Union Church (Australia)

In Australia, a Union Church is a church building owned and maintained by a local trust and available to multiple denominations.

Such churches were once common in rural areas.[1] Some were available to all denominations and even to other religions, others specified particular beliefs, such as the Nicene Creed. A few still exist and are in regular use.

Existing Union Churches

Araluen Union Church

There is a Union Church at Araluen. It was built, in 1911, on land donated by William Mundy, on the condition that the building could be used by any denomination. It is used currently for Anglican and Uniting services on alternating weeks.[2]

Caloola Union Church

In Caloola, New South Wales, this is still maintained by a Trust, and has a historic cemetery. [3][4] It opened and was dedicated in 1865.

As of 2020, four interdenomenational Sunday services are conducted each year, with clergy from several denominations attending each.

Queensland

In Queensland, union churches are often titled using words such as "non-denominational", "undenominational", "united" and "community".

Historic Union Churches

Girilambone Union Church

A Union Church was opened at Girilambone, New South Wales, in January 1913.[5][6] It was in use until at least the mid 1930s.[7]

Larbert Union Church

There was a Union Church building at Larbert, New South Wales, from around 1878 to some time in the 1970s. All that remains are its steps, foundations and the adjoining cemetery.[8][9][10][11]

Renmark West Union Church

Made from the union of the Presbyterian, Methodist and Congregational Churches. The Church began operating in June 1918 in the Renmark West School with Rev. E. W. Sanders (Methodist) and Rev. A. E. Francis (Congregational) and built their own Church on donated land, starting on November 6th 1919 and opened on October 31st, 1920. The Church continues operating today under the Uniting Church of Australia and celebrated its Centenary in November 2019. Services are conducted by the Renmark/Loxton resident Minister every Sunday at 8:30am.

References
  1. "History | Mangrove Mountain Union Church". mmuchurch.org.au. Retrieved 2016-09-11.
  2. "Union Church Araluen". www.anglicanparishofbraidwood.com. Retrieved 2021-05-05.
  3. "Caloola Union Church Cemetery in Bathurst, New South Wales - Find a Grave Cemetery".
  4. "Caloola Union Churchyard, Caloola, New South Wales, Australia | BillionGraves Cemetery and Images".
  5. "Girilambone". Western Herald. XLIX (84). New South Wales, Australia. 25 January 1913. p. 5. Retrieved 5 November 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. "THE CHURCHES". The Daily Telegraph (10, 510). New South Wales, Australia. 30 January 1913. p. 4. Retrieved 5 November 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. "PURELY PERSONAL". Macleay Argus. 1935-08-27. Retrieved 2021-12-03.
  8. "PAST HISTORY OF THE CHURCH". Braidwood Review and District Advocate (NSW : 1915 - 1954). 1948-12-14. p. 1. Retrieved 2021-01-16.
  9. Maddrell, Roslyn. Braidwood District, Post Office and People. Braidwood, N.S.W. pp. 160, 206.
  10. "Arnprior | NSW Environment, Energy and Science". www.environment.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 2021-01-21.
  11. "Australian Cemeteries Index - Cemetery 1690 - Larbert". austcemindex.com. Retrieved 2021-01-21.
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