton bruce mr., administrative appeals tribunal, caulfield city council, white chris mr., northcote avenue, independent church of australia, marsden ian mr., mccutcheon mr

The Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor was founded in Portland, Maine, USA, in 1881 by Dr Francis Edward Clark, as an interdenominational Christian youth society encouraging them to "work together to know God in Jesus Christ". In the 1880s, CE Societies were established in each Australian state. The first Victorian convention was held in Melbourne in 1890. Rapid growth occurred with 3000 members, representing 65 societies, attending the second convention in 1891, and 205 societies attending the third convention the following year. [Source: https://www.ce.asn.au/about/our-past-australia/]Pale blue silk banner on a canvas backing with appliqued lettering. The letters are of cream felt and the banner has gold cord edges. The lower edge has a gold metal fringe on a scalloped edge. There is cream cord on all outside edges, and it has blue cotton on the back. The banner has a wooden hanging rod across the top."PRAHRAN INDEPENDENT Y.P.S.C.E. MOTTOB BY LOVE SERVE APRIL 1889"prahran independent church, young people's society of christian endeavour, christian endeavour

BHS CollectionMinute Book Quarry Hill Independent Church Sandhurst Minutes Book - Leaders Meeting December 1864 - December 1872 Includes list of members. Brown cover with marbled pattern. Blue pages. Handwritten minutes.church, history, uniting church forest street

The Rev J. E. James was the minister of the Collins Street Independent Church.Sepia photograph on card mount with a paper protective cover showing nine men, four sitting, dressed formally; three are wearing academic gowns. The group are in front of long curtains. The photograph has a white label on the back.Handwritten names on paper cover: "J.E. James, W. Christiansen, Seaudrett (?) A.S. Devenish, F.A.F. (Forward), L.E. Bradbury, W.J.L. Closs, G. Bell, D.E. Reeves. 1919". Typed on white label: "Congregational College of Victoria Staff and Students 1919"congregational college

Dr. Geoffrey Wainwright Professor of Systematic Theology at Duke University spoke at Independent Church on What faces the church.B & W photograph of Rev Dr Geoffrey Wainwright standing at a lecturn."Rev. Geoffrey English Wainwright theologian c1990 World Wide Photos Ltd 2nd floor 7 Wilmot Street Sydney NSW 2000 Tel 264-7220 E2988-153"wainwright, geoffrey english, professor of systematic theology, duke university

Dr. Geoffrey Wainwright Professor of Systematic Theology at Duke University spoke at Independent Church on "What faces the church".B&W head and shoulders photographs of Rev Dr Geoffrey Wainwright. "Dr. Geoffrey Wainwright Dean's Office Duke Divinity School Durham NC 27706"wainwright, geoffrey english, professor of systematic theology, duke university

Dr. Geoffrey Wainwright Professor of Systematic Theology at Duke University spoke at Independent Church on "What faces the church".B & W head and shoulders photograph of Rev Dr Geoffrey Wainwright. "Rev. Geoffrey Wainwright World Wide Photos Ltd 2nd floor 7 WSilmot Street Sydney NSW 2000 Tel 264-7220 E2988-145"wainwright, geoffrey english, professor of systematic theology, duke university

Pupils standing in the front of Canterbury Grammar School, corner of Alexandra Avenue and Canterbury Road. The school began in the Methodist Church Hall , Balwyn Road approx 1902, moved to Goldings Hall , and from1903 - 1913 operated from Alexandra Avenue, Canterbury Road.canterbury, canterbury road, alexandra avenue, canterbury grammar school, goldings hall, methodist church, independent schools students

The Congregational Union of Victoria (Incorporated) held its Half-Yearly Assembly on Monday, 14th October, to Friday 18th October, 1957 at Collins Street Independent Church. The President was Rev. Walter Albiston. A Youth Work Exhibition was held in the Independent Hall from Tuesday 8th, to Friday, 11th October.Small bi-folded programme with black ink.congregational union of victoria (incorporated), rev walter albiston

Black & White Photograph of a postcard made by the TMSV Sales of two cable trams in Collins Street between Russell and Exhibition Streets. One car has the destination of Spring St having come up from either South Melbourne or Port Melbourne and the other (westbound) Victoria Street cable set is bound for Spencer St. In the background is George & George (later Georges), the Scots Church and the Independent Church, now St Michael's Uniting Church in the view. Photo dates from 1890's Two copies held.trams, tramways, collins st, cable trams, spring st, victoria st

The Congregational Union of Victoria (Incorporated) held its Half-Yearly Assembly from 4th October 12th October, 1937 at Collins Street Independent Church and the Melbourne Town Hall. The Chairman was Rev. Walter Albiston. A Youth Work Exhibition was held in the Independent Hall from Tuesday 8th, to Friday, 11th October.Four page booklet with black ink text. There is a line drawing on the front and three illustrations inside. congregational union of victoria (incorporated), rev walter albiston

A photo of a group of Army personnel, some holding Legacy Badge trays with the President of Legacy David Kelly in a room of Legacy House. David Kelly was President of Melbourne Legacy in 2000. In that year Legacy Week ran from Sunday 26th August with a Widows Pilgrimage to the Shrine after a service at St Michaels Independent Church in Collins Street.A record of fundraising for Legacy week.Colour photo of army personnel at Legacy House for badge week in 2000.Printing on the back "legacy appeal, fundraising, badge week, army, adf personnel

Alexander Morison was ordained in Hobart, Tasmania 19/02/1839. Ministry: CMS missionary in Van Dieman's Land 1838 - 1839; Independent Church Collins St. Melbourne 1843 - 1864; Presbyterian supply ministry 1865 - 1869; Presbyterian Church Clunes 1869 - 1872; Honorary Librarian/Professor of Hebrew and Church History, Congregational College Victoria 1880 - 1887. Died 14/04/1887.Photocopy of original B & W head and shoulders portrait of the Rev Alexander Morison.Rev A. Morison 1843 - 1864

The former "Zion" Congregational Church was on the corner of Walker Street and Beverin Street in Sebastopol. Its origins began as 'Zion" Welsh Independent Church in Albert Street, Sebastopol. The Uniting Church in Australia was inaugurated in June 1977, at which time the Sebastopol Methodist Church joined with the Zion Congregational Church on Walker Street, Sebastopol and became Sebastopol Uniting Church. The block to the south of the church was purchased in 1982, the occupying house demolished and the area cleared and later sealed for parking. In 1984 the interior of the church was renovated and plans were drawn up for further additions and alterations to the Sunday school, which were carried out in 1989, adding a kitchen and toilet built by Jeff Menhennett & SonsWhite soft covered booklet of 20 pages with blue printing. Written in biro on front cover "To Keith Rash with compliments from Hugh Lawson 7/4/1961"zion congregational church, sebastopol, carmel welsh church, zion hall, hugh lawson, sebastopol unitng church

This plate comes from the Congregational Church in Warrnambool. It was probably part of a set of crockery used by church members at social events. The Warrnambool Congregational Church was established in 1862 when Robert Winton and Thomas Nayler set up a meeting to discuss the possibility of establishing an Independent Church in Warrnambool. The first minister was William Pentland and the first church was opened in 1864 in Liebig Street. Samuel Nettleton was a notable early church member, being Superintendent of the Sunday School for 60 years. A new church was opened in Henna Street in 1940. In 1973 the Congregational Church merged with the Methodist Church to form the Uniting Church in 1977. In 1976 the former Congregational Church in Henna Street was sold to the Salvation Army. This plate is of interest as a memento of the former Congregational Church in Warrnambool. In the early to mid 20th century this church was a strong and influential force in the Warrnambool community. This is a cream-coloured dinner plate made of china. The gold bands around the edge of the plate are now almost obliterated. The lettering in the middle of the plate is black and white. The plate has several chips on the edge and is somewhat stainedWarrnambool Congregational Church’warrnambool congregational church

This saucer came from the Warrnambool Congregational Church and was probably part of a set of crockery used by the church members at social gatherings. The Warrnambool Congregational Church was founded in 1862 when Robert Winton and Thomas Nayler conducted a meeting in Warrnambool to consider the possibility of forming a local Independent church. The first minister was William Pentland and the first church was in Liebig Street. A notable member of the Congregational Church was Samuel Nettleton who was the Superintendent of the Sunday School for 60 years. In 1940 a new church was opened in Henna Street. In 1973 there was a merger of the Congregational Church and the Methodist Church, resulting in the formation of the Uniting Church in 1977. In 1976 the former Congregational Church in Henna Street was sold to the Salvation Army. This saucer is of interest as a memento of the former Congregational Church in Warrnambool. It comes from the early 20th century days when the church would have had a strong following in the city. This is a cream-coloured saucer with double gold edging around the outer rim. The lettering in the middle of the saucer is black and white. The inside of the saucer is much stained. ‘Warrnambool Congregational Church’warrnambool congregational church, history of warrnambool

This book was written by the Rev. Gordon Powell in 1956. Gordon Powell (1911-2005), the son of George Powell, a Kepler Street dentist, was born in Warrnambool. A minister, writer and broadcaster, the Rev. Gordon Powell was the best-known Presbyterian minister in Australia in the 20th century. He was the minister at the Independent Church, Melbourne for many years and served in New Guinea as a chaplain during World War Two. When minister at St. Stephen’s Church in Sydney he attracted the largest congregation of any Protestant church in Australia at the time at both his Sunday and Wednesday services. He gave radio talks for many years and was responsible for introducing the world-wide group, Alcoholics Anonymous to Australia.This book is retained as it was written by an influential 20th century Australian Presbyterian Minister, the Rev. Gordon Powell. He was born in Warrnambool. This is a hard cover book of 124 pages. The cover is blue with black lettering on the spine. The dust cover has black and blue printing and a photograph on the front of a coastal scene. The spine of the dust cover is torn. The pages contain printed material in an introduction and eleven chapters.Godfrey 10 Somers Rd. Warrnamboolrev. gordon powell, history of warrnambool, st. stephen’s church

James Legge was born of Scots parentage at Dunolly, Victoria on 2 July 1873. He was educated at Scotch College Melbourne, and at the University of Melbourne. He worked as a teacher before starting the Theological course at Ormond College. He completed his theological training in 1902, and was appointed by the Home Mission Committee to the parish of Boort, where at Durham Ox he was ordained and inducted in May 1903. He married Susan Ison at the Collins St. Independent Church on 11 September 1907. Legge was called to Clunes (1907), Preston (1917), Mildura (1920), Dandenong (1924), and Kew (1926). Demitted 1942. Home Mission appointment Mitcham 1946. Died October 21 1951B & W waist length photo enlargement of Rev James Legge B.A. printed on buff card.Rev. James Legge, B.A. 1926 - 1942james legge, presbyterian, minister, scotch college, university of melbourne, ormond college, kew

Isaac Watts is most well-known as a Nonconformist hymn-writer. Many of his compositions are still in common use today and his Divine Songs, first published in 1715, is considered the first hymn-book for children. Watts’s non-hymnal writings include catechisms composed for children of various ages: the first set for children under seven years of age and the second set for children from seven to twelve years of age. Isaac Watts was the son of a schoolmaster, and was born in Southampton, July 17, 1674. He is said to have shown remarkable precocity in childhood, beginning the study of Latin, in his fourth year, and writing respectable verses at the age of seven. At the age of sixteen, he went to London to study in the Academy of the Rev. Thomas Rowe, an Independent minister. In 1698, he became assistant minister of the Independent Church, Berry St., London. In 1702, he became pastor. In 1712, he accepted an invitation to visit Sir Thomas Abney, at his residence of Abney Park, and made it his home for the remainder of his life. Watts died November 25, 1748, and was buried at Bunhill Fields. (Ref: hymnary web-site)This item is an example of an early religious text book for children.A small brown covered paperback book. Text on the cover is black - Improved Edition With Excercises ; The Second Catechism ; With Prayers and Graces for Children. There is also a gold paper bookmark.religious-text watts-isaac catechism

Macnab was the minister of St Michael's Uniting Church (formerly Collins Street Independent Church) from 1971 to 2016. Macnab was born to J. D. Macnab and Mary Anne Louisa Hughes on 21 June 1931. Macnab married his wife, Sheila, in 1958. They have three children, two daughters and a son. He was made a member of the Order of Australia for his contributions to psychotherapy and religion. Training and psychological work - Macnab holds a Doctor of Divinity degree from the University of Aberdeen. He has honorary doctorates from the University of Melbourne and RMIT in psychology and applied science. In 1961, Macnab opened the Cairnmillar Institute, a clinical psychological centre, the largest in Australia, which was for some time the largest training body for psychologists and counsellors in the country. He was its Executive Director. Macnab founded and is director of the Australian Foundation for Aftermath Reactions which provides trauma treatment and training. He is a Fellow of the Australian Psychological Society. Following a ministry at Prahran Presbyterian Church from 1961 to 1970, Macnab became minister of the then Collins Street Congregational Church, now known as "St Michael's on Collins", in 1971. The church became a congregation of the Uniting Church in Australia at its inception in 1977.The three head & shoulders photos show Macnab at three different periods in his life."Rev. Dr. Francis Macnab"macnab, francis, st. michael's uc, cairnmillar institute

Macnab was the minister of St Michael's Uniting Church (formerly Collins Street Independent Church) from 1971 to 2016. Macnab was born to J. D. Macnab and Mary Anne Louisa Hughes on 21 June 1931. Macnab married his wife, Sheila, in 1958. They have three children, two daughters and a son. He was made a member of the Order of Australia for his contributions to psychotherapy and religion. Training and psychological work - Macnab holds a Doctor of Divinity degree from the University of Aberdeen. He has honorary doctorates from the University of Melbourne and RMIT in psychology and applied science. In 1961, Macnab opened the Cairnmillar Institute, a clinical psychological centre, the largest in Australia, which was for some time the largest training body for psychologists and counsellors in the country. He was its Executive Director. Macnab founded and is director of the Australian Foundation for Aftermath Reactions which provides trauma treatment and training. He is a Fellow of the Australian Psychological Society. Following a ministry at Prahran Presbyterian Church from 1961 to 1970, Macnab became minister of the then Collins Street Congregational Church, now known as "St Michael's on Collins", in 1971. The church became a congregation of the Uniting Church in Australia at its inception in 1977.The three head & shoulders photos show Macnab at three different periods in his life."Rev. Dr Francis Macnab"macnab, francis, st. michael's uc, cairnmillar institute

Macnab was the minister of St Michael's Uniting Church (formerly Collins Street Independent Church) from 1971 to 2016. Macnab was born to J. D. Macnab and Mary Anne Louisa Hughes on 21 June 1931. Macnab married his wife, Sheila, in 1958. They have three children, two daughters and a son. He was made a member of the Order of Australia for his contributions to psychotherapy and religion. Training and psychological work - Macnab holds a Doctor of Divinity degree from the University of Aberdeen. He has honorary doctorates from the University of Melbourne and RMIT in psychology and applied science. In 1961, Macnab opened the Cairnmillar Institute, a clinical psychological centre, the largest in Australia, which was for some time the largest training body for psychologists and counsellors in the country. He was its Executive Director. Macnab founded and is director of the Australian Foundation for Aftermath Reactions which provides trauma treatment and training. He is a Fellow of the Australian Psychological Society. Following a ministry at Prahran Presbyterian Church from 1961 to 1970, Macnab became minister of the then Collins Street Congregational Church, now known as "St Michael's on Collins", in 1971. The church became a congregation of the Uniting Church in Australia at its inception in 1977.The three head & shoulders photos show Macnab at three different periods in his life."Rev. Dr Francis Macnab"macnab, francis, st. michael's uc, cairnmillar institute

The St Kilda Presbyterian Church is now part of the St Kilda & Balaclava Presbyterian Church. Its first service was inaugurated by the Free Church Synod of Victoria in May 1855, in a building at the corner of High Street and Alma Road. In October 1855 the congregation moved to a wooden building in Inkerman Street, purchased from the Independent (Congregational) Church. The present church site was purchased and the first church opened in 1860. The foundation stone for the present church building, the second to be built on the site, was laid by the Governor of Victoria, Sir Henry Brougham Loch, on 27 January 1885. The building was opened on 30 May 1886. Wilson and Beswicke were the architects. Ralph Wilson designed the Methodist church on the corner of Princes and Fitzroy Streets and lived diagonally opposite the Presbyterian church. Charles Beswicke had toured Britain and the Continent in 1886 armed with a camera and returned to Australia with photographs of what he considered the greatest examples of architecture. He was responsible for the town halls in Brighton, Malvern, Hawthorn and Essendon and Wesleyan churches in Camberwell and Dandenong. Thomas Corley was the builder. The lofty spire was ‘a landmark to the mariner’ used by sea captains sailing up Port Phillip Bay. On a prominent position, the highest point in St Kilda, the church attracted wealthy people with legal, merchant and pastoral backgrounds.colour photographst kilda, churches, presbyterian church, balaclava

These photographs, taken by The Advocate in 2000, were part of the paper's feature "Church Life Project" of various churches throughout Keilor, St. Albans & Sunshine. These photographs are of Reverand Dean Eland of the Sunshine Methodist Church located on the corner of Devonshire Road and Withers Street, Sunshine. The first Methodist church in Sunshine opened on 10 March 1910 and originally formed part of the Footscray Methodist Circuit. As the local population grew, the congregation expanded and, in 1919, Sunshine was separated from the Footscray Circuit to become the independent Sunshine Methodist Church. During the mid-1950s, the original timber church, hall, and tennis courts were relocated across Devonshire Road. A new brick church was then constructed to accommodate the growing congregation. The foundation stone for the new building at 32 Withers Street was laid on 9 August 1958 by Rev. Norman Elliott, President of the Methodist Conference. The new church officially opened on 1 March 1959. A new church hall followed, opening on 18 August 1968. The church became far more than a place of worship. It developed numerous community outreach programmes including the Wayside Market, Wayside Opportunity Shop, Uniting Care Market, Crossroad Coffee Shop, Wayside Snack Bar, and Devonshire House Tea Rooms. These services provided social support and assistance to residents throughout Sunshine and Melbourne's western suburbs. In 1977, following the union of the Methodist, Presbyterian, and Congregational Churches, the Sunshine Methodist Church became the Sunshine Uniting Church, continuing its long tradition of worship and community service.The Sunshine Methodist Church is historically and socially significant as one of the earliest and most influential religious institutions established in Sunshine. Founded in 1910, the church played a central role in the spiritual, social, and community life of the district during a period of rapid growth and development.7743.01 - Sunshine Methodist Church 32 Withers Street Sunshine 2000 Photographs (Advocate 62).JPG 7743.02 - Sunshine Methodist Church 32 Withers Street Sunshine 2000 Photographs (Advocate 62).JPG 7743.03 - Sunshine Methodist Church 32 Withers Street Sunshine 2000 Photographs (Advocate 62).JPG 7743.04 - Sunshine Methodist Church 32 Withers Street Sunshine 2000 Photographs (Advocate 62).JPG 7743.05 - Sunshine Methodist Church 32 Withers Street Sunshine 2000 Photographs (Advocate 62).JPGsunshine methodist church, devonshire road, withers street, sunshine, sunshine uniting church

1911–2005: Gordon George Powell, who has died at 94, was for many years the highly influential minister at St Stephen's Presbyterian Church in Sydney and a popular radio broadcaster and author. He began Wednesday services at St Stephen's in Macquarie Street soon after arriving in Sydney from Melbourne in 1952. They grew to become the biggest regular lunch-hour services in the world, with up to 1300 people crowding the church and the hall below. In 1953, with the help of Vernon Turner of the Christian Broadcasting Association, services were broadcast on radio. The broadcasts continued even when Gordon moved back to Melbourne, so for 30 years he maintained a successful weekly radio ministry. While at St Stephen's, he was also involved in the 1959 Billy Graham Crusade in Sydney, attended by 980,000 people over two weeks. Gordon was born in Warrnambool, Victoria, the son of a dentist, George Powell, and his wife, Louisa (nee Clarke). He went to school at Scotch College. He gave up plans to become an electrical engineer after hearing a call to the ministry and studied arts and then theology at the University of Melbourne, where he formed a close friendship with Edward (Weary) Dunlop. Gordon rowed in the Ormond crew, winning the university's inter-college trophy five times. He was a passionate sports lover all his life. He was awarded a scholarship to Trinity College, Glasgow University, in 1935, and for three months stayed with the great Scottish churchman George (later Lord) MacLeod. While on a cycling trip around Scotland, he stopped by the shores of Loch Ness and saw a long neck appear. The monster swam about 300 metres at great speed; Gordon counted three or four humps. Later, when he saw a skeleton of a plesiosaurus at the Victoria and Albert Museum, he recognised it as Nessie. For the rest of his life, he retained an avid interest in the Loch Ness Monster and its attendant scientific debate. While in Scotland, Gordon wrote a weekly article for The Messenger, the official journal of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria. This led to a life as an author of articles and books. He also wrote long letters home to his mother, a habit that later led to his weekly "Dad's Diaries", which were distributed to the wider family. Failing eyesight put an end to his reading and writing two years ago. On returning to Australia in late 1936, he became assistant minister at Toorak, the second-biggest Presbyterian church in Melbourne. There, at last, Gordon married Gwen Gilchrist, whom he had courted for nine years. They moved from the wealthiest church to one of the poorest, at Port Adelaide, which was still in the grip of the Depression. There, he was finally ordained, in May 1938, and the first two of their four children, Rosemary and David, were born. In 1941, Gordon became assistant minister to Scots Church in Melbourne and the following year, after the birth of his third child, Mardi, he reluctantly volunteered as an RAAF chaplain. He was a pacifist but felt bad at not being in uniform. For the following three years, he was stationed in New Guinea and Australia. His war reminiscences were published as Two Steps to Tokyo and sold 6000 copies in 1945 alone. At 34, by then the father of four children, he was invited to be minister of the Collins Street Independent Church in the heart of Melbourne, now St Michael's Uniting Church Before being inducted, he undertook a lecture tour of the US, speaking to Rotary clubs in 48 centres, from Michigan to Maryland. He met, and was impressed by, the liberal theologian Harry Emerson Fosdick, and the US religious leader and author Norman Vincent Peale, who became a close friend and mentor. Back in Australia, Gordon founded and fostered the first Alcoholics Anonymous group in Melbourne. In 1952, he took up what was to become his happiest ministry, at St Stephen's in Sydney. When Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip toured two years later, Gordon and Gwen were not only invited to lunch with them, but sat beside them. This was a highlight for Gordon, an ardent monarchist. In 1960, Gordon and Gwen embarked on a world tour that included the US, where he was invited to give the opening prayer in the Senate, with vice-president Richard Nixon presiding. After another five years at St Stephen's, Gordon returned to Scots Church in Melbourne. It was a time of bitter debates over church union with the Methodists and Congregationalists. Gordon was in favour, but Scots ultimately voted to stay out and remain Presbyterian. By then in his mid-60s, he and Gwen moved to New York, where Peale was his neighbour. They had six happy years there before retiring to Melbourne. Gordon is survived by Gwen, and children David, Mardi and Jenny (daughter Rosemary died in 1992), 13 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. [From the obituary in the Sydney Morning Herald, 2005, written by Jenny (Powell)] Gwen and Gordon Powell coming out of the Toorak Uniting Church 50 years after they were married there. Gwen and Gordon Powell coming out of the Toorak Uniting Church 50 years after they were married there.gordon powell; gwen powell; port adelaide; toorak presbyterian church; st stephen's presbyterian church sydney; presbyterian minister