Leeton, NSW - Uniting
Year Built: 1937
Denomination: Uniting
Address: Church Street, Leeton, New South Wales, 2705
Previous Denomination: Methodist
Architect: G.W.A. Welch
Last Updated: 24/02/2024
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History and Architecture:
A Mr J.R. Lee first entered Leeton in 1912 with the express intention of setting up a Methodist Church on the town.
Undeterred by the prediction on his arrival "that there was no room in Leeton for Methodism," he went ahead with a building scheme. The Home Mission Department agreed to advance an interest-free loan for the building, but stipulated that the furniture was to be financed by the local people.*
The contract to build the church was let to Mr. R. J. Shearer, of Narrandera, and with the structure nearing completion, Mr. Lee ordered the furniture and proceeded to go after the cash with which to pay for it. Having collected 25 and still needing 100 he approached the late Sir Samuel McOaughey for help and received from him an offer of 50 provided he raised 50 from the townspeople.*
When the furniture arrived, he called a meeting and explained the situation to the crowd which packed the building, telling them he wanted 50 from them that night. He then proceeded to sell the furniture on the strict understanding that it must not be removed from the Church. First he sold the organ and then sold the chairs for 5/- each. "Frenzied Finance" someone called it, but the yield from this sale together with a collection of 10, gave him the 1.50 he needed which, together with Sir Samuel's pound for pound, cleared the cost of furnishings.*
In 1936 during the Ministry of Rev. R. A. Bell, a start was made to gather funds for the building of a new church in Leeton and sufficient progress was made to enable a commencement in 1937. As a first move the original 1913 building was shifted bodily from the front to the rear of the property, using 6-inch water pipes as rollers on carefully laid timber tracks.
Formerly a Methodist Church the foundation stone of this new Church was laid on the 24th August, 1937, by The Lord Wakehurst, K.C.M.G., Governor of N.S.W. The building was officially opened on 22nd September, 1937, by Rev. Harold Doust, Chairman of Riverina Synod District.
Clergy:
This list may not contain every serving cleric, past or present, for this church.
Further submissions welcomed.
| Years | Name | Annotation | D.o.B | D.o.D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1913 - 1915 | Rev W.H. Butler | M | ||
| 1915 - 1917 | Rev R.H. Campbell | M | ||
| 1917 - 1918 | Rev E. Thomas | M | ||
| 1918 - | Rev D. F. Almond | M | ||
| 1918 - 1919 | Rev J. Mort | M | ||
| 1919 - 1920 | Rev J. G. Robinson | M | ||
| 1920 - 1921 | Rev R. C. Barlow | M | ||
| 1921 - 1923 | Rev G. A. Bailey | M | ||
| 1923 - 1928 | Rev F. N. Biddle | M | ||
| 1928 - 1931 | Rev Edward M. Boyer | M | 1971 | |
| 1931 - 1935 | Rev Milfrod E. Southwell | M | ||
| 1935 - 1937 | Rev R. A. Bell | M | ||
| 1937 - 1938 | Mr C. A. Lean | M | ||
| 1938 - 1939 | Rev R. A. Bell | M | ||
| 1939 - 1941 | Rev R. H. Arthur | M | ||
| 1941 - 1946 | Rev M. L. Layton | M | ||
| 1946 - 1950 | Rev J. W. Henderson | M | ||
| 1950 - 1955 | Rev E. A. Bennett | M | ||
| 1955 - 1960 | Rev S. C. Quarmby | M | ||
| 1960 - | Rev D. W. Bliss | M |
Organ:
No information currently available. Submissions welcomed.
Source:
1. 50 Years Leeton Methodist Church 1913 - 1963