Ministers since 1959
1959 Rev Roy Merritt
1960-62 Mr Neville Place (student)
1962-65 Mr Alistair Hopkins (student)
1965-67 Vacant charge
1967-69 Rev Dr Wilfred Paton
1969-77 Rev Robert Johnson
1978-82 Rev Dr Ed Norton
1982-87 Rev Dr Reg Mathews
1987-95 Rev Theo Fishwick
1996- Present Rev Don Elliott
1959-1999: 40 Years of History of Eltham Presbyterian Church
Celebrated on 28th March 1999
Presbyterianism in the shire of Eltham began in 1851 when ten Scotch Presbyterian families arrived from Scotland believing that the one thing that they most desired in their new land was a place to worship God.
The hills of Kangaroo Ground reminded them of the hills of their homeland and from then until this day, worship has been conducted every Sabbath at Kangaroo Ground. It was from this stable and faithful congregation that an elder of long standing Mr David Graham approached Mr Alistair Knox in 1957 to consider whether a Presbyterian cause could be possible at Eltham.
On March 2nd and also March 30th 1958, meetings were held at the home of Alistair and Margot Knox at York St, Eltham under the chairmanship of the Convener of Home Missions, the Rev. Maclean Shugg, for the purpose of forming an official congregation.
On April 2nd, the same year, a meeting was held at the Knox home. The Kangaroo Ground Elders and their wives attended also Mr. Knox, Mr. Russell and Mr Genger from the Eltham district. These three were elected to form a provisional committee, an essential, if they wished to form a congregation. The Director of Home Missions informed the meeting that land had been set aside by the Presbyterian Church of Victoria in Batman Road and also a sum of 220 pounds towards the erection of a building.
Mr Genger offered his home in nearby Bible Street for Sunday services until a general purpose church hall could be built. It was decided to meet each Sunday at 10am for Sunday school and 11am for church at his address. A letter from Presbytery declared that Eltham had been officially declared a congregation on May 10th 1958. Preliminary plans for a building, using Mt Gambier stone, was submitted and agreed to on June 11th 1958. Messrs Borland and Trewenack were appointed to act as supervising architects.
All Purpose Hall Built.
The general purpose hall, was duly completed
and officially opened on March 22nd 1959. The same building is now our
church with only a small extension at the front. A tender price for the
Hall of 3200 pounds was agreed to on October 12th. 1958. Alistair
Knox & Associates were the designers and builders.
First Minister Appointed
to Eltham and Kangaroo Grounds Churches
Rev. Roy Merritt, who was the vice Principal
of the Melbourne Bible Institute at this time, was appointed interim
moderator and part time pastor. The first service was conducted with
Mrs Merritt playing a folding pedal organ and an extension lead, for
electricity was taken to the neighbours, Mr and Mrs Ted Howard's next
door, to make a cup of tea after the service. All the neighbours
were very supportive of a Church in their street and would help in
numerous ways.
Mr Max Watson and Mr Alistair Knox were the first two Elders appointed from the eleven communicant members.
Kangaroo Ground and
Eltham Combine
At this time, the Kangaroo Ground congregation
was severed from Yarra Glen and became part of the newly-formed
Eltham-Kangaroo Ground congregation.
More Land Bought.
A block of land north of the church property
was purchased from a neighbour Mr Ted Howard, for 12,000 pounds with
the thought of building a manse, a loan was arranged and a simple
building erected.
Student Ministers.
Rev Merritt was with us for about one year and
with his departure, there occurred a succession of interim moderators
and Student Ministers.
Neville Place........1960--1962
The first student minister was Mr Neville Place who was installed in
January, 1960. He had a young family. Neville, his wife Val and their
children, endeared themselves to the congregation with lasting warmth.
Alistair Hopkins 1962----1965.
Mr Alistair Hopkins followed Neville Place with continued dedication
and warmth to both congregations. Like Neville, he was involved in both
congregations and studied at the Theological College, Alistair was well
appreciated.
Vacancy 1965-1967
Mr Jim Flavel 1967 , who would be entering the Theological college the
following year, was appointed to us for three months. He also, did a
mammoth job like the other students, tending the flock at both churches
and leading us in a closer walk with God. Jim was 53 years old
when God called him into the ministry. He had left an automotive
engineering business to come to Eltham with Jean, and family. Jim
Flavel went on to be called and ordained into the Aspendale parish
where he served until his retirement.
Youth Work Flourished.
The decade of 1960 to 1970 was notable
for the youth work which culminated each year with a camp, the first
one being at Carrum during the Christmas holidays. The following year
the youth camp was at Somers (combined with Kangaroo Ground
Church youth).
This annual event continued on for another 10 years, under the guidance of David and Kath Graham , Shirley Austin, Marion and Peter Huggett and Alistair Knox. Later on Bruce Nixon joined the Youth Leadership.
Dynamic Sunday School.
The Eltham congregation grew slowly. There was a large Sunday
School of about 100 children, mostly from non-churched homes, so
outreach into the community was a priority. The church building at this
time comprised of one room so Sunday School classes were held in a tent
and also in neighbour's garages. One class was held in a station wagon
for a while, most classes were held in the ' all purpose hall ' as we
called the church building at that time.
Out-reach into the
Community.
Twice a year, an out-reach meeting was held in
the old Municipal Hall, with Dave Graham showing a challenging film on
his trusty rattling projector, followed by an evangelical address,
usually by a visiting speaker.
Youth Hall
In 1964 the youth group decided to build a
youth building on the church property. The opportunity occurred when
the Diamond Creek Coffee Lounge became available for purchase and
removal. The removal proved a mammoth task, as the bridges to Eltham
were too narrow. The building was cut into two longitudinal
sections. It was transported to its new site as a dejected heap of
timber walls, corrugated iron, and broken glass. Following many
working bees, the hall was completed. It was paid for and built by the
youth and church members with no draw on church funds.
Interim Moderators.
The first Interim Moderator was Rev. David
Merritt, son of Rev. Roy Merritt our first minister, who was the
Minister at the Templestowe Presbyterian church in 1960. The second was
Rev G. Bucknall in 1960-61 and the Rev M Rainsbury in 1962.
Once again we needed a supply preacher so the Rev W.L Simpson was appointed. He was a colourful man of nearly eighty years of age and could speak in seven languages. He was in the armed services in Gallipoli and then became, British agent No. 29. He was an outstanding scholar and to sit under the teaching of this saintly white headed man was like being with Abraham. He held the youth of the church spell bound and even though he spoke with a whisper, everyone heard him! Rev Simpson stayed with for about one year.
Eltham and Kangaroo
Ground become an Appointment Charge.
Rev Dr Wilfred Paton was invited to fill the
Eltham pulpit. He agreed and so by faith the congregation began a
succession of 'called ' ministers. Dr Paton was the grandson of
the Paton's of the New Hebredes fame. Dr. Paton was not a well man and
after two years he retired and his place was taken by Rev Robert
Johnson
Rev. Robert Johnson was a fresh young, unmarried man, so we found a surge of young people coming to the church. He involved himself with youth work and took classes of Religious Instruction in the local schools. We received Robert Johnson as an exit student and on the completion of his exit year he was called to the parish as our minister.
The Disruption of ‘Church
Union’
The coming of the 1970's brought a formidable
problem to the church with the uniting of the Presbyterian, Methodist
and the Congregational denominations. The Presbyterian Church required
that each church congregation should decide by a ballot whether it
would join this new denomination or remain Presbyterian.
Two thirds of both the churches, Eltham and Kangaroo Ground, voted to go with the Uniting Church and one third decided to remain. Our Minister elected to join the Uniting Church so after June, 1977 we found ourselves with depleted congregations and no minister.
This Was A Time Of
New Beginnings.
At Eltham, with a congregation of less than half the original number
remaining, about 35, a new work was to begin. The Lord met our need
when the Rev Stuart Calder was appointed as a Pastor for a season. His
ministry was loving and concerned for all sections of the congregation,
from the youngest to the oldest and it was matched with remarkable
consistency. He put himself unreservedly at the disposal of the
flock at all times.' (Quoted from A. Knox's book, The Charge,
1959-84)
New Wave of Youth Ministry.
A second youth fellowship was formed under the leadership of Frank Maas
and Robert Boyle. It soon became a strong group of young people with a
vision. A part time ministry was begun under the leadership of Dick
Austin who was studying theology. Many modern social problems were
surfacing in the community that had not even been heard about 10 or 20
years earlier. A house was rented for Dick Austin and many people
blessed by his ministry to the youth of the time.
Mr.David Graham dies.
In 1978, the death of Mr David Graham saw the
end of the 60's ministry but his influence still lingers on in the
minds of those who came under his evangelical ministry. Young
Christians could ask about their walk with God and always get a Bible
based simple and clear answer from him. Dave Graham of Kangaroo Ground
was a very practical and capable man who shared his talents with
others
Rev. Dr. E Norton
1978---1982
A year after the 'union split', it was
decided to call the Rev. Dr Edwin Norton. Dr. Norton came
from the New Hebrides where he had served God for some years. He stayed
with us for five years. Ed and Nell were greatly loved and we
wished them God's blessing as they accepted a call in
1982 to a church in New South Wales.
Rev . Mr.Reg Mathews.
1982---1987
The church had grown, many families relied on
the spiritual haven of the Eltham Presbyterian Church. There was a
maturity in the congregation that followed a line of evangelical
teaching. About this time, Rev. Reg Mathews, who had just
returned home from four years in France with the World Wide
Evangelisation Crusade was available for a call.
Reg Mathews was inducted into the church in 1982 after a vacancy of about 3 months. Reg, Elaine and the family became very dear to us all, Reg taught us how to reach out beyond ourselves and have a mission outlook. Rev. Reg Mathews accepted a call to the Brighton Presbyterian Church in 1987
Mr Alistair Knox dies,
July 1987.
It was a sad day for the Eltham Presbyterian Church when Alistair Knox
died in July 1987. He was one of the founding members of the
congregation and his unswerving enthusiasm and passion for the
spreading of the Gospel affected us all. His love of God's Word and
earnestness in prayer was an example to all that knew him.
His funeral service gave testimony to the effect he had on many people's lives, and the hundreds of people that gathered to give respect and share in the celebration of his life that day supported this.
Rev. Theo
Fishwick.1987---1995
We were vacant for approximately 9 months
prior to us calling Rev. Theo Fishwick who was inducted in 1987. Rev
Fishwick came to us from Millicent, South Australia with his wife, Lyn
and family, also Theo's mother and stepfather. They were a happy
addition to the life of the church. During Rev Fishwick's ministry, he
encouraged Kangaroo Ground to separate from Eltham and call their
own minister. This was done during Theo's ministry with us.
During this time also, a proposal was put to the Melbourne North Presbytery from the Eltham Session for the formation of a congregation at Bundoora. Rev. Scott Lindsay, who was attached to Eltham as a part time assistant to Theo, became the minister of this new work. Scott was also Chaplain at Latrobe University. Two of our families went with him as foundation members of this new church
Theo's last year with us was a very busy one, he had a term as State Moderator which meant he had many calls on his time away from the parish. Rev Fishwick demitted the charge in June 1995 after 9 years. Theo felt called to hospital chaplaincy work with children, he was appointed to the Royal Children's Hospital in 1996 by the Presbyterian Church of Victoria.
The Fishwicks lived in a larger manse purchased in Glen Park Rd. Eltham North. The house in Glenpark Road, on Mr Fishwick's departure was sold and the old manse adjacent to the church was enlarged and renovated.
Rev Don Elliott called,
1996
Rev. Don Elliott who had been without a charge
since returning from the U.S.A. in 1995 was called and inducted on 30th
August 1996. After extensive renovations, Don and Anne moved into the
manse at 23 Batman Road in February 1997.
Reflection
It has been 148 years since those 10 Scotch families arrived in
Kangaroo Ground. We at Eltham are proud to have had a part, even
though only a 40 year part, in the continuation of preaching God's Word
in the Eltham Presbyterian church.
We believe God has blessed the faithfulness of His people here. Nine ministers and supply preachers reaching hundreds of people have faithfully preached God's word. We too, would like to express sincere thanks to all those members of the congregation who have been part of this ministry during the 40 years. Their love, prayers, and fellowship, has made the Eltham Presbyterian Church a special place where all may come to worship God, and enjoy a rich fellowship.
We also wish to give thanks for the many lives that were given to Christ for service, and have moved to various parts of our continent and world.
Finally we wish to pay a tribute to those past ministers and elders who have died and are rejoicing in Heaven with the Saints.
These are…….
Ministers: Rev R.V. Merritt, Rev W. Simpson, Rev N. Place, Rev. S Calder, Rev Dr W Paton and Rev Dr E Norton
Elders: Mr D Graham, Mr A Bevis, Mr A Coombs and Mr A Knox
Summing up
If the stones of these walls could speak, they could tell many stories
of lives changed, times of joy, times of sadness and above all, people
in all these time finding strength and comfort in Gods word and
fellowship and support with his people.
The Past is Important,
It is the Foundation of the Future.
Peter Huggett ( Elder)
28-3-99
