
History of Lancefield Uniting Church.
Presbyterians
The Lancefeld-Romsey Presbyterian Church was established in 1861.
The Rev WA Lind was inducted and served the Presbyterian Churches in Romsey
and Lancefeld for eighteen years. Before this the Presbyterians in Lancefeld,
Romsey and Rochford had been cared for by itinerant ministers. Rev Lind also
conducted services at Bolinda, Duckholes (North
Monegeeta), Springfeld, Newham and Rochford.
Foundation Stone of the frst manse was laid on March 12th, 1862 on a two acre
land grant on the northern slope of Melbourne Hill (where the daffodil/garlic
farm is).
Lancefeld Congregation
In Lancefeld, a Building Committee contracted to buy 35,000 bricks at one
pound, two shillings per thousand from the Lancefeld Kiln. The foundation
stone was laid by Matthew Fawkner on 26th June, 1866 and the church was opened
on 25th November 1866. Methodists
The frst offcial records available of the Lancefeld Methodist Church are dated
1884, however, the Lancefeld Wesley an Methodist Church was built in 1877.
The Romsey Methodist Church building was completed in 1886.
During the life of the Church from 1884 to 1968 a total of twenty Ministers
and sixteen home Missionaries were appointed to lead the people called Methodists
in this district.
Union
Methodists came together with the Presbyterians to form a Presbyterian Methodist
Congregation in 1968, under the care of Rev Stan Fishley and the Presbytery
of Melbourne West.
This was nine years before the beginning of the Uniting Church.
The Rev MJ (Polly) Thalheimer was the Minister at Romsey and Lancefeld when
Union took place on June 22nd, 1977.
Later Events - Lancefeld
In 1978 a kindergarten building and vestry were added behind the Lancefeld
church.
Contributed by Jean Clement and Jeni Clampit. Information from Uniting People
by Gavin Smith published 1998. Copies available for $16, from Jean Clement
5429 6522
