History
History of Armidale Wesley Church (1850s–1977)
Armidale Wesley Church has a rich history dating back to the 1850s. John Hamel has documented the Church's history from its earliest beginnings through to the formation of the Uniting Church in Australia in 1977.
History of Armidale Wesley Uniting Church (1893–1993)
The present Uniting Church building in Armidale was constructed in 1893, with its centenary celebrated in 1993.
Two articles written to mark this occasion provide insights into the Church's history and its place in the community: Centenary of Wesley Uniting Church, Armidale 1893–1993 by Robert Luxton, and A History of Country Churches by Arnold Goode.
Ministers of the Armidale Methodist Church (1860–1977)
W.T. Mayne, 1860 | John W. Holden, 1909 |
R.W. Orton, 1863 | J. Gerrard Martin, 1912 |
R.H.L. Zillman, 1866 | W. Stewart, 1914 |
W. Wilson, 1867 | Henry E. Andrews, 1917 |
W. Moore, 1870 | W. Mills Robson, 1921 |
Francis Tate, 1873 | W.H. Cheetham, 1923 |
Richard Sellors, 1876 | R.J. Williams, 1926 |
J. Walkden Brown, 1879 | F.H. Walkden Brown, 1929 |
W. Dinning (2nd.), 1881 | A. Morris Yates, 1932 |
Benjamin J. Meek, 1882 | Ernest H. Wilson, 1935 |
J.B. Carruthers, 1885 | F. Knox Read, 1939 |
W. Glasson, 1888 | Morris I. Young, 1943 |
W.G. Willard, 1890 | Robert A. Bell, 1948 |
W.H. Beale, 1891 | Henry Hunter, 1952 |
J. Ward Harrison (2nd.), 1891 | J.S. Udy, 1956 |
W.J. Walker (2nd.), 1892 | John Woodhouse, 1962 |
Fred C. Boyer, 1894 | Richard S. Udy, 1963 |
W. Lucas (2nd.), 1896 | James Douglass, 1966 |
J.G. Morris Taylor, 1897 | C. Frederick Warton, 1967 |
A.S.J. Harding (2nd.), 1897 | Gordon Trickett, 1968 |
J.E. Fletcher, 1900 | Ray Weiss, 1968 |
John Calvert (2nd.), 1900 | Vernon Prowse, 1973 |
J.S. Thomas (2nd.), 1902 | Ian Fardon, 1975 |
Granville O. Cocks, 1903 | |
John C. Hill, 1906 |
The Armidale Methodist Church became part of the Uniting Church in Australia on 22 June 1977, when the Methodist, Presbyterian and Congregational churches came together to form the new denomination.
Ministers of Armidale Uniting Church (1977–present)
Graham Brooks, 1978–1983 | Bob O'Sullivan, 2004–2006 |
Bruce Edgell, 1984–1992 | Will Pearson, 2005–2008 |
Miriam Cotton, 1986–1991 | Anita Monro, 2008–2013 |
Nerida Drake, 1992–2001 | Kye-Won Lee, 2014–2015 |
John Barr, 1992–1996 | Joanne Smalbil, 2017–2021 |
Young-Dae Lee, 1997–1999 | Simon Hansford, 2024–present |
David Neilson, 2001–2004 |
The Alwyn Jones Award
The Alwyn Jones Award was established in 2005 to honour the remarkable contribution of Alwyn Jones to the Armidale community over more than 60 years.
Alwyn was actively involved in the civic, cultural, sporting and church life of Armidale and was particularly remembered for his role in planting approximately 9,000 trees throughout the city.
The Award was presented annually to an individual or organisation demonstrating a longstanding commitment to voluntary community service within the Armidale Regional Council area. It recognised those whose dedication, generosity and service made a lasting difference to the local community.
Award Recipients
2005 – Anne Chaffey | 2014 – John Cannon and Beverley Roobol (joint recipients) |
2006 – Joy Ramsay | 2015 – Beryl Hamel |
2007 – Torchbearers for Legacy | 2016 – Richard and Margaret Mills |
2008 – Ruth Blanch | 2017 – Ken Peter |
2009 – Aline Christenson | 2018 – EALD (English as an Additional Language or Dialect) Homework Centre |
2010 – Jenny Sholl | 2019 – Armidale Uralla Meals on Wheels |
2011 – Pat McGrath | 2020 – Brian Flint |
2012 – United Hospital Auxiliaries of NSW – Armidale Branch | 2022 – NERAM Volunteers |
2013 – Wally and Carole O'Hara |
The 1879 Willis Pipe Organ
The historic Willis & Sons pipe organ is one of the treasures of Armidale Uniting Church. Built in England in 1879, it was originally installed in St Stephen's Presbyterian Church in Sydney before being acquired by Wesley Methodist Church, Armidale, in 1934. The organ was dedicated at Armidale on 21 July 1935 and has played an important role in the Church's worship and musical heritage.
To mark the organ's centenary, Peter G. Pocock wrote an article in 1980 tracing its history, its journey to Armidale and the generosity of the congregation and community who made its acquisition possible.
Read the full article: The Centenary of the Willis & Son Pipe Organ – Wesley Uniting Church, Armidale (Peter G. Pocock, 1980).
Church Library
Armidale Uniting Church has a library located at the rear of the church building, offering a collection of books and resources for reading, reflection and exploring Christian faith.
You can browse the collection by downloading the Church Library Catalogue (PDF).
For more information about the library or borrowing books, please contact the Church Office.