Church celebrates 75 years' service

One of the oldest churches on the Peninsula will celebrate 75 years of continuous worship and service on November 19, according to Broken Bay Parish Secretary Ms Annette Strong.

Ettalong Uniting Church will celebrate the occasion with a special service and lunch.

NSW Moderator Mr Jim Mein will be the guest preacher.

"It was during the difficult days of the Great Depression that the strong faith of Methodist pioneers in the area resulted in the building of a church," Ms Strong said.

"Methodist services prior to the opening of the church were held weekly in the local cinema with attendance averaging 59, and 7/6d was paid for the use of the building.

"A Mr CE Allen was the driving force, suggesting that land be purchased to erect a church.

He said: "It would create a deeper feeling of reverence, cause more interest to be taken in the work, arrest the attention of the public, and swell attendance at worship."

Ms Strong said that with donations, and help from "church offices", land was purchased in Picnic Parade, Ettalong, at a cost of 105 pounds.

"Next, by sacrificial giving and assistance from the Ladles Church Aid, a church was eventually built at a cost of 429 pounds, three shillings and 10 pence," Ms Strong said.

The official opening and dedication took place on January 2, 1932.

Later a hall was erected, and also a small cottage for the Minister/Home Missionary.

Ettalong Church with its neighbouring churches at Woy Woy and Ocean Beach was worked from Gosford from 1932/34 and was known as a Home Mission Station.

From 1935 until 1961 retired Ministers and Home Missionaries were appointed, and were located in the cottage, and in 1962 came the first Ministerial appointment.

In the early 1960s, when the Education Department purchased Ettalong Presbyterian Church to expand the local school, a number of members of that church joined Ettalong Methodist.

Ms Strong said: "The area had a flying start to church union when the five Methodist and Presbyterian congregations on The Peninsula formed the Broken Bay Joint Parish at the beginning of 1972.

"Sadly one of those five did not gain the required majority of votes from members to become part of the new Uniting Church in Australia, but Ettalong Uniting Church was one of the two congregations of the new Broken Bay Parish."

Ms Strong said that in 1981, to mark the 50th anniversary, the cottage and adjoining land was sold, and a new manse purchased.

"With the remaining proceeds, extension and restoration of the 1931 building was carried out," Ms Strong said.

"Apart from small improvements to both church and hall since then, these 1981 extensions are the ones that are still in use for the 75th.

"Ettalong and Umina are still the two congregations which make up Broken Bay Parish/Multi-Centre.

"A perusal of the many memorials in the church indicates there is so much to be grateful for - to those whose efforts over 75 years have left a lasting memory and advanced the cause of Christ."

Press release, November 6 Annette Strong, Uniting Church Broken Bay Parish