CHURCH HISTORY
The following page gives a very brief outline of the history of Gosford Uniting Church from its foundation in 1884 as a Wesleyan congregation through to the present day.
If you have any further information about the church's history, or any old photographs etc., please contact us through the church office or by email as shown at the bottom of this page. We would love to hear from you.
The following page gives a very brief outline of the history of Gosford Uniting Church from its foundation in 1884 as a Wesleyan congregation through to the present day.
If you have any further information about the church's history, or any old photographs etc., please contact us through the church office or by email as shown at the bottom of this page. We would love to hear from you.
1884
In March the church was founded in Gosford under the name "Wesleyan";
the circuit included Lower Hawkesbury River/Wyong/Yarramalong/Woy Woy.
Mr William Kirkness and Mr George Watt conducted services in Mr Watt's home.
The first Sunday School was conducted at Mr Ralph's home. Mr William Kirkness
was its Superintendent from 1884 to 1888. When he attended
the Legislative Council, lessons were taken by the Misses E. and A. Griffith and Miss C. Hastings.
1885
Rev. J.K. Turner was appointed for one year.
Land on the corner of William and Eliza Streets was purchased for $123 and the decision made to raise funds
to build a Church. An early minister was Rev. George Woolnough; he is the great, great uncle
of the Rev. Greg. Mr. James Kibble arrived in Gosford; his blacksmith shop and carriage building establishment occupied land now known at Kibble Park.
1887
Gosford Railway Station was opened officially on 15th August; this marked the beginning of a new era
for the district as it no longer depended on water transport.
1889
Church Foundation Stone was laid on 28th December. Hawkesbury River Bridge opened allowing travel from Sydney
to Gosford totally by rail.
1890
March or April saw the commencement of the first Services in the Church.
1891
First Anniversary Service held on 11th April and a public meeting/concert on 12th April.
1896
Mr. William Kirkness was reappointed Sunday School Superintendent - a position he held until 1922.
1906
The Union Church at Narara was built and used by Anglicans and Methodists.
1911
The Union Church at Mangrove Mountain was built.
1914-18
Mr. J.D. Kirkness was the Sunday School Teacher prior to the War and for some years afterwards.
1915
The Ladies Church Aid inaugurated.
1917
Rev. Samuel Wedge took charge of the Gosford Circuit (the first married man to do so) and the Circuit divided;
Gosford boundaries went north to Lisarow, west to Mangrove Mountain and Kulnura, east to Wamberal and
Terrigal and south to Woy Woy. Mr. Kibble purchased the Victoria Hall and converted it into a parsonage furnished for 115 Pounds. The weekly rent was 15 Shillings. A Worship Centre was built at Wamberal.
In March the church was founded in Gosford under the name "Wesleyan";
the circuit included Lower Hawkesbury River/Wyong/Yarramalong/Woy Woy.
Mr William Kirkness and Mr George Watt conducted services in Mr Watt's home.
The first Sunday School was conducted at Mr Ralph's home. Mr William Kirkness
was its Superintendent from 1884 to 1888. When he attended
the Legislative Council, lessons were taken by the Misses E. and A. Griffith and Miss C. Hastings.
1885
Rev. J.K. Turner was appointed for one year.
Land on the corner of William and Eliza Streets was purchased for $123 and the decision made to raise funds
to build a Church. An early minister was Rev. George Woolnough; he is the great, great uncle
of the Rev. Greg. Mr. James Kibble arrived in Gosford; his blacksmith shop and carriage building establishment occupied land now known at Kibble Park.
1887
Gosford Railway Station was opened officially on 15th August; this marked the beginning of a new era
for the district as it no longer depended on water transport.
1889
Church Foundation Stone was laid on 28th December. Hawkesbury River Bridge opened allowing travel from Sydney
to Gosford totally by rail.
1890
March or April saw the commencement of the first Services in the Church.
1891
First Anniversary Service held on 11th April and a public meeting/concert on 12th April.
1896
Mr. William Kirkness was reappointed Sunday School Superintendent - a position he held until 1922.
1906
The Union Church at Narara was built and used by Anglicans and Methodists.
1911
The Union Church at Mangrove Mountain was built.
1914-18
Mr. J.D. Kirkness was the Sunday School Teacher prior to the War and for some years afterwards.
1915
The Ladies Church Aid inaugurated.
1917
Rev. Samuel Wedge took charge of the Gosford Circuit (the first married man to do so) and the Circuit divided;
Gosford boundaries went north to Lisarow, west to Mangrove Mountain and Kulnura, east to Wamberal and
Terrigal and south to Woy Woy. Mr. Kibble purchased the Victoria Hall and converted it into a parsonage furnished for 115 Pounds. The weekly rent was 15 Shillings. A Worship Centre was built at Wamberal.
1918
The Holgate home of Mr. & Mrs. Sam Hutton was used for Services from August 1918 to August 1963.
1920
The trustees purchased the present Donnison Street site for 260 Pounds. A Worship Centre at Saratoga
was built, eventually sold and funds used to purchase land at Kincumber for a Church to
accommodate Avoca Beach and Saratoga congregations.
1921
Permanent parsonage built on land which had been purchased in 1917 on the corner
of Donnison Street and Henry Parry Drive. A Worship Centre at Lisarow was built and eventually sold to
another denomination; the proceeds were used to liquidate debts on the Avoca Beach and Terrigal
minister's residence. The separate Sunday School Hall was moved to Narara.
1922
Mr. A. Harvey became superintendent of the Sunday School and continued in that position until 1934.
1925
Tenders were called for a purpose-built hall. This was preferred by the congregation as being more
useful than an actual Church building.
1926
Two of the Gosford trustees, Mr. D.G. Pryor and his son, Thomas, completed the building which
was opened and dedicated on the 26th January. The tender price was 860 Pounds.
The Sunday School was built.
1928
Representatives from the Methodist Girls' Comradeship, (M.G.C.), and the Order of Knights (O.K.),
visited Gosford and the interest taken by congregation members resulted in the Orders being formed.
1934
The Sunday School celebrated its Golden Jubilee (100 years) over two Sundays with a total of six special services, the Annual prize giving evening and a picnic at Ettalong Beach.
A Worship Centre was built at Terrigal.
1947
The first Citrus and Flower Show and Handicrafts Exhibition was held; these were continued until 1958.
1948
The Narara Trust took full responsibility for their building.
1953
A Worship Centre was built at Davistown and eventually sold to the Lutheran Church and moved
to West Gosford. (In 2013 that building was demolished to make way for roadworks and the
congregation joined the one at Woy Woy). The Davistown land was sold.
1955
A Worship Centre at Gosford was built and dedicated.
The Holgate home of Mr. & Mrs. Sam Hutton was used for Services from August 1918 to August 1963.
1920
The trustees purchased the present Donnison Street site for 260 Pounds. A Worship Centre at Saratoga
was built, eventually sold and funds used to purchase land at Kincumber for a Church to
accommodate Avoca Beach and Saratoga congregations.
1921
Permanent parsonage built on land which had been purchased in 1917 on the corner
of Donnison Street and Henry Parry Drive. A Worship Centre at Lisarow was built and eventually sold to
another denomination; the proceeds were used to liquidate debts on the Avoca Beach and Terrigal
minister's residence. The separate Sunday School Hall was moved to Narara.
1922
Mr. A. Harvey became superintendent of the Sunday School and continued in that position until 1934.
1925
Tenders were called for a purpose-built hall. This was preferred by the congregation as being more
useful than an actual Church building.
1926
Two of the Gosford trustees, Mr. D.G. Pryor and his son, Thomas, completed the building which
was opened and dedicated on the 26th January. The tender price was 860 Pounds.
The Sunday School was built.
1928
Representatives from the Methodist Girls' Comradeship, (M.G.C.), and the Order of Knights (O.K.),
visited Gosford and the interest taken by congregation members resulted in the Orders being formed.
1934
The Sunday School celebrated its Golden Jubilee (100 years) over two Sundays with a total of six special services, the Annual prize giving evening and a picnic at Ettalong Beach.
A Worship Centre was built at Terrigal.
1947
The first Citrus and Flower Show and Handicrafts Exhibition was held; these were continued until 1958.
1948
The Narara Trust took full responsibility for their building.
1953
A Worship Centre was built at Davistown and eventually sold to the Lutheran Church and moved
to West Gosford. (In 2013 that building was demolished to make way for roadworks and the
congregation joined the one at Woy Woy). The Davistown land was sold.
1955
A Worship Centre at Gosford was built and dedicated.
1957
A Stewardship Committee was formed to place the circuit finances onto a more stable basis. Stewardship campaigns were held every three years until March 1984.
1958
A Worship Centre was built at East Gosford; it was eventually relocated to Narara and the land sold.
1959
Local Preachers' Certificates were awarded after 25 years to Mrs. J. King, Mrs. C. Browne (Pam),
Miss J. Swasbrick, Mr. B. Sullivan and Mr. Tom Clark.
1960
The final amounts due on the Gosford Church building were fully paid.
1963
Holgate Services were transferred from Mr & Mrs Hutton's home to the Matcham/Holgate Hall.
A Worship Centre was built at Avoca; it was eventually sold prior to 1983 (?).
1964
The Mission Support Group (previously known as Women's Auxillary to Overseas Missions), was formed.
1968
The Donnison Street residence was sold and another purchased on a double block in
Cape Street South. Subsequently the land was sub-divided, the house sold and a new building
erected on the second block.
1969
Mrs. Peg Playford became Nursery-Kindergarten teacher. Mr. Ian Playford joined the
Property Committee with the responsibility of mowing lawns, cutting hedges and odd jobs; work he
undertook until the couple moved to Cowra in 1974.
1971
A new residence was built at Terrigal and occupied by the Rev. Fred Warton who was the first
ordained second minister appointed to the Circuit.
1977
The inauguration of the Uniting Church of Australia on the 22nd June saw the beginning of the Gosford Parish.
1979
Mr. Ian Playford having returned from Cowra, commenced making the cassettes for people who
were unable to attend Church Services.
1980
The Parish Council Meeting on the 7th November, approved the relocation of Terrigal Church from
Church Street to Terrigal Drive.
A Stewardship Committee was formed to place the circuit finances onto a more stable basis. Stewardship campaigns were held every three years until March 1984.
1958
A Worship Centre was built at East Gosford; it was eventually relocated to Narara and the land sold.
1959
Local Preachers' Certificates were awarded after 25 years to Mrs. J. King, Mrs. C. Browne (Pam),
Miss J. Swasbrick, Mr. B. Sullivan and Mr. Tom Clark.
1960
The final amounts due on the Gosford Church building were fully paid.
1963
Holgate Services were transferred from Mr & Mrs Hutton's home to the Matcham/Holgate Hall.
A Worship Centre was built at Avoca; it was eventually sold prior to 1983 (?).
1964
The Mission Support Group (previously known as Women's Auxillary to Overseas Missions), was formed.
1968
The Donnison Street residence was sold and another purchased on a double block in
Cape Street South. Subsequently the land was sub-divided, the house sold and a new building
erected on the second block.
1969
Mrs. Peg Playford became Nursery-Kindergarten teacher. Mr. Ian Playford joined the
Property Committee with the responsibility of mowing lawns, cutting hedges and odd jobs; work he
undertook until the couple moved to Cowra in 1974.
1971
A new residence was built at Terrigal and occupied by the Rev. Fred Warton who was the first
ordained second minister appointed to the Circuit.
1977
The inauguration of the Uniting Church of Australia on the 22nd June saw the beginning of the Gosford Parish.
1979
Mr. Ian Playford having returned from Cowra, commenced making the cassettes for people who
were unable to attend Church Services.
1980
The Parish Council Meeting on the 7th November, approved the relocation of Terrigal Church from
Church Street to Terrigal Drive.
Rev Lorna Martin retired from the ministry1981
There was a successful Stewardship programme.
1982
A third Minister (Rev. Miriam Howard) ) was appointed and a residence at Narara rented.
Mr. Steve Larkin was appointed Parish Youth Worker, Also, there was part time ministry for Narara and Church redevelopment.
1983
Avoca Beach Church was sold to The Brethren for $67,500; the congregation was
merged with the Saratoga congregation.
1984
The Centenary of the Gosford Church. Narara Church was completed and the Kincumber
Church established merging the congregations of Avoca Beach and Saratoga. A third Minister,
Rev. Oakley was appointed. A special service was held at Gosford at 9.30am on the 8th April
to celebrate the commencement of Christian Witness in the District. It was conducted by the
Rev. J. Secomb and the guest speaker was the Rev. W.A. Coates a former Minister.
Gosford Ladies Fellowship provided morning tea and reunions occurred between previous
members of both the Sunday School and the congregation.
A Stewardship Campaign planned to end in March 1984 had a target of $330,000.
1985
Gosford Uniting Church Parish Ministers were the Rev. Miriam Howard,
the Rev. James Secomb and the Rev. Denis Towner.
1986
The three Ministers continued their work. In November Mr. Gordon Leech offered to sell
Matuta Lodge and the separate residence to the Parish for $350,000.
The Management Committee members were Mrs. Shirley Templeton, Mr. D. McMullen
and Mr. Lester Marquet.
1987
Gosford Uniting Church Ministers were the Rev. Roy Cosier, the Rev. Geoffrey Pankhurst
and the Rev. Ronald Sparks. A group of parishioners formed themselves into a group to play cards
and that group is still together in 2017.
1988
The three Ministers continued their work. A Stewardship programme took place.
1989
Gosford Uniting Church Ministers were the Rev .Robert Cirotto, the Rev. Roy Cosier,
the Rev. Geoffrey Pankhurst and the Rev. Ronald Sparks.
1990
The Ministers, with the exception of the Rev. Ronald Sparks, continued their work
1991
The Rev. Ruth Thomas joined the Ministers.
1993
The Sunday Lunch Programme began on 4th July
1994
Parish Ministers were the Rev. Glen Farquhar-Nicol & the Rev. Ruth Thomas
1995
The new buildings in Donnison Street were opened on 9th December
The Minister was the Rev. Glen Farquhar-Nicol .
1996
The Rev. John Bate joined the Ministry
Wamberal Church discontinued services & partly merged with Terrigal Church.
2000
The Rev. Helen Johnson was appointed as Parish Minister.
In September, Coastwide Community Service attempted to establish The Hope Centre to provide medium-term accommodation for homeless people.
2006
The Rev. Greg Woolnough was appointed as Parish Minister.
Triple C (Chatter, Cuppa, Create) was formed in May
2007
Kibble Kapers, a social group principally for the elderly, was formed.
2009
The Gumnuts Playgroup commenced.
2010
Uniting Productions began in January,
Wholly Quilts commenced in September
2013
GUC accepted responsibility for the Carols on Christmas Eve in Kibble Park
2015
Rev. Greg Woolnough resigned to commence Ministry at Castle Hill
2016
The Rev. Lorna Martin was appointed as Parish Minister in July.
2020
In March the church was compelled to close its doors because of the Covid-19 Panademic.
GUC then started On Line Services almost immediately.
All social Groups closed down, but the Sunday Lunch Programme was deemed to be an essential service & thus kept running.
2021
Narara/Mangrove Mountain Church closed on 30th June. The congregation members then joined with the Donnison street congregation on 1st July.
The Rev. Sunil Baek was appointed as New Growth Minister.
2022
After a few "false starts" during the pandemic, face-to-face services recommenced at Donnison Street at the end of January.
Rev Lorna Martin retired from the Church Ministry on 31 Aug.