A Brief History Timeline of Blackwood Uniting Church

  • 1880 Foundation stone laid for Blackwood Church.
  • 1881 Blackwood Church was first established on land in Young Street now owned by Coles.
  • 1917 Moved to a site on corner of Coromandel Parade and Main Road.
  • 1922 A new church was built and with more people coming into the district the Methodist congregation grew and flourished.
  • 1956 75th anniversary was celebrated with the minister Rev Frank Hansen.
  • 1966 Church library established and continues to the present (2009).
  • 1972 Opening of the Parish Centre, Rev Len Atkinson was the minister at this time.
  • 1973 Community Outreach Programs began and continue to the present (2009).
  • 1977 Formation of the Uniting Church in Australia while Rev David Houston was the minister. This coincided with changes in society and emphasis was placed on more lay involvement and a greater place for women to take responsibility.
  • 1980 Centenary celebrations.
  • 1981 Rev Rodger Bassham arrived.
  • 1985 Rev Sybil Peacock joined Rodger and continued at BUC until 1988.
  • 1988 The back wall fell down while renovations were being made to the foyer area. A wet Christmas Day saw Rev Rodger Bassham conducting the early morning service while worshippers raised their umbrellas as the roof had not been completed.
  • 1990 A large cypress tree which had been given as a gift to mark the new church was cut down. It had grown outside the church building since 1922 but was causing structural damage to the building. A new garden was designed in its place and is lovingly cared for by volunteers from the church family. Revs Geoff Bridge, Rod Dyson and Doug Allington served the parish at this time.
  • 1998 Parish structures were discontinued so that Blackwood Uniting functioned apart from Eden Hills, Belair and Upper Sturt. The first Church Council was formed and the ministry team was reduced to two with Rev Christine Ostle and Rev Algis Greb concluding their terms at the end of 1998.
  • 1999 Rev Steve Thompson joined Rev Geoff Bridge and our vision and mission statement was formulated.
  • 2000 Rev Rebecca Purling was appointed part time to Blackwood and part time to Belair Uniting.
  • 2001 Blackwood Uniting Church celebrated its 120th anniversary (click here for more information on this event).
  • 2006 Rev Leanne Jenski became the full time minister.
  • 2007 Rev Ian Hunter joined the ministry team sharing his time with Blackwood and Belair, replacing Rev Rebecca Purling.
  • 2009 Ladies Toilet major upgrade.
  • 2009 Friday night “Meals for the needy” commenced.
  • 2009 Church designated a “Safer Bushfire Refuge”.
  • 2010 New carpet in Offices, ‘Dene Room, and Library.
  • 2010 Coffee Lounge ceiling replaced.
  • 2010 Garden near War Memorial redeveloped – hedge removed.
  • 2010 Playgroup started on Mondays for the community.
  • 2010 Storage Container purchased for Garage Sale items.
  • 2010 Rev Ian Hunter left to take up duties at Semaphore.
  • 2011 Rev Coral Smith was appointed as a deacon in May.
  • 2011 Hewett Room floor damaged by termites – part re-laid.
  • 2012 Car park spaces repainted.
  • 2013 Beginning of church complex used as “safer refuge” on Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating Days.
  • 2013 Rev Leanne Jenske left for a position as Chaplain at Flinders Medical Centre.
  • 2013 Rev Dean Eland worked as supply minister.
  • 2013 Rev Philip Hoffmann was inducted in June.
  • 2014 Solar panels installed paid by congregation donations.
  • 2014 Friday night meals discontinued.
  • 2014 The last fourteen years have seen many changes both in emphases and in the church community. Worship remains a vital element of life at the Roundabout. The numbers of children have decreased, some people have moved to other churches, but others have come and found their niche. There is still great commitment, enthusiasm and involvement by the congregation in the many activities which the church offers, as well as in service groups in the wider community. Council, in consultation with the people, continues to work towards a vision for the future and towards planning ways in which to faithfully be a 21st century church. The vision statement provides a framework for our ongoing commitment and action:

We believe we are called by God to be an inclusive Christian community, committed to justice, learning, service and care.