57-472: Clayton Wesley Uniting Church , formerly Clayton Congregational Church , is a Uniting church , located at 280 Portrush Road , Beulah Park , Adelaide , South Australia , Australia. The current building with its tall spire was built was built in 1883, although an earlier building, behind the present church and now known as the Lecture Hall, was built in 1856. The church is located in a commanding position at
114-486: A Methodist local preacher ). Lay preachers are required to participate in training and examinations conducted by each synod, and must be approved by the presbytery. The UCA was one of the first Australian churches to grant self-determination to its indigenous members through the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress. Partnerships exist with South Pacific and Asian churches, especially those which share
171-536: A Congregational, Presbyterian or Methodist heritage. An increasing number of ethnic churches worship in their own languages as well as in English. Five to seven per cent of the membership worship in languages other than English, including Aboriginal languages . The UCA advocates for social justice . It has taken stances on issues such as native title for indigenous people; the environment; apartheid ; refugee status, and safe injection facilities for drug users. The church
228-484: A dozen to hundreds of members. They are the local church, the setting for regular worship (generally on Sundays). Many churches also conduct worship services at other times, such as a monthly weekday service, a late-night service for day-shift workers, a "cafe church", or Friday- or Saturday-evening services. A Meeting of the Congregation must be held at least twice each year. The meetings typically consider and approve
285-502: A major town or city, and the local synod is normally their organisational and funding body. The Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC, sometimes known simply as the Congress), is constitutionally recognised as having responsibility for oversight of church ministry to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people : A Synod may at the request of a Regional Committee of
342-522: A number of presbyteries. Western Australia has a unitary presbytery-synod model. South Australia also had a single presbytery and synod for 15 years, until 2019. These large presbyteries enable groups of congregations to work together, based on geographic location or similar interests or characteristics. Selection of ministerial candidates and the placement of ministers are decided at the presbytery level. There are about 2,000 UCA congregations, with 243,000 members and adherents. Congregations range in size from
399-422: A service there on 21 January 1854. An institute hall was hired for the first public meeting on 2 July 1854, and plans were made for a permanent chapel. The block of land settled on was 150 by 450 feet (46 m × 137 m) on the corner of Kensington Terrace and East Parade, Kensington (now Portrush Road and The Parade, Beulah Park). The foundation stone for the building, which was designed by George Abbott,
456-530: A special church meeting on 21 September 1910 broached the possibility of institutional work in the district. A contract was entered into in 1911 for the erection of a building to cost £1,139. Two stalwarts of the church died: Sir Edwin Smith in December 1919 and Peter Wood two years later, and a pulpit was erected in their memory. On 20 April 1920, Teece resigned the pastorate. Rev. Percival Watson, who had been pastor of
513-660: Is a national UCA activity during school and university holidays, every two or three years in a different city. NCYC 2007, "Agents of Change", was held in Perth. The 2009 "Converge" was held in Melbourne . NCYC 2011 was held from 29 December 2010 to 4 January 2011 at the Southport School on Queensland 's Gold Coast . Yuróra NCYC 2014 was held in North Parramatta, Sydney from 7 to 10 January 2014. Yuróra NCYC 2017, "Uniting Culture",
570-615: Is a non- episcopal church, with no bishops . Leadership and pastoral roles are nominally performed by presbyteries , but in reality by individuals. The UCA assembly meets every three years, and is chaired by the president. The 14th Assembly met in Perth from 12 to 18 July 2015. The 15th Assembly, hosted by the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania in Box Hill , met in July 2018. Assembly business between meetings
627-425: Is broad, reflecting its Methodist , Presbyterian and Congregational origins and its commitment to ecumenism. Its theology may be described as mainline Protestantism , with a commitment to social justice . The church's perspectives are evangelical , left (or progressive), and liberal . Morality, faith, and (in particular) sexuality have been debated. Concerns focus on biblical understanding and accommodation to
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#1732901515438684-548: Is conducted by the Assembly Standing Committee, which meets three times per year (usually in March, July and November). Membership is drawn from throughout Australia, with 18 members elected at each assembly. The current president is Reverend Charissa Suli since she was installed as president in the meeting of the 17th Assembly on 11 July 2024. She replaced Reverend Sharon Hollis , who had succeeded Dr Deidre Palmer at
741-456: Is similar to other united and uniting churches , which maintain a cultural identity in their own country and practise ecumenical fellowship with other Christian denominations worldwide. Between 1991 and 2013, UCA attendance declined by 41 per cent. In 2013, about 97,200 people attended weekly worship services throughout Australia. The church is liturgically varied. Practices range from experimental liturgies, informal worship reminiscent of
798-555: Is worn, it most commonly consists of a white alb and a stole (for ministers and deacons) or scarf (for lay preachers). The colour of the scarf or stole is often related to the liturgical calendar, such as purple for Lent or red for Pentecost . Since 1997, most councils and agencies have used the consensus decision-making procedures outlined in the church's Manual for Meetings . The procedures may use orange ("support") and blue ("do not support") cards, which may also be displayed times other than voting. The UCA's theological range
855-942: The 2021 census . In the 2011 census , that figure was 1,065,796. The UCA is Australia's third-largest Christian denomination, behind the Catholic and the Anglican Churches . There are around 2,000 UCA congregations, and 2001 National Church Life Survey (NCLS) research indicated that average weekly attendance was about 10 per cent of census figures. The UCA is one of Australia's largest non-government providers of community and health services. Its service network consists of over 400 agencies, institutions, and parish missions, with its areas of service including aged care, hospitals, children, youth and family, disability, employment, emergency relief, drug and alcohol abuse, youth homelessness and suicide. Affiliated agencies include UCA's community and health-service provider network, affiliated schools,
912-600: The Jesus movement to conventional Reformed services. Music also varies from traditional and contemporary hymns in the Australian Hymn Book and Together in Song , through Hillsong and contemporary Christian music to hard alternative and metal . Liturgical dress in the UCA is generally lenient, and is optional for ministers and other leaders of worship. When liturgical dress
969-580: The Summer Hill, New South Wales , church commenced his ministry in December 1920. In April, 1925, Mr. Watson received a second call from the Wharf street Church. Brisbane, and felt obliged to accept. Arising from the suggestion of Rev. P. Watson, the Rev. C. C. Watts , assistant minister of Collins Street Independent Church , Melbourne, was called in July, and served until late 1929, when despite pleas from both Clayton and
1026-581: The Uniting Church in Australia , and Clayton became Clayton Wesley Uniting Church. In October 2000, St Morris Uniting Church and Clayton Wesley Uniting Church congregations amalgamated. Clayton Wesley Uniting Church and, before the amalgamation, Clayton Congregational Church and Norwood Wesley Church, have a long history of using sacred music and choirs to enhance worship, build community, and reach out to and provide an ‘entry’ point for people to be involved in
1083-642: The Baptist Union and the Churches of Christ , in some locations. There are also cooperative arrangements where supplying ministry to congregations is impossible, particularly in remote areas. This includes arrangements with the Anglican Church , where ministry and (sometimes) property resources are shared. Faith communities are less structured than congregations. They are groups of people who gather together for worship, witness or service and choose to be recognised by
1140-719: The Church Hall. The Sunday school also grew in numbers, and a Young Men's Society and Young Christians' Union were founded and flourished. Hope resigned in August 1890, after sixteen years at Clayton. In 1965 Clayton Church decided to establish Clayton Church Homes for the aged in Norwood, the first stage of which was opened in March 1968. In April 1973 the Norwood Wesley Methodist and Clayton Congregational churches formally merged, just four years before their parent churches combined as
1197-587: The Church and thus the life of faith. Current Director of Music, Mandy Hutchinson, oversees a budget that is used from time to time for regular Sunday worship service and particularly for special events like Christmas Eve and Easter Sunday, to welcome others into the Church's community. Organists include Pip Parkin, Matthew Atherton, and Ashleigh Tobin, supported by guest musicians, including singers Rachel Bruerville, Andrew Linn, Macintyre Howie Reeves, Victoria Coxhill, and pianist James Huon George. Notable lay members of
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#17329015154381254-615: The High Street church. Cheetham resigned from the High Street Church in May 1871 and Rev. William Nicholls was confirmed as his replacement in July. In September 1872 Cheetham was accepted as pastor of the church in Milang , where he served a grateful congregation until his death in 1881. Nicholls resigned in 1875, to be replaced by John Randall. By the end of the decade the church had no minister and
1311-620: The UCA became the first mainstream Australian church to induct a transgender minister, when Jo Inkpin was installed at Pitt Street Uniting Church in Sydney. Thomas English (mayor) Thomas English (9 July 1820 – 17 December 1884) was a leading colonial architect in South Australia , Mayor of Adelaide (1862–1863), and a member of the South Australian Legislative Council 1865–1878 and 1882–1884. Thomas English
1368-582: The Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress prescribe that the Regional Committee may have and exercise all or specific rights, powers, duties and responsibilities of a Presbytery under this Constitution and the Regulations (including ordination and other rights, powers and responsibilities relating to Ministers) for the purpose of fulfilling any responsibility of the Regional Committee for Uniting Church work with Aboriginal and Islander people within
1425-598: The Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress, Frontier Services and UnitingWorld . The UCA is a national, unincorporated association of councils, each of which has responsibility for functions in the church. The councils are congregations (local), presbyteries (regional), synods (state) and an assembly (national). The membership of each council is established by the constitution. Each council includes Women and Men, lay and ordained. The offices of president of assembly, moderator of synod (who chair these councils) and other offices are open to all UCA members. The UCA
1482-569: The bounds of the Synod. UnitingCare Australia , one of the country's largest providers of social care, is its largest operator of aged-care facilities. Other activities include shelters and emergency housing for men, women and children; family-relationships support; disability services, and food kitchens. The UCA provides theological training through a number of theological colleges: Training generally takes five years, and includes supervised practical experience. The National Christian Youth Convention
1539-600: The broad culture. Uniting Network Australia is "the national network for lesbian, gay, bisexual, intersex and transgender people, their families, friends and supporters within the Uniting Church in Australia." The establishment of Evangelical Members within the Uniting Church in Australia (EMU), the Reforming Alliance and their merger with the Assembly of Confessing Congregations (ACC) illustrate conservative opposition to
1596-507: The budget, local policy matters, property matters (ratified by the presbytery and synod) and the "call" (employment) of a new minister or other staff. Congregations manage themselves through a council. All elders are members, as are ministers with pastoral responsibility for the congregation; there may also be other members. The council meets regularly, and is responsible for approving worship times and other matters. Some united congregations exist. The UCA has joined with other churches, such as
1653-462: The building was being used by the Bible Christian denomination. In November 1851 a breakaway group formed a separate church which met at Roberts's residence, "Maesbury House". Roberts, who was antipathetic to Stow, but later publicly reversed his opinion, may have led the breakaway in response to Stow's pastorate. They were still meeting at Maesbury House when their first pastor J. H. Barrow held
1710-465: The church included Thomas Caterer , Ebenezer Cooke , George Doolette , Henry Dunstan , Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Glyde , T. G. Griffin , Sir Herbert Phillipps , Sir Edwin Thomas Smith , Augustine Stow , George Wells, John Witty , Gilbert Wood and his son Peter. Rev. Henry George Nicholls was the next incumbent. His ministry at Clayton began on 3 May 1891, and served for twelve years; his last sermon
1767-538: The construction work to rebuild the Crown and Anchor Hotel in Grenfell Street . A new two-storey building was constructed to replace the former single-storey building later that year to English's designs, costing around £1,534. English & Soward advertised for tenders for stabling at the rear of the building in March 1880. Between 1878 and 1881, Edwin Smith employed English and Soward to rebuild at least two hotels,
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1824-503: The cost. A design by Cumming & Davies (whose previous work included the College Park Congregational Church) for a building 66 by 50 feet (20 m × 15 m) seating 560 people was accepted and the foundation stone was laid by E. T. Smith on 27 June 1882. The building was completed and officially opened on 17 May 1883. The spire, at 125 feet (38 m) was the tallest in the colony. The old building became
1881-464: The denomination appointing its next minister. They are known as union churches in some places, with several denominations using the building at different times. A Frontier Services ministry is available to residents of the outback , with ministers and pastors visiting families by air or four-wheel drive vehicles. Visits are normally arranged in advance so adjacent families can travel for significant events, such as baptisms . These "padres" are based in
1938-522: The eastern end of The Parade , Norwood . The first Congregationalists (or Independents as they generally called themselves) in Adelaide, led by Rev T. Q. Stow , met in a tiny building on North Terrace, Adelaide , and built their first chapel in Freeman Street (now Gawler Place ), which opened for public worship on 1 November 1840. The second body of Congregationalists to form met in a small chapel in
1995-434: The laity is valued in the UCA, which recognises that ministry is a function of the entire church. However, "specified ministries" are defined. Of these, the roles of elder and pastor are open to lay members . The church has two orders of ordained ministry : minister and deacon . When it is not possible (or desirable) to have an ordained minister, a lay preacher or lay ministry team may act in their place (similar to
2052-581: The local option to marriage; a minister may bless a same-sex marriage. The fairly broad consensus has been that a person's sexual orientation should not be a bar to attendance, membership or participation in the church. More controversial has been the issue of sexual activity by gay and lesbian people and the sexual behaviour of ordination candidates. In 2003, the church voted to allow local presbyteries to decide whether to ordain gay and lesbian people as ministers. Ministers were permitted to bless same-sex couples entering civil unions even before same-sex marriage
2109-560: The newly formed Luhrs Road Church, South Payneham to remain, he accepted a call to Victor Harbor . The Rev A. C. Newbury , minister of the Chatswood, New South Wales , Congregational Church accepted a call to take over the pastorate, and was inducted into Clayton Church at the end of February 1930. He left for the Henley Beach church in October 1940. Rev. J. H. Ralph of Tasmania was offered
2166-594: The north-west of Norwood from around 1840, and constructed a brick building in High Street, Kensington, on land contributed in 1844 by John Roberts (c. 1794–1875). Various ministers including T. Q. Stow and Rev. Thomas Playford (c. 1795–1873), father of the Premier , preached there until Rev. John Martin Strongman (c. 1815–1887) was appointed pastor in 1849. He drew large crowds, but left South Australia in 1853 without fanfare and never returned. Rev. Henry Cheetham took charge of
2223-474: The ordination of gay and lesbian candidates and the influence of the Confessing Movement (not to be confused with the anti- Nazi Confessing Church ). Issues debated since early in UCA history are the role of gay and lesbian people in the church, their possibility of being ordained and the blessing of same-sex unions. The church permits local presbyteries to ordain gay and lesbian ministers, and extends
2280-446: The partnership until his death in 1884, when his son, Joseph Wallace English , who had also been articled to the firm, was made a partner. This partnership continued until Joseph's death in 1927. English's work as architect included the new Kent Town Brewery buildings at the corner of Rundle Street and Dequetteville Terrace, Kent Town , completed in 1876 for E. T. Smith . In August 1879, English called for tenders to undertake
2337-670: The pastorate, but he declined, but Rev. T. Rees Thomas of Subiaco, Western Australia accepted and began at Clayton in February 1942. Late in 1947 he accepted a call to the City Church, Brisbane, where he served with distinction until 1981. Rev J. F. Dickinson (22 November 1900 – 1975) was inducted to the pastorate on 5 September 1948 and served to 1955, when he took over the pastorate at Victor Harbor. Uniting Church in Australia The Uniting Church in Australia ( UCA )
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2394-526: The presbytery. Local churches are sometimes also used by congregations of other denominations; for example, a Tongan Seventh-day Adventist congregation may make arrangements to meet in the building on a Saturday. The UCA is committed to inclusivity, and there are a number of multicultural ministry (MCM) arrangements in which Korean , Tongan and other groups form congregations of the church. Co-operating congregations, typically in rural areas, have several denominations worshiping as one congregation and rotate
2451-479: The start of the 16th Assembly in July 2021. Palmer was the second woman in the role, following Jill Tabart (1994-1997). Palmer was the moderator of the Presbytery and Synod of South Australia from November 2013 to November 2016. Hollis was moderator of the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania at the time of her election in 2018 as the president-elect and became president at the beginning of the sixteenth assembly, which
2508-536: Was Mayor of Adelaide from 1862 to 1863. He was Minister of Works, South Australia, and a member of the South Australian Legislative Council from 1 March 1865 to 1 August 1878 and from 29 May 1882 till his death, and was Commissioner of Public Works in the John Hart Government from 23 October 1865 to March 1966, and in the James Boucaut Ministry from the latter date till 3 May 1867. English
2565-522: Was also held in Sydney in January 2017. UnitingWorld is the church's international-aid agency. It receives funding from the government of Australia to implement development and poverty-alleviation programs in the Pacific, Asia and Africa. UnitingWorld works in partnership with 18 overseas denominations to support over 180,000 people annually through sustainable community development projects. The role of
2622-588: Was born on 9 July 1820 in Maryport , Cumberland , England. His father, who had fought in the Peninsular War against Napoleon, died when Thomas was three. He left England with his wife Margaret, and her brother Henry Brown, a builder, bound for the colony of South Australia . They arrived in Adelaide on 11 January 1850 on the barque Richardson , which was under the command of English's brother James. English
2679-647: Was for a time partner with brother-in-law Brown (28 August 1820 – 30 May 1881) in the building firm of English & Brown, (later Brown & Thompson), who developed the Glen Ewin quarry, the source of freestone for many of Adelaide's public buildings. They were first on Carrington Street , and later (1859) in Waymouth Street . Their partnership was dissolved when English was elected to parliament in 1865. From 1865 until mid-February 1870, English practised as an architect on his own. From 19 February 1870 until 1873, he
2736-654: Was founded on 22 June 1977, when most congregations of the Methodist Church of Australasia , about two-thirds of the Presbyterian Church of Australia and almost all the churches of the Congregational Union of Australia united under the Basis of Union . According to the church, it had 243,000 members in 2018. In the 2016 census , 870,183 Australians identified with the church, but that figure fell to 673,260 in
2793-496: Was in partnership with Rowland Rees , as English & Rees, Civil Engineers, Architects and Surveyors, of Temple Chambers, Currie Street. He then practised solo again until 1880. George Klewitz Soward served his papers with English, then joined him in partnership in 1880 as English & Soward at Albion Chambers, Waymouth Street , and then Barnard Chambers in Currie Street , both in Adelaide city centre . English worked in
2850-422: Was installed and opened by the church organist on 8 September 1897. C. Hope Harris produced a history of the church for its Jubilee in 1906. At his well-attended farewell, Robertson was quick to acknowledge the active support of deacons Sir Edwin Smith and Peter Wood, and the organist William Sanders , among others. The Rev. Ashley H. Teece , formerly of New Town, Tasmania , was inducted on 29 August 1909. At
2907-547: Was laid on 5 June 1855 by Mr. Barrow. This was the original Clayton chapel, named at the suggestion or insistence of John Roberts, in memory of Rev. John Clayton (1754–1843) of London, whose three sons John, George and William were also Congregationalist ministers. The first service, held on 13 April 1856, was conducted by Revs. John Gardner (Presbyterian), Joseph Dare (Methodist), and T. Q. Stow. Barrow resigned in 1858 to help found The Advertiser , which he edited for 15 years, and after an interim when services were held by Stow,
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#17329015154382964-499: Was legalised in Australia in late 2017. In July 2018, the national assembly approved the creation of marriage rites for same-sex couples. Since 1997, some ministers living in same-sex relationships have come out without their ordination (or ministry) being challenged. In 2011, the church approved the blessing of same-sex unions . Seven years later it allowed local congregations and ministers to decide whether to perform same-sex marriages, and ministers may now do so. In March 2021,
3021-685: Was preached at Clayton on 6 August 1903, when he left to take charge of the Presbyterian church in Canterbury, Victoria . The Rev. Joseph Robertson M.A., fresh from a very successful ten years at Stow Memorial Church, succeeded him; the appointment of the Australian-trained Robertson was heartily endorsed by Nicholls. In 1897 the pipe organ was removed to the College Park church, and a new instrument, built by J. E. Dodd & Sons of Adelaide,
3078-599: Was succeeded by Rev. William Harcus , who arrived in South Australia in late November 1860, and was to follow Barrow as a journalist and editor. He was followed in May 1866 by Eliezer Griffiths, who had been serving several congregations in Port Denison, Queensland .He left South Australia for England in December 1872. A manse on Kensington Terrace (now Portrush Road) had been built in 1868. The Rev. Thomas Hope followed in May 1874. During his time considerable building work
3135-514: Was succeeded by the Rev. John William Cooper Drane (1823–1864), who preached his first sermon on 6 February 1859. Later that year the Rev. Drane started preaching (also?) at the High Street Church, and also ran a college in George Street, Norwood, which moved in mid-1860 to Tavistock Street in the city. In December 1860 he left for Ipswich, Queensland , where he ministered for three years and died of consumption ( tuberculosis ) on 24 December 1864. He
3192-620: Was to be held in Queensland in 2021. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic , the meeting was moved to a shorter, online form. Synods are UCA councils which roughly correspond to state boundaries. Each synod meets about once per year, with a standing committee to represent it between sessions. Synod responsibilities include the promotion and encouragement of the church's mission, theological and ministerial education, and overseeing property matters. There are six synods: Each synod generally consists of
3249-415: Was undertaken: a schoolroom 36 by 25 feet (11.0 m × 7.6 m) and vestry 11.5 by 9.5 feet (3.5 m × 2.9 m) were built in 1876 to a design by Thomas English . The congregation had grown to such an extent that a new, larger church building was called for, to be erected in front of the existing building. Promised donations from E. T Smith, Gilbert Wood and others would meet around half
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