History

IT ALL BEGAN IN 1856,
IN A COWSHED ON Mr MOORE’S PROPERTY … …

Anne & John Farmer, going to church

In 1856 a group of orchardist settlers with a Primitive Methodist heritage met in a cowshed (with the cows also in attendance), probably on the property of Samuel Moore, on the opposite side of Burwood Highway from the location of the present church hall.  There is a possibility it may have actually been on the site of the highway, which of course has been substantially widened over the years.  Meetings were held in members’ homes.

Travelling ChurchEarly Sunday School

 

 

 

 

The first church building arrived in 1862, a small structure that had already been used on two other sites, at Hawthorn and Norwood (in Warrigal Road Burwood) – it was dubbed “the travelling church“. Known as The Nunawading Primitive Methodist Church, it was part of the Melbourne circuit with the minister living in Fitzroy!  In 1864 trustees bought a small block of land for 5 pounds for the purpose of erecting a chapel and meeting house.  As the congregation’s numbers increased “it was contemplated to build at this place a more substantial chapel, the present one getting somewhat shaky”.

Service in old church

Sunday School Class 1959

1887 ChurchIn 1901 all the different “Methodist” churches in Australia united, so the church became East Burwood Methodist.  When Crown land became available on the Blackburn Road/Burwood Highway corner, a momentous occasion took place, probably in 1910, when the weatherboard building was rolled on logs pulled by draught horses across Burwood highway to the present location.   Two extensions were later added to the northern end.  Electricity arrived in 1923 and water in 1934 (sewerage in 1981!).  None of these early buildings still exists today.

Long time church member Dorothy Schwab painted this image in honour of the pioneer families.

The late 1950s and the early 1960s saw the orchards and market gardens giving way to residential urban sprawl. When the need for more space became evident, the new A-frame church building was opened in October1961.  Sometimes called “K-Mart Uniting” due to its location, it became well recognized in the community and its innovative design later earned a heritage listing.

Geoff Payne 7

 

 

 

 

 

Church Opening 1961 8

 

 

 

Church interior, old photo cropped

 

 

 

The 1970s saw a huge increase in numbers attending Sunday School, with well over 300 children being catered for in cramped conditions and in innovative ways.  Many groups were very active, including a choir, Youth Club, Young Adults group, Boys’ Club, Knights, Rays, Scott Cottage (Tally Ho) support group, gymnastics, cricket, netball, badminton, table tennis and jogging.

The first Parsonage was built in 1967, fronting the highway.
In 1973 this building was offered to the newly established East Burwood Centre and a new parsonage purchased elsewhere.  To accommodate the pressing need for accommodation wooden church was demolished in 1975 and six years later
a large new hall was erected, large enough to accommodate the
Sunday school and activities – and with toilet facilities replacing the former primitive version.  Vacant land behind the church was utilized in 1977 with the building of eight retirement units.

Methodist churches in Australia merged with the Congregationalists and Presbyterians to form the Uniting Church in 1977.  Three churches – East Burwood Methodist,
St Stephen’s Presbyterian Bennettswood and Blackburn South Methodist – combined as Burwood Heights Uniting Church.  It became the spiritual home to over 200 people and the occasion was recorded on an embroidered banner which depicts the three church buildings whose congregations came together in Union.

Roof4 0043.TIFIn 1986, a vestry was added to the church and the foyer extended.  Small changes were made to the interior, such as reversing the position of the pulpit and lectern and relocating the organ from the back of the church to the front.  Five chairs were crafted to be located behind the communion table and eventually the communion rail was removed.  In 2003 a new pressed-metal tiled roof replaced the old asbestos tiles and in 2012 the foyer and fellowship room were opened up to form a large flexible space which has proved to be of great benefit.

In bygone days, floral decorations were thought to be a distraction in churches, but in latter years they have become regarded as a ministry that enhances the atmosphere of the sanctuary.  The same can be said of the beautiful banners, many of which are designed to reflect the church calendar.

The 150th anniversary of the church’s
establishment was celebrated in 2006.
To commemorate the milestone,
a special banner was mounted
in the hall foyer and a plaque
at the entrance.

 

In the second decade of the 21st century, the congregation was enriched by members from a diversity of countries.  The introduction of an outreach program of English conversation acknowledged the changing nature of the local population. It is one expression of the church’s mission which also engages directly with the community through the East Burwood Centre and the Playgroup.

‘The thought provoking messages on the highway ‘wayside pulpit’ signboard are seen by many passers-by and commuters.

 

Notable events which have occurred
in the area include:

1970 – K-Mart became our neighbour; 1978 – the tram linked East Burwood directly to the City;
1999 – Telstra erected a striking white tower on the corner, with a cross that is lit at night.

In 2022 when a pandemic changed the world, the church embraced technology to make worship services publicly available online for those who could access it – both congregation members and others.  The restrictions imposed did not diminish the strength of the congregation’s  caring for each other and those around them, which was maintained despite the limitations on meeting together.

 

After 167 years
the church fellowship continues to engage with the community
of East Burwood and beyond.

Old Church with New

 burwood heights uniting church 3

 

 

 

 

 

Acknowledgements to Helen Blakemore, David Street, Laurie Rush and Barry Horn
Site Editor, Lorraine James