Equipping Christians to worship Jesus and share His Gospel
Moss Vale Presbyterian Church -
A Very Short History
On February 4th 1838, the Rev. W. Hamilton, of Goulburn, celebrated a marriage at Sutton Forest before travelling on to conduct a worship service that afternoon in the Berrima Town Hall.
These are the earliest records of Presbyterian ministry in the Southern Highlands. Intermittent ministry continued from around 1840, with visiting ministers usually coming from Campbelltown or Kiama.
About 1864, a church hall was erected at Black Bob’s Creek and in 1866 a church was opened in Sutton Forest, probably under the guidance of Rev Daniel Blue. Realising that the population centre was moving to Moss Vale, Mr J. W. Dymock secured a suitable site and erected a manse.
In
1879, a church building was opened
with Rev R. A. Steel as the
incumbent. With significant modifications, this building continues
to be used for a range of ministries.
During the hundred and more years since ministry began in
Moss Vale,
there have been some interesting events. In 1885 the charge of
Bowral-Mittagong was created and set apart. Prior to this, the
ministry needs of Mittagong and Bowral had been met from Moss Vale.
On 8th February 1930, the congregation in Berrima began
worshipping in the Finlayson Memorial Church, while in 1935 the
original property in Sutton Forest was sold.
A new manse was opened by Rev R. Duffy on August 4th 1962. The first
manse was used mainly for children’s ministry from then until 2004
when it had to be demolished.
During the 1960’s a property was purchased in Bundanoon and services
commenced. Currently in recess it is hoped that active ministries
will resume from this building in the near future. In the last
decade barely used buildings at Berrima and Burrawang were sold and
this has provided funds for a major refurbishment of the existing
buildings.
The congregation at St Andrews Presbyterian Church,
Moss Vale, and,
in time, at the re-established Bundanoon Presbyterian Community
Church are thankful to our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, for all
that He has done in sustaining His work at these places.
They are prayerful that Jesus will continue to allow them to serve
Him by growing in grace through the sharing of His gospel of
salvation.