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Aidan, a 7th Century Irish monk from
Iona, took the Christian message to the Scots and the northern English.
St Aidan’s North Balwyn sees itself as a missionary church in the
spirit of Aidan. The bell (cast in 1879), in its landmark tower, was a
gift from the Scottish island of Greater Cumbrae. The picture of St
Aidan was painted by Melanie
Rashleigh.
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The hill, where St Aidan’s stands,
was occupied long before white settlement. A river gum with a
commemorative stone, was planted in 2000 to recognise the Wurundjeri
people as the traditional owners and custodians of the land. |
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The Church was opened in 1965. It
was designed by architect Roderick I Macdonald in conjunction with the
Minister, the Rev L.O.C. White. It is planned in the shape of an
inverted
ship. The uncluttered space created in unadorned brick, timber and
concrete and the sense of light inside greatly enhance the aura of
worship. |
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The adjoining Church Centre
acts as both a Narthex
to the church itself and
also as a meeting, entertainment, education and social centre.
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A history of the
early days of
the parish is
available from
the Church Office.
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The Baptistry Window,
in cut, 25mm thick coloured French glass, was made by Gabriel
Loire in the city of Chartres.
A century-old Pipe Organ from New Zealand,
restored to its
former glory, crowns the west-end choir gallery. |
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A view of the peaceful Memorial
Garden. A
Memorial Book is displayed in the Church.
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