Teesdale Presbyterian Church

The Teesdale Presbyterian Church, located at 42 Pike Street, encompasses allotments 7 - 10, section 1, within the township of Teesdale, Parish of Carrah. The simple, astylar building was constructed in 1858 of bluestone. The Church was the first public building to be erected in the township of Teesdale and one of the first permanent places of worship for the district's Scottish Presbyterian squatters and free settlers.

Among the first trustees were John Bell of Woolbrook, George Russell of Golf Hill and the Rev. Simpson, who was later appointed as a Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria. At first, evening services were held one Sunday a month. A Denominational School was established by the congregation in 1858. Thirty-six students attended the school in the first year, with student numbers rising steadily due to the settlement of the surrounding township and agricultural allotments. The school was struck off the roll on the 31 May 1878, following the construction of a government school, located on the eastern side of the Native Hut Creek.

Many of the district's leading figures have been associated with the Teesdale congregation, including three generations of the Miller family of Gowan Brae who have been Church Elders, Member of the Session and generous benefactors. In the 1950s, the church was enlarged by a weatherboard extension at the rear, housing a new pulpit donated by David Keith Pitcairn Miller and World WarTwo memorial furniture. The windows were replaced at this time introducing a notion of the Gothic Revival style. In 1955, a multi-roomed timber building was relocated to the rear of church to house the Sunday School. The Teesdale Presbyterian Church is one of the few active churches in the Golden Plains Shire to celebrate its 150th anniversary. The Church remains relatively intact with a high degree of integrity.

How is it significant?

The Teesdale Presbyterian Church is of historical, social and architectural significance to the Golden Plains Shire and the township of Teesdale.

Why is it significant?

The Teesdale Presbyterian Church is of historical significance for its role as the first permanent place of worship in the Parish of Leigh for the district's first Scottish Presbyterian squatters and free settlers. Its first trustees: George Russell of Golf Hill, John Bell of Woolbrook and three generations of the Miller family of Gowan Brae demonstrate the cooperation of squatters and settlers in their faith. It has particular historical significance for its association with the Rev. Archibald Simpson, its first minister, who became Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria, the highest position for a Presbyterian clergyman.

The Teesdale Presbyterian Church has social significance as a representation of the collective aspirations of the local congregation to establish a place of worship, a Sunday School and, until the introduction of state education, a denominational school, which has served as an important community building since its construction in 1858.

The Teesdale Presbyterian Church has architectural significance as a simple surviving bluestone church, at first astylar but later improved in the Gothic Revival style.

Group

Education

Category

School - State (public)