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St Andrew's History

In 2007 we celebrate 150 Years of Presbyterian and Uniting Church 
Services and Ministry in Berwick

 

St Andrews church has a long and colorful history dating back to 1856, one hundred and fifty years.   The original church building was constructed in 1885, is heritage listed was 120 years old in 2005. Below is a short history of St Andrews Church.

The photo shows the township of Berwick in 1877 with the first wooden church building at the top of the hill, the present site of 
St Andrew's. 
(From Early Days of Berwick by N E Beaumont)

1856

First Presbyterian Church service held in Narre Warren under the ministry of Rev. Alexander Duff of Cranbourne. Rev Duff's ministry of nearly 20 years extended from Dandenong, Cranbourne to Pakenham and as far south as Lang Lang.

1857

Services of worship was transferred to a hut in the vicinity of "Braeside" on Clyde Rd.

1858

Rev. Duff and Mr Gardiner secured a land grant of 1.5 acres (approx 0.5 hectare) for Church purposes on the top of Berwick Hill, the present site.  A small wooden church was erected on this site and was used jointly with the Anglicans.

1876

The fledgling congregation of Berwick issued its first call to Rev W. Lockhart Morton a student minister who had just completed his theological studies.  The Rev Morton was Berwick's first full time Presbyterian minister.  A committee of management was appointed consisting of James Buchanan, Robert Buchanan, James Gibb, Walter Stewart, James Wilson and J.W. Burns.

1877

The church congregation AGM voted unanimously in favour of constructing a new brick church building. 

1881

Rev John Martin was called and it was during his settlement that a new church building was erected and served the church until 1888.  Rev Martin was trained for the ministry in the Church of Scotland and was minister of Paisley Church in Scotland with a membership of 1700.

1883

Architects Reed, Henderson and Smart were authorised to accept a tender of $1,994. The original plans had a steeple which was removed due to economic reasons.  Bricks at the time cost $3.85 per thousand.

1885

The present church building was completed costing $1,994 with the congregation taking on a massive loan of $1,228.  At the time this was a crippling burden of debt on the congregation. Minutes at the time refer to the debt as "the Niagara of debt", however this was reduced to $300 by 1890 which was still a significant amount and was still a burden.

1889

The Rev R.W Rock was called and the congregation of Berwick was united with Cranbourne.  In a report by Rev Rock he is quoted as saying "Down the avenue of years we think we can see a day when with trembling hand we shall write: Liability Nil."

1914

The Hon. James Buchanan MLC bequeathed his residence, "Burr Hill" and seven acres for a Presbyterian Manse.  This was the church manse until 1941 when the property was sold and a manse constructed on the same site as the church.

1915

The Rev W. S. Whiteside, an Ulster man from Belfast was inducted and first Presbyterian Session was elected.  The congregation elected into the office of eldership James Richardson, L.D. Beaumont, L.D. Ogilvy and A.W. Mackie

1937

The congregation celebrated the 80th anniversary of the first service held at "Braeside" and officially adopted the name St Andrew's.

1941

A congregational meeting approved the sale of the "Burr Hill" property so that a new manse could be constructed on the church site.

1926

A timber Sunday School hall was constructed next to the church building. This building consisted of a hall with stage, kitchen and meeting rooms and was the venue for many church concerts PFA, youth and other activities.  The hall was demolished in 1999 to make way for a new fellowship room and foyer.

1942 A manse on the church site was constructed.  This was a weather board construction.
1957

The congregation celebrated the first one hundred years of Presbyterian ministry in Berwick.

1973

Building of first porch and brick classroom block at the rear of the church was completed.  The porch was a gift from Mr W.R Brunt and family in memory of Mrs Gwen Brunt, granddaughter of Rev John Martin.

1977

The congregation of St Andrews votes to join with the Methodists and Congregationalists to be part of The Uniting Church in Australia, and adopting the name St Andrews Uniting Church.  The Rev Tom Waters is called.

1983 Construction of a new brick veneer manse was completed next to the church.
1985

The congregation of St Andrews is linked with Officer, Narre Warren North, Hampton Park and Doveton Hallam in the "Parish of Berwick Doveton-Hallam" under the ministry of Rev Peter Gaydor-White and Rev Paul Mayfield.

1990

St Andrews Childcare, a 35 place childcare centre was completed and opened.  The building was funded by a State Government grant of $250,000.  This center was the brain child of Mrs Joyce Begg.

Architectural consultant Michael Zerbst was engaged to design the center and a building committee of church members formed to manage the construction phase with Mr Len Evans appointed Project Manager and Ed Oliver and sons the builder.

1995

The ministry team for the Parish of Berwick Doveton Hallam was increased to three full time ministers with Rev Dr Tony Floyd responsible for Berwick and Officer, Rev Katherine Richards responsible for Hampton Park and Doveton Hallam and Rev Graeme Ness responsible for Narre Warren North.  It was later this year that the Doveton Hallam Uniting church closed and the property sold with the proceeds being divided between Berwick, Narre Warren North and Hampton Park.  It was these funds that made the new Fellowship Room and Foyer extensions to St Andrews possible.

1998

The Rev Tony Floyd departed accepting a call to Camberwell.  The congregation at this time was struggling maintain numbers and was in receipt of a Synod support grant to stay financially viable, going through a period of eighteen months of supply ministry.

Under the leadership of Mr Len Evans and his dream to extend the church, integrating all the building on the site, a congregational meeting was called to discuss various ideas. The meeting voted to engage the architect Phillip Harmer to come up with a design that would meet most of the requirements identified within very strict budget guidelines.

In October the congregation voted to proceed with the construction of the new foyer and fellowship room costing $325,000 and committed to take on a loan of $70,000.  However, these plans were nearly crushed by objections from the National Trust and Casey Council's Heritage Advisor. After some frantic lobbying of Casey Council and the support of Cr Norma McCausland an unconditional planning permit was granted enabling the project to proceed.

1999

The design after some modification was accepted and put out to tender.  Rawlings Construction won the tender and commenced construction in September 1999.

The Rev Ineke Gyles was appointed by Presbytery for a three year "Intentional Interim Ministry". The St Andrews and Officer congregations are separated from Hampton Park and Narre Warren North to form the Parish of Greater Berwick.

2000 New Church foyer and fellowship room was completed costing $325,000.
2003 The loan of $70,000 was completely paid off due to the efforts of the congregation.
2006 Rev Ineke Gyles "Intentional Interim Ministry" concluded.

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For feedback about this Web Site Email Russell Patterson Last Updated
29 January 2008