Spring Hill Uniting Church prepares to celebrate 160 years

The village of Spring Hill is preparing to celebrate a special milestone this year; the 150th anniversary of the heritage-listed Uniting Church chapel and the 160th anniversary of the church’s founding.

Perched prominently on a hill on the western side of Spring Hill, the stunning bluestone church has been a local landmark and played a key role in village life from its very beginnings. Indeed, the church was already in existence when the village was surveyed and proclaimed in 1877.

It was in 1864, that a timber slab-walled chapel was first erected at the site. The land was a gift from local farmers John and Elanor Davis, who had moved from Kurrajong to 'Studleigh' in the early 1860s with their family. The building served as a church, Sunday school and schoolhouse for nearly a decade until it was felt a more suitable house of worship was required. 

A new chapel, made using local bluestone and volcanic sandstone, was built next to the old wooden building. It was opened in September 1874 — 150 years ago this month.

“It is a part of us,” Spring Hill resident Roy Roweth said simply. “I'm the fourth generation that's come to this church. My grandmother was married here… and then there was Dad and his brother and sister, three of them were married here in three months and they were married here. My daughter and my sons were married here,” he continued.

“I went to Sunday school here, youth club at night time on Friday night… It’s been a part of our life for a long time.”

Throughout the small chapel, there are many momentos that give evidence to the important role the church played in village life: memorial stained-glass windows, plaques and honour rolls naming members of the congregation who served during the two world wars.

Over the many decades, it has seen harvest festivals, fetes, fairs, concerts and more. It remains much-loved in the memories of many locals.

Malcolm Stacey is a relative newcomer to the church congregation, having only moved to Orange seven years ago. He has been busy piecing together the history of the old church, which has strong ties with his own family.

“My mother was christened here, and I knew my great-grandparents had established Little Springs, which is on the road down towards the airport,” Malcolm said. 

The original timber church was eventually removed in 1880, he said, as its condition was deteriorating.

“When they built the church, they thought the slab hut didn’t look very good alongside… so they decided they would build a new hall and that was built by the local congregation,” Malcolm said.

“They lifted the roof, demolished the walls and built the new walls underneath it. So by 1880, it was basically as it looks today.”

The Spring Hill Uniting Church will be holding a special service on Sunday, October 27,  to celebrate 160 years of the church and 150 years since the opening of the historic chapel.

The service will be held at 11.30am and will be followed by a barbecue lunch and birthday cake, play games and time to catch up and share stories and memories.