Yarram, VIC - Community
Year Built: 1963
Denomination: Protestant
Address: 142 Commercial Road, Yarram, Victoria, 3971
Previous Denomination: Methodist
Architect: Unknown
Traditional Owners: Brataualung people
Last Updated: 18/03/2023
History and Architecture:
In 1883 tenders were called for the erection of a Church in Yarram, on land given by Mr. Abraham Bland. It was at the southern end of his property "Aylesbury", on the road which later was named Church Road. The Parsonage was still at Tarraville, but in 1890 one was built on land adjoining the Church. The floor plan of the house was the same as that of "Aylesbury", though somewhat smaller. Plans and specifications were drawn by Mr. W. Scanlon and the estimated cost of the building was four-hundred and eighty-eight pounds, ten shillings and ten pence.
In 1914 Rev. J. Adamson, of the Conference Church Building and Loan Fund, visited Yarram. He suggested the Church be moved to a more central site. After some negotiations and the ever present problem of finance, two blocks of land were purchased in Wesley Street, and in June 1915 the Church began its journey to the new location. It was taken per bullock wagon up Church Road, along Livingston Street. across paddocks to blocks No. 19 and 20. The time taken was three days and the cost was sixty-five pounds.
In 1963 the Presbyterian Church at Alberton was purchased and Quarterly Meeting granted permission for the building program to proceed. The program was as follows:—The Church to be moved from Wesley Street to a new site at the Grant Street end of a new block of land fronting Commercial Road. The Alberton Church to be connected to the old Church, both set on a concrete foundation, and made into a hall, suitable for Sunday School and/or any functions which may be connected with the Church. At the same time, a new brick church was taking shape on the front area, the builder being Mr. Wes Jones of Morwell.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1884 - 1885 | Mr Francis Wood | WM | ||
| 1885 - 1886 | Rev Henry John Cook | WM | ||
| 1886 - 1887 | Rev J. McBride | WM | ||
| 1887 - 1889 | Rev Arthur Lelean | WM | ||
| 1889 - 1890 | Rev Thomas Collins | WM | ||
| 1890 - 1893 | Rev A. F. White | WM | ||
| 1893 - 1896 | Rev Percy N. Knight | WM | ||
| 1896 - 1899 | Rev Oliver J. Dowsling | WM | ||
| 1899 - 1901 | Rev L. Tait | WM | ||
| 1901 - 1904 | Rev George A. Dudkins | M | ||
| 1904 - 1907 | Rev William. T. Abbott | M | 1861 | 1927 |
| 1907 - 1910 | Rev George William Harrison | M | ||
| 1910 - 1913 | Rev W. H. Chapman | M | ||
| 1913 - 1916 | Rev W. T. Johns | M | ||
| 1916 - 1919 | Rev C. J. Walklate | M | ||
| 1919 - 1922 | Rev William E. Lancaster | M | 1950 | |
| 1922 - 1925 | Rev H. R. Harris | M | ||
| 1925 - 1927 | Rev W. Richards | M | ||
| 1927 - 1930 | Rev R. S. Morris | M | ||
| 1930 - 1934 | Rev Norman Elliott | M | ||
| 1934 - 1937 | Rev W. F. Hambly | M | ||
| 1937 - 1940 | Rev John K. Arnold | M | ||
| 1940 - 1945 | Rev John B. Longhorn | M | ||
| 1945 - 1950 | Rev H. T. McCraw | M | ||
| 1950 - 1954 | Rev Ira J. Mann | M | ||
| 1954 - 1956 | Rev Howard A. Pagdin | M | 1988 | |
| 1956 - 1960 | Rev D. h. Hunt | M | ||
| 1961 - 1964 | Rev E. B. Cousins | M | ||
| 1964 - 1965 | Rev N. W. Clarke | Student | ||
| 1965 - 1969 | Rev L. W. Churchill | M | 2005 | |
| 1969 - 1972 | Rev F. Morris | M | ||
| 1972 - 1975 | Rev R. Lovell | M | ||
| 1975 - 1976 | Pastor H. Landsmeer | M | 1976 | |
| 1977 - | Rev G. Wells |
Organ:
No information currently available. Submissions welcomed.
Source:
1. Until the Hills - A History of Methodism in the Yarram Circuit. LH 287.19456 WOO
2. Ryerson Index.