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.B 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