Sarah Oliver
The gold rush, an infamous bushranger, two world wars and a period of debt – the Melton Christ Church Anglican Parish celebrates it all and much more, marking 150 years of service this Sunday February 13.
Reverend Neil Taylor took on his role the same day the state went into lockdown in 2020 and quickly learnt to pivot.
“It is an older congregation,” he said.
As with changes throughout the church’s history, Rev. Taylor brought services to his congregation online, including the installation of two large TV’s to support his sermons.
The updated building with live-streaming is a far cry from what the church was in its hay-day.
Parish historian Carolyn MacGavin has done extensive research on the church and the building.
“The history of the site of the Anglican Church in Melton goes back to the earliest beginnings of Melbourne itself,” she wrote.
Although the site of the church on Unitt Street is the same, the building was destroyed in the late 1980s due to being unsafe.
The land was first set aside for the church in 1851 with the church gradually being built until 1867 when they were out of funds and without a roof.
“When more money was found, it was completed, ready for an opening service in January 1869, services being held there till Bishop Perry himself officially consecrated it in January, 1872,” Ms MacGavin wrote.
One of the most bizarre moments in the church’s history is the four services conducted by bushranger Captain Moonlite, AKA Lay Preacher, who’s real name was Andrew George
Scott.
He then made a “sudden departure” to Sydney.
The current building finished construction in 1985, but not without causing some debt.
“Sometime in 1983 this parish went into debt to the tune of $228,404,” Ms MacGavin wrote.
“Thirty-eight years later the debt was paid off and, on the 4th December 2011, Archbishop Philip Freier consecrated the building in God’s name.”
An original stained glass window from 1903 still resides in the church, which was created by those who made some of the windows in St Paul’s Cathedral.
“After 150 years on this site, we look for many more years yet to serve,” Rev. Taylor said.
