Strathbogie Tableland

St Andrew’s Uniting Church, Strathbogie

History

St Andrew’s Uniting Church and its predecessors (the Methodist and Presbyterian churches) have been meeting the spiritual needs of the Strathbogie community since 1878.The present church was constructed in 1922 following a fire in the original Presbyterian Church. The Methodist church, situated next to the current garage building, was sold in 1984 following the formation of the Uniting Church in 1977 when the Congregational, Methodist and Presbyterian Churches joined together.

Services

Today, St Andrew’s at Strathbogie, together with Boho South and St Andrew’s at Violet Town form the Violet Town Parish enabling resources to be shared and co-ordinated. Church services are held:

• every Sunday morning in Violet Town at 9.30 am
• the 2nd and 4th Sunday each month at 11.30 am at Strathbogie
• the 3rd Sunday each month at 11.15 am at Boho South.
  

All members of the Tableland community and visitors are most welcome.

In addition to these church services, as the Parish does not have a permanent minister at present, the Boho South and Strathbogie congregations have commenced a Home Church. This is held on the 1st Sunday of the month at 10 am. These informal non-denominational services are held in the homes of congregation members and are followed by a light lunch. To obtain further information please do not hesitate to contact either Rhonda Gibbs (5790 8512) or Joan Wood (5790 5297) as you would be most welcome to share in the relaxed and informal atmosphere of this fellowship.

The Church

In addition to regular worship, St Andrew’s Church has many features which reflect the past and current history of the district such as the two large stained glass windows on either side of the pulpit and the recently installed leadlight window in the porch commemorating past members of the district. The pulpit was made from local timber by Adam Wakenshaw and the cross behind the pulpit was crafted by one of our two current organists, Ken Dunnachie. Ken and Dianne Mackrell provide wonderful music for all our services, culminating with the annual Carols by Candlelight service at Christmas time. Other items commemorating former members include the organ, the communion table and baptismal font.

Children

A member of the congregation, Joan Wood, visits the Strathbogie primary school each week to conduct classes teaching the children about Christianity and other faiths using subject material provided by Access Ministries (formerly Council of Christian Education in Schools) and is approved by the Education Department. The children of the School also play a very active part in the Christmas Carols by Candlelight service and in decorating the Church. This service is held on the last Sunday before Christmas at 8pm and is an experience not to be missed with the wonderful singing and worshipful atmosphere as people to celebrate Christmas. The service is followed by some great Strathbogie hospitality as we share supper in the home of a local resident.

Contact us

If you would like more information or to discuss any matter, please do not hesitate to speak to a member of the congregation or contact Joan Wood on 5790 5297. Better still, you are most welcome to come along to a service.

Additional information regarding the Violet Town Parish can be obtained at http://www.violettown.unitingchurch.org.au