THE UNITING CHURCH IN COLLECTOR NSW
- A BRIEF HISTORY
The Methodist Church at Collector and surrounding districts was pioneered by lay preachers, in particular a lay preacher by the name of John Wheatley.
John Wheatley was born at Ashford Forest, England on 19 April 1792. When he was 20 years of age he was deeply impressed with the preaching of the famous theologian Dr Adam Clark and as a result he began preaching in surrounding towns and villages.
In 1838 when he was 46 years old he and his wife and family emigrated to NSW. After a brief period at Parramatta and Camden he finally settled at Collector in 1840.
In 1842 records state:
“A few Methodists at Collector were led by John Wheatley.”
Services were held in Mr John Sheridan’s house until they built a Chapel on John Wheatley’s land on the north side of Collector Creek, near where the bridge is now. From here he used to walk 22 miles to Goulburn to hold a Morning Prayer meeting and conduct services, then walk back to Collector at night. In later years he owned a horse and rode long distances to services. He was called “The Father of Methodism” in Collector, Gunning, Goulburn and Yass areas.
In the year 1854 Mr JJ Waddell, his wife and two sons arrived at Collector from Ireland and soon after they arrived became associated with John Wheatley and other Methodists. Mr Waddell started a Sunday School and Band of Hope. Both flourished under his leadership.
During the 1850’s Collector became part of the Goulburn-Braidwood Circuit. In 1846 Reverend WM Lightbody was appointed the first Superintendent Minster of the Goulburn Circuit which included Collector.
In 1865 the present church in Bourke Street was opened. It was built on land donated by Mr John Wheatley and was built of bricks locally made. Thomas Lord, as a gift to the church made the bricks of clay dug near Collector Creek. Mr Sampson Ranger was the bricklayer and stonemason during the construction of the church. Mr John Lane was carpenter as was Mr John Jones who worked as far as we know on a voluntary basis. Mr George Murray and Mr John Sheridan secured, and with a pit saw, cut the timber required for the building of the church. Wood shingles covered the roof until iron replaced them in later years. At the opening of the church, the Reverend HH Gaud gave the sermon.
The Golden Jubilee of Collector Church was celebrated in 1915 during the ministry of Reverend A Morris Yates. An honoured guest Reverend JA Waddell was the preacher for the occasion. In 1864, 50 years earlier, Reverend Waddell had preached his very first sermon at Collector the titled being “Choose Ye This Day Whom Ye Shall Serve”!
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Stained glass windows were installed in the church shortly before 1940 the work of Mr PO Barnard of Strathfield.
On 6 October 1940 Collector church celebrated its 75th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee.
On 19 September 1965 the church celebrated its 100th year with a Centenary Thanksgiving Service and Luncheon. The previous day a Centenary Flower Show had been held in Collector Hall.
The Gunning Circuit of the Methodist Church became part of the Goulburn Circuit in 1972 with Ministers appointed to the Gunning end of the Parish preaching in Collector and districts.
In 1977 the church became part of the Uniting Church in Australia.
The organists throughout the years have been Mr Edwin Granger from 1926 until 1981. Mrs Daphne Sheridan, Mrs Carolyn Frazer and recently Mrs Brenda Weatherstone and Mrs Pat Bush.
Sunday School also recommenced for a time during the 1980’s led by Mrs Robyn Lance and Mr Graeme and Mrs Carolyn Frazer.
The Lectern in the church was built from timber sawn by Mr Athol Lees, which came from the property of Mr TD Starr, “Eschol”, Dalton. The Lectern was made by Mr Gladstone Weatherstone in 1988.
In 1990 the church celebrated its 125th year of worship in Collector.
Two stained glass windows are located in the front porch. The eastern window is in memory of David and Mary Ann Wheatley and David James and Edith Emily Wheatley presented by the Wheatley family. The western window is in memory of Jock Taylor and was presented by his daughters and nephew. The windows were made by the Reverend Paul Woodhart the then Anglican Priest in Gunning Anglican Parish.
Two flower stands in the church were presented by Mrs Doris Lees and Mr and Mrs Mervyn Wheatley.
The cross was donated by Mrs Edith Muller and family.
The quarry tiles in the front porch were secured and laid by Mrs Jessie Hush. Mrs Maureen Poile crocheted and donated the Community Cloth and Mrs Doris Lees made the Communion Table cover.
Worship continues in the Methodist Church now the Uniting Church in Australia at Collector with many of the descendants of the original founders still worshipping to this day.
Excerpts from “1990, 125 Years Witness in Collector”, by Mr Mervyn Wheatley |
