‘Magic’ of St Ninian’s sees the little church by way of

BUILT by Scottish settlers in 1873, St Ninian’s Uniting Church is making ready to have a good time its one hundred and fiftieth anniversary, in a metropolis that’s solely 109 years previous itself.

Today it’s surrounded by the suburb of Lyneham and has a brand new minister, the reverend Sharon Cutts, who was referred to as to St Ninian’s from Hawkesbury Valley in NSW three months in the past.

“It is a place the place God has referred to as for me to be,” says Sharon. “I really feel actually satisfied to be right here. I’m part of this historical past.

“It’s a very vital factor that in 2023 a congregation is celebrating 150 years.”

A member of the church’s Historical past Committee, Ann Munro has attended St Ninian’s for greater than 40 years. She says the church was constructed by Scottish settlers delivered to Australia by the Campbell household of Duntroon.

“Robert Campbell began operating merinos in Duntroon in 1825,” says Ann.

“His son Charles took over the property, however couldn’t get anybody to work on it as a result of the British authorities had ceased sending convicts to NSW.

“There have been only some itinerant labourers round who weren’t sufficient, so he introduced out Scottish settlers – shepherds and their households, they usually settled right here.

“The church in Australia on the time was the Church of England, and also you’re taking a look at Scottish settlers who’re sturdy Calvinists. It didn’t work for them in order that they wished a church of their very own.

“In 1863, one of many households initiated constructing a small bark hut right here on this stone, however after 10 years it wasn’t sufficiently big, in order that they constructed the expensive little church now we have subsequent door.

“It had two home windows [at each side] on the time. It underwent an extension in 1901, after which round about 1979 we went to the church that now we have now.”

Sharon says the significance of a church, particularly at 150 years, is important.

“We reside in an period the place the Christian church sadly doesn’t have the sturdy place in society that it as soon as had,” says Sharon.

“However right here, in 2023, I’m a part of a devoted group who perceive the challenges, and who’re able to face the challenges head on.”

However how has St Ninian’s survived 150 years? Ann believes somebody is searching for them.

“This tiny little church got here by way of World Warfare I, misplaced two boys within the warfare, and it got here by way of World Warfare II,” says Ann.

“They got here by way of being closed down in 1922, and the church turned a barn and it was like that for 5 or 6 years.

“Then it went to one of many households who had been within the authentic church, however they wouldn’t use it as a barn, simply left it sitting as a memorial to their church.

“Hector Harrison, of St Andrew’s, was driving previous in 1942 and noticed the wreck of a church, realised that the constructing had potential, and he began all of it up once more and it has gone on from there.

“There’s at all times been this sense that when one thing turns up, in some way St Ninian’s comes by way of it and we discuss it because the magic of St Ninian’s.”

Minster Sharon says there’s no want to fret about the place the St Ninian’s path goes from right here.

“I do consider that St Ninian’s has an exquisite future. It received’t be the identical because the previous. I hope we might not look the identical in 10 years’ time as a result of if we glance the identical it means we haven’t grown, spiritually or bodily,” she says.

“I hope for continuity. There was nothing right here. We have been out in the course of a paddock and we’ve survived, so now we have this duty to ensure that little constructing continues to be a spot to belong to.”

St Ninian’s one hundred and fiftieth Anniversary Service, February 12 at 9.30am. Particulars at stninians.org.au