Cowes, VIC - St John's Uniting

Year Built: 1975

Denomination: Uniting

Saint: John

Address: 86 Chapel Street, Cowes, Victoria, 3922

Previous Denomination: Presbyterian

Architect: Unknown

Traditional Owners: Bunurong people

Last Updated: 24/03/2022

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History and Architecture:

In 1869, soon after the town was surveyed, this section of land was granted to the Presbyterian Church. Church Services began before Christmas 1889. These services were held in the open air, according to Mr. Robb, under a gum tree, though some years later an elderly member of the church and of its Board of Management reported that she could remember early services being conducted under a pine tree.

The original wooden church, now the hall, was built in 1895. The annexe, separated from the main hall by timber folding doors, was added in 1929. The modern church was completed in 1975.

Architect, Mr. Paul Archibald was commissioned to prepare sketch plans for a new church.

A sum of $25,000 was assigned to an estimated cost. Mr. Archibald had recently returned from Expo in Japan where he had been able to observe and study modern architecture. The plans for the roof of St. John's known as Hyperbolic Parabola, were evolved from those studies. This magnificent roof structure is not only the focal point of St. John's, but also an outstanding landmark in the township of Cowes.

The new Church was dedicated on June 29th 1975.

Clergy:

This list may not contain every serving cleric, past or present, for this church.
Further submissions welcomed.

Years	Name	Annotation	D.o.D
1890 - 1901	Dr A. Robb	P
1901 - 1905	Mr Alex Robb	P
1901 - 1905	Mr David Robb	P
1905 - 1906	Rev J. C. Johnstone	P
1906 - 1914	Mr Alex Robb	P
1917 - 1920	Mr L Hume	P
1920 - 1921	Mr D. Leisk	P
1921 - 1924	Mr H. Ashmore	P
1924 - 1927	Mr R. Nicholson	P
1927 - 1928	Rev H. L. Balke	P
1928 - 1934	Rev James Raff	P
1934 - 1936	Rev F. E. Yeaman	P
1936 -	Rev J. King	P
1936 - 1938	Rev H. E. Hunt	P
1938 - 1939	Rev G. M. Connor	P
1939 - 1940	Rev H. E. Hunt	P
1940 - 1942	Rev G. M. Connor	P
1942 - 1943	Mr F. J. Sellwood	P
1943 - 1944	Mr W. H. Rae	P	1944
1944 - 1945	Mr C. Robinson	P
1945 - 1949	Rev T. Worsley Maguire	P
1949 - 1950	Rev L. J. French	P
1950 - 1953	Mr C. Harrison	P
1953 -	Mr G. Johnson	P
1953 - 1955	Mr M. Williams	P
1955 - 1958	Mr K. Williams	P
1958 - 1964	Mr M. Campbell	P
1964 - 1967	Mr W. Armstrong	P
1967 - 1970	Mr D. J. Reekie	P
1970 - 1976	Mr J. Borninkhog	P
1976 - 1979	Rev A. Macdonald	U
1979 - 1981	Rev O. Lutz	U
1979 - 1981	Rev A. Blomquist	Asst
1981 - 1982	Rev H. Prins	U
1982 - 1987	Rev Dr R. Abba	U
1982 - 1987	Rev Hilda Abba	U

Organ:

The organ, a Conn Martinique, was purchased in 2008 from the Warragul Theatre Organ Society.

Source:

1. Church Website
2. A Century of Reformed Evangelical Worship. LH 287.930994 CEN