THE PCEA in Melbourne

 

The PCEA was founded in Sydney in 1846 in the aftermath of the Disruption of the Established Church of Scotland in 1843 which involved the forming of the Free Church of Scotland. In Melbourne the first Christian minister was the Rev James Forbes (1813-51) who ministered in Scots Church from early 1838. He withdrew in 1846 and formed the Free Presbyterian Church which was in fellowship with the PCEA but separately organised because of the problems of distance etc. [Sydney is 600 miles/900 kms from Melbourne and in those days was a difficult journey indeed.] In 1859 most Presbyterians in Victoria united at some compromise, and ultimately only the East St Kilda Free Presbyterian Church was left, along with another in Geelong and a charge in the Western District at Hamilton. These united with the like-minded PCEA in 1953.

Knox Presbyterian Church began as a result of the relocation of part of the small congregation at East St Kilda which had existed since 1855. Rev Rowland Ward had become the 6th minister of the congregation in June 1984 when there were only a handful of folk. A portion of the old property was subdivided and sold, and new premises erected in the eastern suburban heartland where little Reformed witness existed. The new church at Wantirna within the City of Knox was opened on 28 February 1987, and the adjoinng manse six months later.

Later the balance of the East St Kilda property (cnr Alma Road & Chapel Street) was sold, and an extension work begun at Narre Warren in the south east about 40kms from the city. A church building on the corner of Narre Warren North and Prospect Hill Roads was erected in 1990. Rev Trevor Leggot, ministered at Narre Warren 1989-92. On 13 February 1998 The Rev George Ball, formerly of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland, was inducted, the worked continued to grow. It became a separate parish at the beginning of 1999 and is now virtually self-supporting. George and Rhoda Ball's telephone number is 9705 1505.

Meanwhile, services have also been maintained closer in to the CBD at a building purchased in 1990 on the corner of Grange Road and Wattle Ave, Glen Huntly about 12km SE of the CBD near Glen Huntly Railway station. Since October 2001, Rev Ian McKenzie and his wife Alina have been caring for this small centre, actively contacting international students. Telephone number is 9571-0855.

Knox Presbyterian Church is not a large Congregation at present but is privileged to provide significant support to Mission work in Australia and overseas and to extension efforts. It has a desire to see another parish planted in Melbourne, probably in the western suburbs. The churches in the Presbytery, which includes UIverstone on Tasmania's north west coast, are overall better placed than for many years.