Mitcham Wesleyan church
Foundation stone 10 Jan 1882 by J Colton, architect D Williams, Jnr, opened 23 Apr 1882, Methodist after Union 1900, closed when new church built 1963.
“For some years past religious services haw been conducted by the Wesleyan body in a private house at Mitcham, and the want of a proper place of worship has been much felt. Efforts were repeatedly made to secure a church, but it was not until very recently that the trustees and those working with them could see their way clear to erect a church on the site adjoining the institute, which was secured by the trustees about six years ago. The edifice is to be built of Mitcham bluestone, with cement dressings, and in the Gothic style. It will be 40 feet long by 27 feet broad, and 22 feet 6 inches in height, and will accommodate about 120 persons.” [Advertiser 11 Jan 1882]
“Our past history, as a Church, is fading away. Possibly I know more of that history than any other person still with us. . . Mr. William Moulden, in the County of York, England, and his wife, joined the Methodist Church some time prior to the year 1850. In that year they came to South Australia and settled in the picturesque village of Mitcham. At this time there was a Union Chapel at Mitcham. Mr. Moulden and his family attended the services. He must have been one of the first Methodists to settle in the district of Mitcham; probably the first. Apparently, at this time, the nearest Methodist place of worship was on the Goodwood Road, approaching Springbank. In the latter part of 1852 a Mr. Overton (a Methodist local preacher from England) took up his abode at ‘Grange Farm’, on the Goodwood Road, and opened, in his house, on Sunday afternoons, a religious service. A company of worshippers soon gathered, and ultimately the Goodwood Road chapel, almost at the foot of the southern hills, was built. This, I believe, was the first Methodist chapel built in Mitcham and Goodwood South. Mr. Moulden took a keen interest in it. Some of the Methodists who continue to this day will remember the little building far down the Goodwood Road, almost at the foot of the hills. It has since been merged into the Colonel Light Gardens Methodist Church.” [Australian Christian Commonwealth 27 May 1932, letter from Rev John Blacket]
“the 50th anniversary of the opening of the church — was well attended, and over one hundred people sat down to the old-time tea meeting which followed. . . On Sunday several friends gathered before the morning service to take part in an old-time Methodist Class Meeting, and hopes were expressed that a similar meeting might be established regularly.” [Australian Christian Commonwealth 27 May 1932]
MITCHAM BIBLE CHRISTIAN CHAPEL
Foundation stone 9 Feb 1860 by A Blyth, opened May 1860 on part of Rev Ralph Drummond’s land, later used by Salvation Army, became kiosk c1912, demolished by Mitcham Council after 1956. Site now part of W A Norman Reserve.
“Two sermons were preached in the Bible Christian Chapel, Mitcham, by Mr. Allen, on Sunday, January 12, on behalf of the Bible Christian Missionary Society. The congregations were good.” [Register 21 Jan 1862]
Mitcham Wesleyan church
Foundation stone 10 Jan 1882 by J Colton, architect D Williams, Jnr, opened 23 Apr 1882, Methodist after Union 1900, closed when new church built 1963.
“For some years past religious services haw been conducted by the Wesleyan body in a private house at Mitcham, and the want of a proper place of worship has been much felt. Efforts were repeatedly made to secure a church, but it was not until very recently that the trustees and those working with them could see their way clear to erect a church on the site adjoining the institute, which was secured by the trustees about six years ago. The edifice is to be built of Mitcham bluestone, with cement dressings, and in the Gothic style. It will be 40 feet long by 27 feet broad, and 22 feet 6 inches in height, and will accommodate about 120 persons.” [Advertiser 11 Jan 1882]
“Our past history, as a Church, is fading away. Possibly I know more of that history than any other person still with us. . . Mr. William Moulden, in the County of York, England, and his wife, joined the Methodist Church some time prior to the year 1850. In that year they came to South Australia and settled in the picturesque village of Mitcham. At this time there was a Union Chapel at Mitcham. Mr. Moulden and his family attended the services. He must have been one of the first Methodists to settle in the district of Mitcham; probably the first. Apparently, at this time, the nearest Methodist place of worship was on the Goodwood Road, approaching Springbank. In the latter part of 1852 a Mr. Overton (a Methodist local preacher from England) took up his abode at ‘Grange Farm’, on the Goodwood Road, and opened, in his house, on Sunday afternoons, a religious service. A company of worshippers soon gathered, and ultimately the Goodwood Road chapel, almost at the foot of the southern hills, was built. This, I believe, was the first Methodist chapel built in Mitcham and Goodwood South. Mr. Moulden took a keen interest in it. Some of the Methodists who continue to this day will remember the little building far down the Goodwood Road, almost at the foot of the hills. It has since been merged into the Colonel Light Gardens Methodist Church.” [Australian Christian Commonwealth 27 May 1932, letter from Rev John Blacket]
“the 50th anniversary of the opening of the church — was well attended, and over one hundred people sat down to the old-time tea meeting which followed. . . On Sunday several friends gathered before the morning service to take part in an old-time Methodist Class Meeting, and hopes were expressed that a similar meeting might be established regularly.” [Australian Christian Commonwealth 27 May 1932]
MITCHAM BIBLE CHRISTIAN CHAPEL
Foundation stone 9 Feb 1860 by A Blyth, opened May 1860 on part of Rev Ralph Drummond’s land, later used by Salvation Army, became kiosk c1912, demolished by Mitcham Council after 1956. Site now part of W A Norman Reserve.
“Two sermons were preached in the Bible Christian Chapel, Mitcham, by Mr. Allen, on Sunday, January 12, on behalf of the Bible Christian Missionary Society. The congregations were good.” [Register 21 Jan 1862]