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Giving thanks for the history of 130 years
of combined Christian Witness in North Balwyn
Trinity and St. Aidan’s
now
North Balwyn Uniting Church

TRINITY

It is with joy and thanksgiving that we celebrate today the 70th anniversary of the founding of the North Balwyn Methodist Church.

In February 1940, the founding Trustees of the North Balwyn Methodist Church (as part of the Canterbury Circuit) set about responding to the local needs for a Methodist Church. The Foundation stone was laid on 30 August and the church opened on Advent Sunday, 30th November 1941 when Rev. Eric Nye was Superintendant of the Canterbury Circuit.

With two services each Sunday the initial congregation quickly set about forming a Ladies Guild, Choir, and Sunday school all in the first month. A young Peoples Fellowship was formed in 1942 and a branch of Women’s Auxiliary for Overseas Missions followed.

Other groups involving the church membership were :- younger women’s Friendship Group and NBM Cricket Club in 1949, Boys Club and Netball Club in 1954. The Sunday school grew from 111 in June 1950, to 264 by the end of 1953, and to over 500 after the Youth Centre opened in 1956. With this extra space, a Girl’s Gym club was formed. Without a community centre available for teenage girls, the Rays Club was reformed in 1961 and met on Friday nights. That year the NBM Football team joined the competition. The newer church was opened in 1962 to continue the tradition of service to such a large congregation. After church union, the two congregations set up the Unicare community centre, and also formed the joint Ladies Fellowship which continues a strong bond within the newly combined congregations.

We honour the dedicated ministers who over the last 70 years have lead the former Methodist flock, nurtured them, inspired them and proclaimed the Christian Gospel.
1941 – 1942  Rev. Eric Nye
1942 – 1945  Rev. Horton H. Williams
1946 – 1947  Rev. William H. Guard
1947 – 1948  Rev. Raymond C. Mclean
1949 – 1953  Rev. Ernest G. Lechte
1954 – 1961  Rev. Harry G. Mackay
1962 – 1968  Rev. Alfred E. Mckay
1969 – 1973  Rev. C. Bruce Richards
1974 – 1983  Rev. N. Eric Derbyshire
1984 – 1989  Rev. Robert W. Gribben
1990 – 1997  Rev. Peter D. Blackwood
1997 – 2002  Rev. Randall Prior
2003 – 2010  Rev. Dr Paul Tonson

Not listed hear are the retired ministers and Ministers in Association who not only worshipped as part of the congregation but provided pastoral service and assisted the Minister of the day. The councils of the Congregation and the Minister have benefited from their experience and wise counsel. We are glad that a few descendants of those who tirelessly worked for the ongoing development of Trinity are able to celebrate this anniversary.
Hugo Goetze



ST AIDAN’S

It is with joy and thanksgiving that we celebrate today the 60th anniversary of the founding of St Aidan’s Presbyterian Church.

Today’s congregation is the beneficiary of the faith and inspiration of a small group of laymen who gathered together in a private home to explore the possibility of bringing together a community of like minded people who wanted to worship and witness their faith in the Presbyterian tradition.

They were aided and supported by Ministers of the faith, who brought their unique talents and experiences to build what became St Aidan’s Presbyterian Church in North Balwyn.

From a private home to the old Church on the corner of Tormey and Chelmsford Streets to the present building in Duggan Street, the church is one of significant importance in our community. The present building was dedicated to St Aidan, a saintly missionary who carried on the work of St Columba who organised his community to send out people to spread the Christian faith.

We remember today the Ministers who have been called and followed in his footsteps. Ministers who have served the congregation of St Aidan’s and honour them for their thoughtful and searching interpretation of the Christian message.
1951 - 52  Rev. Keith McC. Dowding
1952 - 53  Rev. Hamilton W. J. Aikin
1953         Rev. John Armour
1953 - 55  Rev. Hamilton W. J. Aikin and Rev. F. W. Cunningham
1955 - 66  Rev. L. O. C. (Bill)  White
1967 - 69  Rev. Gordon F.G. Kerry
1969 - 74  Rev. Maxwell J. L. Griffiths MBE
1974 - 77  Rev. Sydney S. Smale
1977 - 86  Rev. Neil E. Key
1988 - 98  Rev. Ravanel N. Weinman
2000 - 09  Rev. Dr. Lorraine J. Parkinson
2010 -       Rev. Anneke Oppewal

We also remember today those Ministers within the congregation who have given of their time and friendship in pastoral service; and importantly those families, some of whom, and whose descendants, are with us today for their sense of purpose, and for initiative and energy they engendered to found the Presbyterian Church of St Aidan in North Balwyn 60 years ago.

Enid Williamson

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The members of the former Trinity Church and former St. Aidan’s Church join as the whole congregation of the North Balwyn Uniting Church to give thanks for the faithful work of those who founded and nurtured the body of Christ through their faith and witness.

We the members of the UC in North Balwyn pay tribute today
to those who founded Trinity Methodist church 70 years ago and
St Aidan’s Presbyterian church 60 years ago.

Their vision and faith led to the development of two vibrant congregations
providing not only centres of worship but also centres of community growth.
We pledge ourselves today to build on the traditions of the past and
to go forward in faith looking for new ways to serve God in this place.

 George McLean