Victorian Council of Churches

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Victorian Council of Churches is a body composed of leaders from Christian churches of the State of Victoria, Australia. It was formed to present a unified front to influence public discourse and government policy, and also served to increase communication and cooperation between churches with similar aims and philosophies.

Member Churches

The current Member Churches (34, in alphabetical order) are:

Anglican Dioceses of Melbourne, Ballarat, Bendigo, Gippsland and Wangaratta
Antiochian Orthodox Church
Armenian Apostolic Church
Bulgarian Orthodox Church
Chinese Methodist Church in Australia (CMCA)
Churches of Christ
Coptic Orthodox Church
German Lutheran Trinity Church
Greek Orthodox Church
Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East
Lutheran Church in Australia Vic
Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church
Mar Thoma Syrian Church
Melbourne Church of South India (MCSI)
Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne and the Dioceses of Ballarat, Sale and Sandhurst;the Melkite Catholic Eparchy;the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy;the Chaldean Catholic Church;the Maronite Catholic Eparchy
St John's German Lutheran Church Springvale
Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church
Romanian Orthodox Church
The Salvation Army
Malankara (Indian) Orthodox Syrian Church (MOSC)
Uniting Church in Australia Vic/Tas Synod
The Melbourne Welsh Church

Early history

The organisation was founded as the Council of Churches in Victoria on 6 September 1892, when representatives of various denominations — Anglican, Presbyterian, Wesleyan Methodist, Baptist, Congregational, Lutheran, Primitive Methodist, United Methodist Free Churches, Quakers and Bible Christians — meeting at the library of the Congregational hall, Russell Street, agreed on a title, objects and Constitution. The number of delegates supplied by each denomination was stipulated, according to the number of adherents, with equal number of clerical and lay representatives.^[1] The Anglican church was given the greatest representation, with twelve persons, but was the last to nominate delegates and the first to withdraw from association. James Rickard of the Brighton Congregational Church was influential in its formation^[2] but became less significant as the council developed.

Office Bearers (1895-1950)

It was agreed that the office of president should be rotated through the membership bodies. In 1900 the format of the council was not yet settled.^[3] In time, Councils of Churches were also established, with varying degrees of success, for larger conurbations such as Ballarat,^[4] Geelong and Bendigo. They are not considered in this article.

This article traces the history of the Council through a list of presidents (initially elected annually by rota) and to a lesser extent its secretaries and treasurers, the workers of the organisation, who generally held the post for long periods, providing continuity.

1895 Llewelyn D. Bevan (Congregational)^[5]
1900 John Meiklejohn (Presbyterian)^[6]
1901 J. John Halley (Congregational)^[7]
1902 S. Pearce Carey (Baptist), of the Collins Street church
1903 William H. Fitchett (Methodist)^[8]^[9]

Around this time, the Anglican Church showed an interest in the Council.^[10]

1904 (Henry) Lowther Clarke (Anglican), Bishop of Melbourne^[11]
1905 Alexander Stewart (Presbyterian), of Essendon
1906 James Rickard (Congregationalist) previously secretary
1907 Hermann Herlitz (Lutheran)^[12]
1908 S. Pearce Carey (Baptist)^[13]
1909 T. S. B. Woodfull (Methodist)

Walter J. Eddy (Methodist) was secretary 1909–1914

1910 David Stow Adam (Presbyterian)^[14]
1911 Ernest Davies (Congregational), of St Augustine's Church, Hawthorn
1912 Frederic C. Spurr (Baptist)
1913 Alex McCallum (Methodist)
1914 James T. Robertson (Presbyterian)^[15]

In 1914 Walter J. Eddy resigned as secretary.^[16]

1915 R. Ambrose Roberts^[17] son of Rev. R. T. Roberts^[18]
1916 Edward Dybing (Baptist)^[19]

Robert Philip was secretary^[20]^[21]

1917 Henry Worrall^[22]
1918 James E. Thomas^[23] (Church of Christ)^[a] of Lygon Street church
1919 James McBride (Presbyterian)
1920 J. Ernest James (Congregational) of Collins Street church
1921 Arthur Richard Thompson (Baptist) of Elsternwick.^[24]

James E. Thomas was secretary 1921–1923

1922 George A. Judkins (Methodist)
1923 A. E. Illingworth (Church of Christ)^[25]

J. Ernest James (Congregational) secretary 1923–1925

1924 Frank H. L. Paton
1925 William Silas Pearse (Congregational)

George A. Judkins secretary 1925–1945

1926 W(illiam) Dodds Jackson, Baptist^[26]
1927 William Harris^[27]^[b] (Methodist)^[28]
1928 John Edward Shipway (Church of Christ)^[29]

In 1928 the Council protested the grand reception for Bert Hinkler being held on a Sunday.^[30]

1929 Alex Hardie^[31]
1930 A. Deans^[32]
1931 J. C. Martin^[33]
1932 J. H. Cain (Methodist)
1933 Albert J. Ingham (Church of Christ)
1934 W. J. Harris (Presbyterian)^[34]^[35]
1935 J. D. Northey (Congregational) of Camberwell Church

Legalisation of the totalisator was attacked.^[36]

1936 Sydney E. Dorman (Baptist)
1937 Henry Worrall (Methodist)^[37]
1938 P. D. McCallum (Churches of Christ)
1939 John Armour, (Presbyterian)^[38]
1940 Sydney E. Dorman (Baptist)
1941 William J. Williams (Methodist)
1942 S. Neighbour (Church of Christ)
1943 William Silas Pearse (Congregationalist)^[39] for the second time^[40]
1944 R. W. Stephens (Presbyterian), of Footscray Church

G. A. Judkins' last year as secretary.^[41]

1945 Horace H. Jeffs (Baptist)

Courteney Thomas was secretary 1945–1950

1946 F. W. Ede (Salvation Army)^[42]
1947 R. Caradoc Hughes (Latrobe Street Welsh Church)^[43]
1948 F. E. Richards (Methodist)^[44]
1949 F. A. Forward^[c] (Congregational)
1950 William John Salter (Baptist)^[46] of West Melbourne Church^[47]

Notes

[a]
Thomas was previously president of the Council of Churches in South Australia.
[b]
Harris's father, brother Samuel, and eldest son (Stewart) Selwyn Harris (5 August 1901 – 1959) were also Methodist ministers.
[c]
A member of the famous Forward family of Congregationalists^[45]

References

[1]
"Council of Churches in Victoria". The Argus (Melbourne). No. 14, 496. Victoria, Australia. 10 December 1892. p. 12. Retrieved 13 July 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
[2]
"Church Anniversary". Oakleigh Leader. No. 310. Victoria, Australia. 10 December 1892. p. 5. Retrieved 23 October 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
[3]
"Convention of Churches". The Age. No. 14, 120. Victoria, Australia. 7 June 1900. p. 7. Retrieved 22 October 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
[4]
"Provincial Cities and Towns". The Age. No. 24, 550. Victoria, Australia. 18 December 1933. p. 12. Retrieved 22 October 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
[5]
"Victoria". The Brisbane Courier. Vol. LII, no. 11, 696. Queensland, Australia. 10 July 1895. p. 5. Retrieved 8 January 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
[6]
"The United Presbyterian Church". The Evening Telegraph (Charters Towers). Vol. 1, no. 129. Queensland, Australia. 3 August 1901. p. 3. Retrieved 20 December 2024 – via National Library of Australia. illustrated
[7]
"Notable Members of the Council of Churches". Leader. No. 2388. Victoria, Australia. 12 October 1901. p. 33. Retrieved 1 February 2025 – via National Library of Australia. gallery of photos
[8]
"Dr Fitchett Dead". Evening News (Sydney). No. 19008. New South Wales, Australia. 26 May 1928. p. 6. Retrieved 20 August 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
[9]
"Personal". The Argus (Melbourne). No. 17, 693. Victoria, Australia. 27 March 1903. p. 5. Retrieved 20 August 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
[10]
"Melbourne Letter". The Watchman. Vol. III, no. 34. New South Wales, Australia. 17 September 1904. p. 4. Retrieved 20 August 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
[11]
"Brief Mention". The Methodist. Vol. XIII, no. 17. New South Wales, Australia. 23 April 1904. p. 7. Retrieved 20 August 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
[12]
"German Pastor's Death". The Weekly Times (Melbourne). No. 2, 654. Victoria, Australia. 19 June 1920. p. 59. Retrieved 22 October 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
[13]
"Church Notes". The Advertiser (Adelaide). Vol. LI, no. 15, 517. South Australia. 11 July 1908. p. 8. Retrieved 15 July 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
[14]
"Labor Problem Sunday". The Age. No. 17, 271. Victoria, Australia. 23 July 1910. p. 12. Retrieved 21 October 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
[15]
"Intercession Service". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 23, 906. New South Wales, Australia. 22 August 1914. p. 6. Retrieved 21 August 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
[16]
"The Rest Day Bill". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 23, 600. New South Wales, Australia. 30 August 1913. p. 8. Retrieved 21 August 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
[17]
"New President Elected". The Herald (Melbourne). No. 12, 289. Victoria, Australia. 19 July 1915. p. 3. Retrieved 22 October 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
[18]
"Late Rev. R. T. Roberts". Williamstown Advertiser. No. 1211. Victoria, Australia. 21 May 1898. p. 2. Retrieved 3 February 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
[19]
"President Elected". The Herald (Melbourne). No. 12, 568. Victoria, Australia. 12 September 1916. p. 5. Retrieved 22 October 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
[20]
"Personal". The Warrnambool Standard. No. 11, 684. Victoria, Australia. 26 April 1917. p. 3. Retrieved 22 October 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
[21]
"Death of Prominent Cleric". The Daily News (Perth). Vol. XXXIX, no. 14, 078. Western Australia. 20 April 1920. p. 6. Retrieved 17 March 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
[22]
"Personal". The Argus (Melbourne). No. 22, 336. Victoria, Australia. 1 March 1918. p. 4. Retrieved 22 October 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
[23]
"Personal". The Observer (Adelaide). Vol. LXXV, no. 5, 722. South Australia. 21 September 1918. p. 30. Retrieved 15 July 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
[24]
"About People". The Age. No. 21, 271. Victoria, Australia. 5 June 1923. p. 7. Retrieved 27 October 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
[25]
"Family Notices". The Argus (Melbourne). No. 29, 483. Victoria, Australia. 19 February 1941. p. 7. Retrieved 22 October 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
[26]
"Council of Churches". The Argus (Melbourne). No. 24, 998. Victoria, Australia. 22 September 1926. p. 16. Retrieved 16 August 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
[27]
"Family Notices". The Argus (Melbourne). No. 31, 008. Victoria, Australia. 17 January 1946. p. 2. Retrieved 2 December 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
[28]
"Council of Churches". The Age. No. 22, 581. Victoria, Australia. 20 August 1927. p. 17. Retrieved 27 October 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
[29]
"Council of Churches". The Argus (Melbourne). No. 25, 591. Victoria, Australia. 18 August 1928. p. 19. Retrieved 27 October 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
[30]
"Churches Protest Against Hinkler's Sunday Arrival". The Herald (Melbourne). No. 15, 853. Victoria, Australia. 9 March 1928. p. 1. Retrieved 2 December 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
[31]
"Council of Churches". The Age. No. 23, 195. Victoria, Australia. 10 August 1929. p. 26. Retrieved 22 October 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
[32]
"Revolting Wrestling". The Age. No. 23, 512. Victoria, Australia. 18 August 1930. p. 11. Retrieved 27 October 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
[33]
"Council of Churches". The Argus (Melbourne). No. 26, 527. Victoria, Australia. 22 August 1931. p. 20. Retrieved 27 October 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
[34]
"Obituary". The Age. No. 27, 947. Victoria, Australia. 15 November 1944. p. 3. Retrieved 16 August 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
[35]
"Personal". The Argus (Melbourne). No. 27, 457. Victoria, Australia. 18 August 1934. p. 20. Retrieved 16 August 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
[36]
"Drink and Gambling Condemned by Council of Churches". The Argus (Melbourne). No. 27, 767. Victoria, Australia. 17 August 1935. p. 26. Retrieved 16 August 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
[37]
"Rev. H. Worrall Dies At 78". The Sun News-pictorial. No. 5514. Victoria, Australia. 27 May 1940. p. 39. Retrieved 29 December 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
[38]
"Personal Paragraphs". The Herald (Melbourne). No. 19, 424. Victoria, Australia. 19 August 1939. p. 6. Retrieved 22 October 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
[39]
"Rev W. S. Pearse". The Argus (Melbourne). No. 32, 124. Victoria, Australia. 18 August 1949. p. 6. Retrieved 16 August 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
[40]
"Veteran Clergyman's Party". The Sun News-pictorial. No. 6742. Victoria, Australia. 3 May 1944. p. 14. Retrieved 16 August 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
[41]
"Prayer For Rain". The Sun News-pictorial. No. 7091. Victoria, Australia. 16 June 1945. p. 5. Retrieved 27 October 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
[42]
"Obituary". The Age. No. 28856. Victoria, Australia. 20 October 1947. p. 2. Retrieved 15 December 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
[43]
"New Welsh Minister". The Herald (Melbourne). No. 18, 527. Victoria, Australia. 1 October 1936. p. 37. Retrieved 23 February 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
[44]
"Church Attack on Communism". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 34, 765. New South Wales, Australia. 25 May 1949. p. 3. Retrieved 21 October 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
[45]
"Family affair!". The Argus (Melbourne). Victoria, Australia. 28 August 1954. p. 6. Retrieved 23 February 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
[46]
"Cruelty to new-born calves". The Sun News-pictorial. No. 8769. Victoria, Australia. 31 October 1950. p. 6. Retrieved 20 December 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
[47]
"The Stranger Goes to Church". The Sun News-pictorial. No. 8910. Victoria, Australia. 16 April 1951. p. 12. Retrieved 20 December 2024 – via National Library of Australia.

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