When the Free Serbian Church was established in Wodonga it was the only one in a country centre and the third Serbian Church established in Australia. It had a congregation of approximately 40 members. The Church was originally the first Presbyterian Church in Wodonga. It is a rectangular brick building with a red Colourbond gable roof to the nave area and a domed roof to the rear of the nave. Many features of the architecture from the original building remain. However, changes were made during the refurbishment by the Free Serbian congregation. The original façade red brickwork was rendered and painted white and it was modified to include two round arched relief panels. The upper relief panel was divided into three blocks of colour - red, pale blue and grey, with a centrally located gold cross. The relief panel above the double timber front doors has a gold cross and Serbian iconography. A cross was located on the wall at the apex of the gable and a cross rising up from the gable. The original pointed gothic style windows were replaced with round arched windows. The window hardware now includes wrought iron decorative features. A domed roofed area was constructed to the rear of the nave. The perimeter fence and gates included decorative wrought iron elements. The gates are particularly decorative with floral emblems and Serbian and English text in wrought iron. These photographs are significant because they provide evidence of the changing nature of religious worship and groups in Wodonga.A collection of black and white and coloured photographic images depicting the Free Serbian Orthodox Church, Wodonga. The Church was originally the first Presbyterian Church in Wodonga. It was extensively modified in 1961-62.free serbian orthodox church, wodonga churches, presbyterian church, religion wodonga

Paper scrolls with Christian bible verses printed on them.religion, scripture, religious readings

The Hamilton-Smith collection was donated by the children of Grace Mary Hamilton-Smith nee Ellwood (1911-2004) and John Hamilton-Smith (1909-1984) who settled in Wodonga in the 1940s. The Ellwood family had lived in north-east Victoria since the late 1800s. Grace’s mother, Rosina Ellwood nee Smale, was the first teacher at Baranduda in 1888, and a foundation member of the C.W.A. Rosina and her husband Mark retired to Wodonga in 1934. Grace and John married at St. David’s Church, Albury in 1941. John was a grazier, and actively involved in Agricultural Societies. The collection contains significant items which reflect the local history of Wodonga, including handmade needlework, books, photographs, a wedding dress, maps, and material relating to the world wars. This Christian bible belonged to Grace Hamilton-Smith (nee Ellwood). The inscriptions indicate it was owned and used while she was at boarding school in Melbourne in the 1930s. It was published by the London printer Eyre and Spottiswood, established in 1739.This item has well documented provenance and a known owner. It forms part of a significant and representative historical collection which reflects the local history of Wodonga. It contributes to our understanding of social and family life in early twentieth century Wodonga, as well as providing interpretative capacity for themes including local history and social history.A black cloth bound Christian bible containing old and new testaments. On inner front page proper left upper corner in pencil: "Grace W Ellwood/"Braeside"/Bethonga./Victoria/Grace Ellwood/Morris Hall/Sth Yarra". On inner front paper proper left lower corner in pencil: "Grace Ellwood/Morris Hall/M.L.L. GLS/1925-6-7".bible, religion, christianity, hamilton-smith, ellwood, wodonga, school, jesus

From the mid-1860s families of German ancestry arrived in the Wodonga district, travelling in groups from South Australia. The majority of these people were of the Lutheran religion. At first there was no Lutheran pastor or church in the area and they held services under the gum trees or in their homes once they had been built. The early arrivals included the Haeusler, Klinge, Bartel, Rothe and Paech families. They were later joined by members of the Muller, Lange, Pumpa, Lobbe, Heckendorf, Zeinert, Schubert, Schuster, Schubert and Terlich families amongst others. The first Lutheran Church was built in Havelock Street, Wodonga and was dedicated in 1875. This building was used for approximately 90 years until it was demolished and replaced by a temporary building and then a second church which was dedicated in 1978. The Ovens and Murray Advertiser on 4th August 1874 reported "The Rev. Goessling pastor of the German Lutheran Church, Gerogery has laid the foundation stone of the new church for the members of his denomination residing at Wodonga, in accordance with the rights of the church. The building was to be 30 feet by 20 feet and 14 feet high, of brick with white facings and Gothic windows. There was to be a porch and vestry, one at either end, measuring 8 feet by 10 feet". Plans were initiated to build a new church from the late 1990s. After many years of planning and hard work, the last service in the Saint John’s Lutheran Church in Havelock Street was held on Sunday 7th May 2023 and a new Church was constructed. From 14th May 2023 the Parish held its worship services in Luther Hall at Victory Lutheran College in Drage Road, West Wodonga. The new Saint John’s Church was consecrated on 18 August 2024.This photo is significant because it depicts the original Lutheran Church in Wodonga.A black and white photograph of an old stone church building.Lutheran Church Wodongawodonga churches, lutheran church wodonga