HISTORY OF BOLWARRA UNITING CHURCH

Bolwarra Uniting Church was originally a Wesley Methodist Church which was a wooden chapel 25' x 18' (7.6m x 5.5m) built on land at the end of Flat Road near the Hunter River. It was capable of seating 100 people and was opened in 1846. 

These early Methodists were farmers working the fertile land of the Bolwarra Flats with many being tenant farmers on the original Bolwarra Estate. 

The growing population soon outgrew the first timber building so a larger brick Church replaced it in 1878 on the original site. The building remained the meeting place for 77 years.

In 1955 the Hunter River bank realignment meant that the Church was vulnerable to future floods and a new Church was built on higher ground on the current site which was opened on 19 April 1958.

On 22 June 1977 the Uniting Church of Australia (UCA) was formed uniting three churches (the Congregational Union of Australia, the Methodist Church of Australasia and the Presbyterian Church of Australia). The UCA is the third largest Christian denomination in Australia.

In 1978 the hall was added to the back of the Church. In 2021/22 the community hall was extended and a new modern commercial food preparation area installed, which was opened on 1 May 2022.

Substantial building works were undertaken in 2023 and included a new entry with wheelchair access, replacement of the original outside toilets with new inside ambulant facilities, a Vestry, and the church was turned around to make it more functional. The official opening took place on 8 October 2023. 

In late 2023 the hall and kitchen areas were fitted with air conditioning, a new hot water service was installed and roof mounted solar fitted to help reduce electricity costs.

In early 2024 new comfortable chairs were purchased to replace the uncomfortable pews. A new children's area at the back of the church has been created and the Vestry is now fitted out.  

    

The old Methodist Church on the River Flats (23 September 1951).

 

 

The Bolwarra Methodist Church on Largs Road after the 1955 flood

 

Bolwarra Uniting Church Canna Street frontage 2018

       

Inside Church 2018

 

The new Food Preparation Area opened on 1 May 2022

 

Inside Church January 2023

 

 

Bolwarra Uniting Church Canna Street frontage showing new entry October 2023

 

Inside Church October 2023 when Church turned around

 

Inside Church February 2024 with comfortable seating replacing pews.