Kangaroo Ground, VIC - Presbyterian

History and Architecture:

From 1843 to 1853 the Rev Gunn conducted church services at regular intervals in the Donaldson's barn in Kangaroo Ground. The school was closely associated with the Church as officially it was Kangaroo Ground Presbyterian Church School No. 27. By 1853 the name had changed to Scots Church School and by 1854 to Church of Scotland School.

The first formal step to establishing the present church building was in 1872. Mr John Donaldson, son of Mr James Donaldson, donated a quarter acre of land for a new church. The Church records note the original Pulpit Bible (Footnote 9) that the Deed of Conveyance cost £8.18.6.

The building was designed by the architect Mr Charles Maplestone. It was built in 1878 by Mr Self using hand-made bricks and a slate roof. A Celtic Cross surmounted the front gable.

The church of handmade bricks buttressed on both long sides, with a slate roof and a Celtic cross on top of the front gable has changed little since then. The carved wooden pulpit and 18 pews are original and in fine condition. The cathedral style ceiling is fully lined with tongue and groove pine boards and the floor is also of pine. The walls have arched oblong leadlight windows. One window has stained glass commemorating Mrs Jessie Agnes Cameron and her ancestors, the pioneering Bell family.

It was consecrated by Rev A D Kinninmont at a special service held on 9 June 1878.