Rochester, VIC - Uniting

History and Architecture:

The  first  Methodist  service  was  held  in  1871/72.  These  were  conducted  by  the  Rev  S  Bryant  who  was  stationed  at Elmore.  Services  were  first  held  in  the  old  school  house  on  the  east  side  of  the  Campaspe  River.  In  1873  the  Rev  A Uglow was appointed to the Rochester circuit (this circuit was originally attached to the Elmore circuit but it soon split into two circuits).
 
In 1873 a brick church and parsonage was erected near the main entrance of the Recreation Reserve. As the population increased so did the congregation. Eventually the little church on the east side of the river became too small. Services were held outdoors or in the Shire Hall until funds were raised as the town was now growing on the west side of the river the new church was built on the corner of Elizabeth Street and Moore Street.  

The foundation stone was laid by W G Hart in October 1910. The architect was A E Castles and the building contractors were Reeve Bros. Opening services were conducted by the Rev Thomas Adamson on the 5 February 1911. A Sunday school building was moved to the site in 1911. It came from Corop and it was the old Corop Methodist Sunday School. A kindergarten was added later. A parsonage was constructed in Moore Street in 1912.