Shelford Presbyterian Church

The establishment of the church was the product of efforts from several wealthy pastoralists in the area, notably George Russell of Golf Hill, adjacent to the church, James Kinninmont, Alexander Armstrong of Warrambeen, the Russells of Barunah Plains, R. L. Bell of Mount Mercer, John and James Bell, and H. M. Wilson of Shelford. The church was built in 1859, and was one of Geelong-based architect Joseph Lowe Shaw's earliest Presbyterian church works.^[1]

The church was put up for sale in November 2022,^[3] and was sold on December 10, 2022, for $645,000.^[4]

The church contains a memorial stained glass window, dedicated to Commodore John Biddlecombe (1858–1929). Commodore Biddlecombe joined the navy, initially as Merchant Marine officer in England, then as a lieutenant, seeing action in China and South Africa, and upon retiring, with the rank of commodore, resided at Golf Hill, where he died. The window contains several nods to his naval career, with the central section containing a large galleon, alongside Saint Andrew (for Biddlecombe's Scottish heritage) and Saint Nicholas, patron saint of sailors.The window was commissioned by Janet Biddlecombe, John's widow, and designed by Christian Waller.^[2]

• Rokewood Uniting Church