HISTORY OF BOLWARRA UNITING CHURCH

Bolwarra Uniting Church was originally a Wesley Methodist Church which was a wooden chapel built on Bolwarra Estate on Largs Road. It was opened in 1846.  The growing population soon outgrew the first timber building so a larger brick Church replaced it in 1878. In 1955 the Hunter River bank realignment meant that the Church was vulnerable to future floods and a new Church was built 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 to turn the church around to make it more functional. The official opening took place on 8 October 2023. 

    

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.