One of Albert Hampton Collection.Presbyterian Ladies Fellowship, c. 1937.photograph, people

Centenary of St. John's Presbyterian Church Forest Street, Bendigo 1872-1972. List of former Ministers of St. John's Church. A brief account of the history of the church is given. Extracts from minutes of Presbytery Church of Castlemaine 2/7/1872 states that they had not yet held any Sabbath Services in Sandhurst a grant not exceeding Twenty Pounds to meet the expenses of such Services necessary to establish a Second Charge in Sandhurst. Services were conducted in the Albion Hall, collections were obtained were liberal, Memorial signed by 104 members and adherents who expressed their desire to be recognized as a Congregation. St. John's first met at the Orderly Room (site of the Art Gallery), then at the Albion Hall (site of the Royal Princess Theatre), they then moved to St. James Hall (now Myer Store). In 1874 a weatherboard church in Forest St. was erected seating 550 persons, and named St. John's Presbyterian Church. It then became known as St John's Free Church and in 1880 it was admitted into the Presbyterian Church of Victoria and named Chalmer's Church. History accounts goes on to explain the further changes which happened within the church to 1972. Many other details have been included in the book such as the costs of the pews the 'Ladies Work Committee', a monthly church paper, Anniversary platform, securing a Manse, the year of the 'black-out', food parcels, the purchase of a building, the pioneering of religious films in church services, renovations, Sunday School, Stewardship Campaign, electronic organ. The history goes on detailing the growth of the organisations in the church; Choir, Sunday School Sunday School Ladies Auxiliary, PWMU, Afernoon Fellowship, Ladies Guild, PGF, Men's Club and Brotherhood, Bible Class, Sporting Clubs, PFA, Mission Band, Creche, Cradle Roll, Board of Management. A list of 'Memorials and Other Gifts Through the Years' from 1904 to 1972. Present 'Office Bearers of the Church'. Photo of present church on front cover, on rear cover is the church erected in 1897. With Indexchurch, centenary, st john's bendigo, st john's presbyterian church forest street bendigo centenary