Site 57 Methodist Church

1 - 3 Sands Avenue

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The first Methodist service was conducted by Mr. J. C. Jennison from Dimboola in John Hankins Blacksmith shop on Sunday 3rd of August, 1890 with 14 people in attendance. The Blacksmith’s anvil was used as the pulpit.

The land along Sands Avenue (known as Pine Rise) was formally owned by John Scott Peterson who decided that the land along this area should be reserved for public buildings. The corner site now occupied by the Uniting Church and Hall was allotted to the Methodist Church.

The first trustees were: James C Jennison (Chairman), Edward Bottle, Alexander Laing, George Prosser and William H Ross.

The trustees took possession of this land on the 8th of December 1891, but there is no clear indication as to when the first church building was erected.

In 1924, the congregation decided to build a new church to seat 250 people at a cost of £2,060. On the 16th of August 1925, Mr James Menzies, a Member of Parliament and a former trustee, used an inscribed silver trowel to lay the foundation stone of the new church. The opening service was held on the 14th of March 1926, conducted by Rev. J.F.W. Parker. The old church was used as a Sunday School and Hall until a new Hall was built in 1962.

In 1977 the Methodist Church and the Presbyterian Church combined to create the Jeparit Uniting Church.

Disclaimer: All information contained on these pages has been prepared over years of research from a small local volunteer group. The information is correct to the best of our knowledge. We always welcome suggestions for corrections or further information to add to the heritage sites. Please forward any comments to info@hindmarsh.vic.gov.au.