Uniting History SA

24/06/2026

On this day - June 24 - in 1860, the Bethel Bible Christian Church in Kooringa (Burra) was opened. This church was (almost) demolished in 1909 - the demolition was completed in 1930.
(The story of the demolition difficulties - along with photos of the attempted demolition - can be found in our October 2023 newsletter -https://historicalsociety.unitingchurch.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Newsletter-202309-Online.pdf )

This photo is part of our collection. It was taken by R. S. Stacey of North Adelaide, but we don't know when (before 1909 at least).

Do you have any memories, stories, information or photographs of the Kooringa (Burra) Church that you would be prepared to share with us to add to our collection? We'd love to hear from you if you do.


https://historicalsociety.unitingchurch.org.au/on-this-day/

23/06/2026

On this day - June 23 - in 1926 - W Stone of Willowie (former superintendent of the Sunday School) laid the foundation stone of the Redhill Methodist Hall.

This drawing of the Church and Hall (at the back of the church) was drawn for the cover of history booklet for the church's centenary in 1973. The artist is unknown.

Do you have any memories, stories, information or photographs of the Redhill Church that you would be prepared to share with us to add to our collection? We'd love to hear from you if you do.


https://historicalsociety.unitingchurch.org.au/on-this-day/

22/06/2026

On this day - June 22 - in 1862, the Wallaroo Mines Primitive Methodist church opened. It was built next to the Wallaroo Mines school. After it stopped being a church (possibly around Methodist Union), the building was used as a picture theatre until the 1920s when it was demolished.

This is a photo we have in our collection - the church roof and back wall can be seen behind the school. The State Library of South Australia has a clearer photo of the church itself at https://collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/resource/B+29303

Do you have any memories, stories, information or photographs of the Wallaroo Mines Church that you would be prepared to share with us to add to our collection? We'd love to hear from you if you do.


https://historicalsociety.unitingchurch.org.au/on-this-day/

21/06/2026

On this day - June 21 - in 1887, Mrs A. D. Bennett laid the foundation stone for the Bordertown Wesleyan Church (now Bordertown Uniting Church).

The first photo shows the church before many extensions and modifications were made (date and photographer are unknown). The remaining photos were taken by Leanne Davis in July 2025, showing extensions and additions, and the original foundation stone, now on display in the foyer of the church.

Do you have any memories, stories, information or photographs of the Bordertown Church that you would be prepared to share with us to add to our collection? We'd love to hear from you if you do.

You might also like to join us next month on our virtual drive down the Duke's - https://www.facebook.com/events/1738403797888591/ - we will visit Bordertown as the end-point of our trip.


https://historicalsociety.unitingchurch.org.au/on-this-day/

20/06/2026

On this day - June 20 - in 1983, the Clarendon Oddfellows Hall (in Clarendon) was opened. This hall was used by the Wesleyan congregation in Clarendon as it was establishing itself.

Do you have any memories, stories, information or photographs of the Oddfellows Hall or the Clarendon Church that you would be prepared to share with us to add to our collection? We'd love to hear from you if you do.

On this day… This is a growing and developing calendar of celebrations and commemorations in the life of the Uniting Church (and Methodist, Presbyterian, and Congregational Churches) in South Australia since 1836. It offers us a chance to remember the ‘great cloud of witnesses‘ that have gone ...

19/06/2026

On this day - June 19 - in 1904, the Ward's Hill Methodist Church was opened. The church closed in 1955, and has slowly succumbed to nature.

These photos are both from our collection. The first was taken in 2004 by Glen Edwards, and the second was taken by Leanne Davis in 2023. One wall was all that was left of the church building.

Do you have any memories, stories, information or photographs of the Ward's Hill Church that you would be prepared to share with us to add to our collection? We'd love to hear from you if you do.


https://historicalsociety.unitingchurch.org.au/on-this-day/

18/06/2026

On this day - June 18 - in 1854, the Shipley Congregational church was opened.

Not much is known of this church. In our collection, we do have these handwritten notes giving a brief outline of Shipley's history. These notes were written by the Rev. J. R. Digance, a congregational minister in South Australia.

Do you have any memories, stories, information or photographs of the Shipley Church that you would be prepared to share with us to add to our collection? We'd love to hear from you if you do.


https://historicalsociety.unitingchurch.org.au/on-this-day/

Information from the Campbelltown Council tells us that the village of Shipley was built to house the works for the Thorndon Park Reservoir (near Athelstone)

17/06/2026

On this day - June 17 - in 1883, the West Adelaide Bible Christian Chapel in Mile End was opened. This little church was later replaced by the Holder Memorial Church. The original stone chapel is now home to the Handspinners and Weavers Guild of South Australia.

This is a photo of the first stone chapel taken from a history booklet produced for the church's centenary in 1983. The date and photographer are unknown (although it was likely taken around 1983).

Do you have any memories, stories, information or photographs of the Mile End Church that you would be prepared to share with us to add to our collection? We'd love to hear from you if you do.


https://historicalsociety.unitingchurch.org.au/on-this-day/

16/06/2026

On this day - June 16 - in 1919, the foundation stone for the Woolford Memorial Congregational Church in Sedan was laid by the Rev. W Penry Jones).

This is a photo we have in our collection - the date and the photographer are unknown.

Do you have any memories, stories, information or photographs of the Sedan Church that you would be prepared to share with us to add to our collection? We'd love to hear from you if you do.


https://historicalsociety.unitingchurch.org.au/on-this-day/

15/06/2026

On this day - June 15 - in 1912, the Medindie Congregational Church Sunday school building was opened.

We don't have a photo of the Sunday School building in our collection, but we do have one of the Sunday School in 1908 (the photographer is unknown).

Do you have any memories, stories, information or photographs of the Medindie Church that you would be prepared to share with us to add to our collection? We'd love to hear from you if you do.

https://historicalsociety.unitingchurch.org.au/on-this-day/