Presbyterian Church celebrates 130 years

In the days of the early settlers, Australia was developing locality by locality, parish by parish, church by church, and St Stephen’s Presbyterian Church, Narrabri was one of them, now celebrating 130 years from 1893-2023.

The mayor of Narrabri at the time, Mr G Dale, offered his congratulations to the Presbyterian community and “felt sure that this day marked a positive forward step in the life of the community”.

The church, complete with fittings, was completed during the period 1893-1896, constructed in the Norman-Gothic style.

In those early days, services were also conducted in outlying areas at farmhouses kindly offered by parishioners.

The year 1943 marked the Jubilee Year for St Stephen’s, and the vestry was refurnished and repainted, with renovations additionally made to the church itself.

Numerous further improvements have taken place since then, with the church standing today as a proud testament to a history of prodigious ministers, strong community ties, and devoted parishioners.

Rob McCarron (Gunnedah), John Melbourne, Joan Burrell-Melbourne, Yvonne Philp and Mary Allen. Rob McCarron (Gunnedah), John Melbourne, Joan Burrell-Melbourne, Yvonne Philp and Mary Allen.

Doug and Jenny Whan, Mary Whitehouse, Sally McFarland and Jane Caton. Doug and Jenny Whan, Mary Whitehouse, Sally McFarland and Jane Caton.

st stephens kitchen workers Among those busy in the kitchen at the Narrabri Presbyterian 130th anniversary celebration lunch were Laurina Thompson, Carmel Alexander, Lizzie Smith, Grace Smith, Mikayla Smith and Liz Martin-Dickinson.

Kim Owens and Kath Hamilton. Kim Owens and Kath Hamilton.

Philip Melbourne and John Melbourne. Philip Melbourne and John Melbourne.

st stephens interior group Among the parishioners in the historic church, seated from left, Eric Burrow, Jean Cameron, Anne Sorenson, James Smith, Belinda Smith, Grace Smith, Lizzie Smith, Mikayla Smith, back left, seated, Margy Cameron, back standing, Shell Smith, former Narrabri minister, Rev. Phil Mercer, now living in Victoria, Narrabri session clerk Ian Thompson, church elder Terry Sadler, Narrabri Presbyterian Church’s Rev. Sam Smith, Mary and Gerry Allen.

Hunter Cameron (Kingaroy, Queensland) with Anne Rae. Hunter Cameron (Kingaroy, Queensland) with Anne Rae.

Graham Philp (Uralla) and Arthur Melbourne. Graham Philp (Uralla) and Arthur Melbourne.

Judith Stuart, Nathan Stuart, Anna Stuart, Jessica Stuart, who was flautist at the Sunday 130th anniversary service, James Stuart, Jennifer Stuart, Karolin Stuart, front, Heidi Stuart. Judith Stuart, Nathan Stuart, Anna Stuart, Jessica Stuart, who was flautist at the Sunday 130th anniversary service, James Stuart, Jennifer Stuart, Karolin Stuart, front, Heidi Stuart.

Sally Hamilton-Cameron, Ann Brown, Graham Cameron, Gail Knight, Nannette Corm and Ian Thompson. Sally Hamilton-Cameron, Ann Brown, Graham Cameron, Gail Knight, Nannette Corm and Ian Thompson.

Gunnedah Presbyterian Church’s Rev. Lyle Sims chats with Peter Phelps, now of Castle Hill. Gunnedah Presbyterian Church’s Rev. Lyle Sims chats with Peter Phelps, now of Castle Hill.

St. Stephen’s Presbyterian Church. St. Stephen’s Presbyterian Church.