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Moonta Uniting Church Celebrates 150 years
Posted in Faith
A special Thanksgiving Service was held on Sunday 4th August to celebrate 150 years since the Moonta Wesleyan Methodist (now Uniting) Church was officially opened on 2nd and 3rd August 1874.
The Church Council chairman, Doug Warmington, welcomed everyone from the high pulpit. Many old Methodist hymns were a highlight of the service, accompanied by organist Lorraine Burford, with prayers and the Bible reading read by long-standing lay preachers Roger Norris-Green, Doug Warmington, Gordon Woods, Christine Thornton and Marlene Thatcher, as well as current ministers, Rev Sandy Webb and Rev June Ladner.
A brief history of the church and its people over the 150 years was read by Anita Woods and a solo was sung by Craig Woodward, accompanied by pianist Coralynne Jones. Special guest preacher for the occasion was the Moderator for the Uniting Church in South Australia, Rev Peter Morel.
The first Wesleyan Chapel in the township of Moonta had been built on the Robert Street site, facing Queen Square, in February 1867, and extended in 1870, but was still too small, so the present larger church was built. The architect for this grand Gothic-style building was Rowland Rees, CE, JP. Building contractors were Rossiter and Davies, with Nettleton and Thorne. History leaflets were given to those attending the service and are still available.
After the service those present moved into the hall (the original chapel) for afternoon tea. A special welcome was given to the past ministers who were able to attend, to past members and to guests from other churches. Amongst those present was Mrs Jenn Beckmann, a direct descendant of Samuel Rossiter, the third Moonta Mayor and one of the church’s builders. Greetings were given by Rev Sue Ellis, the chair of the Wimala Presbytery of the Uniting Church, Rev Diane Holden, and Acting Mayor Mr Peter Simms.
The anniversary cake was cut by Mrs Gwen Elsworthy, who spoke about her association with this church since her Sunday School days.
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