Our History
The discovery of tin in 1872 presented tremendous challenges to all the organised Churches in the young Colony of Queensland and particularly on the Darling Downs and Granite Belt. In that year the Rev. Isaac Mackay of Warwick commenced Presbyterian Services, which he passed soon after to the care of the Moderator, the Rev. John McAra, whose ministry appears to have been intended only as a temporary one, but he had the honour of being Stanthorpe’s first resident Minister.
When the first land sales were held on Monday, 10th August 1872, the Presbyterians bought one acre just below the (Wesleyan) Methodists, in Corundum St., for approximately $16. First on the field, the Presbyterian Church grew rapidly, but withered almost as rapidly. In February 1873, the “Border Post and Stannum Miner” drew attention to the fact that the Presbyterians had already supported a minister for many months. This was the same Rev John McAra, apparently an enthusiast who exercised a great personal influence over those of his own persuasion. His flock had built a frame with bark walls and roof as their church, but by May 1873 this had been weatherboarded, gothic windows fitted, and a porch added.
At least some thought had been given to the comfort of parishioners, for other improvements included ‘backing’ the benches in the church: “It is not easy for even strong people to sit, the better part of two hours, upright, without support for their backs.” It does not appear to have been considered that comfort might have suggested a shorter Service! The first wedding in the Church was that of Robert Mungall, the proprietor of a local drapery called “The Working Man’s Friend”, and Jean Farrier Matthews, on 7th December 1872. A photo from this wedding is kept at the current Presbyterian Church (Not on display).
The canny Scots had husbanded their finances well; nevertheless their income for the year was $550.49, while their gross expenditure was $710.00. In the same year a Presbyterian Church was opened at Sugarloaf, the Rev John McAra taking a very active part in civic affairs there. Occasional Services were held in Britannia House at Ballandean. During the 1880’s and 1890’s there are no records of Services continuing, but in 1901 the Rev Richard Kerr of Warwick started monthly Services in Stanthorpe, which he continued until Stanthorpe became a Home Mission station from 1906 to 1922. A succession of ministers built up the Charge until in the 1940’s, 50’s, and 60’s there were eight different preaching places, plus an evening Service in Stanthorpe every Sunday – probably no Charge had more. The first Presbyterian Church building in the town of Stanthorpe was opened in March 1909, on the northern side of Railway Street, between Matthew and Davadi Streets, and that was replaced on a new site in High St. in 1963, but it went to the Uniting Church in 1977.
Early in the 1970’s, like most Charges, there was little interest in ‘Church Union’, but the second vote led to all but three of those eight congregations going to the Uniting Church. Rev. Garth Filmer was minister at that time. However, the remnant rallied under the conviction that the Lord was with them, and together with Warwick and Yangan, and later Clifton and Allora, built up new congregations. Stanthorpe was able to purchase land in the town, and moved two of its three buildings (Glen Aplin and Bapaume) onto the site, in Leslie Parade, on Quart Pot Creek. The third property (at Ballandean) was sold. Clifton and Allora separated from the others.
Stanthorpe eventually separated from Warwick and Yangan and became a Home Mission (“Appointment”) Charge once again, with the Rev. Greg Fraser appointed on 1st February, 2000. A new Manse was built for Rev Greg Fraser and his family soon after. The Church was debt-free early in 2005. Rev Greg Fraser retired on 14th November 2018 after many years of service to the church and the community of Stanthorpe.
The church was without a minister during 2019, with Rev David Bailey from Rose City Presbyterian Church, Warwick, appointed as the Interim Moderator. Local Elders, Rev David Bailey, and some supply ministers provided the Sunday messages for the church while a new minister was being sought.
Rev Peter Evans from the Dalby Presbyterian Church accepted the appointment to Stanthorpe, and was warmly welcomed on 13th January 2020 at a public reception at the Civic Centre.
Soon after the arrival of Rev Peter Evans, the COVID-19 Pandemic resulted in many restrictions and modifications to the way the church functioned. For several weeks, Sunday Service messages, prayers, songs, and readings were recorded individually and sent to Rev Peter who combined them into a service video on YouTube. Prayer, Home Group, and other meetings were held on ZOOM. An area larger than the Leslie Parade building was rented at the Alley - a previous bowling alley. In a couple of days, this area was scrubbed clean and organised. The first meeting was held there on 3rd September 2020. We were thrilled with the Lord's provision of this area where we continued to meet, and for the new attendees we welcomed. This building was sold late 2020.
In January 2021 we were informed that the new owners wanted our area vacated on 03/02/2021 for new development, so we hunted again for another place to meet. On Tuesday 02/02/2021 the Stanthorpe Seventh Day Adventists voted unanimously that we be offered a space in their building. Plans were immediately made to relocate all of the furniture and equipment from The Alley to the SDA building, and to clean the Alley areas we occupied.
The first meeting in the SDA building was on 07/02/2021. We are thankful to the Lord firstly for His provision, and to the members of the Stanthorpe Seventh Day Adventist Church for their generosity.
God is good, and He is building His Church; and like Paul, we give “thanks in every circumstance, for this is the will of God for (His people) in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thess 5:18).