The History of Granite Community Church -- Est. 1876
The Settler's Years
The Granite Flat Church was first established in 1876 in 'Wooroonook' (later the name of the Church changed to 'Granite Flat' as it moved its location). Settlers moved to the Granite Flat district as early as 1874, including names such as Messr, Steward, McMurtrie, McEwen, Pink, Jackson, Beckham, Ower, Bish and Sellick. In the minutes of a 'Methodists Local Preachers'' book on March 30, 1876 it reads - "To establish a new preaching place at Wooroonook." This was to the begining of the Granite Flat Church and the first service was held on Sunday May 21, 1876. Weekly services took place as part of the Charlton Methodist Church circuit which included 9 other locations. These first services were held in the home of Wilson Steward each Sunday afternoon.
The Granite Flat Church was first established in 1876 in 'Wooroonook' (later the name of the Church changed to 'Granite Flat' as it moved its location). Settlers moved to the Granite Flat district as early as 1874, including names such as Messr, Steward, McMurtrie, McEwen, Pink, Jackson, Beckham, Ower, Bish and Sellick. In the minutes of a 'Methodists Local Preachers'' book on March 30, 1876 it reads - "To establish a new preaching place at Wooroonook." This was to the begining of the Granite Flat Church and the first service was held on Sunday May 21, 1876. Weekly services took place as part of the Charlton Methodist Church circuit which included 9 other locations. These first services were held in the home of Wilson Steward each Sunday afternoon.
The New Building of 1906
It became apparent that the site of the Church was not geographically central to the main group of people who worshipped there. As such, in 1906, a new church building was built at Granite Flat (the site and building of the current church). This building cost 195 pounds. The Church continued to be part of the Methodist denomination and part of the Charlton circuit. Despite many requests for the Church property to be handed over to the Methodist Church, the church remained in the hands of the trustees. The trustees of that time were - John McEwen, William McEwen, John Bish, William Pink, Robert J. Ower and Charles Bish.
The Beginings of Granite Flat Church
The original church building was proving to be too small for the numbers attending the Church and Sunday School and a new room to cater for the Sunday School and other activities was added in 1948. In 1966/67 there arose some differences relating to doctrine and the authority of the Scriptures between the minister and the congregation. As a result, the Granite Flat Church decided that they would withdraw permission for the Church to be used as a Methodist preaching place. From July 1967, the Granite Flat Church commenced arranging their own services and activities and became known as the Granite Flat Community Church.
Granite Flat Community Church's Growth through the 70s, 80s, 90s & 2000s
In 1972 the back room was extended to cater for the growing Sunday School. Through the 70s and 80s in particular the Sunday School was a central part of the Church and this also developed into a youth group. The Church continued to be an independent Church using visiting preachers and missionaries as well as some of their own.
The 90s saw many changes. Firstly, the service time was changed from its 115 year old 3pm time slot, to an 11am service. This new service time included Sunday School before the service at 10am. The 90s also saw Granite Community Church call their first sole pastor, some 116 years after the Church first began. In 1992, Gordon and Linda McCartin, from Adelaide, were called to pastor Granite Community Church. They were followed by Bruce Stewart who ministered at the Church through the mid-late 90s and early 2000s.
After a number of years of being loosely associated with the Baptist Union of Victoria (BUV), Granite Community Church became a member of the BUV in 2009. It was not long after, that the Church called Jono Ingram to be their pastor in October 2010.
The 90s saw many changes. Firstly, the service time was changed from its 115 year old 3pm time slot, to an 11am service. This new service time included Sunday School before the service at 10am. The 90s also saw Granite Community Church call their first sole pastor, some 116 years after the Church first began. In 1992, Gordon and Linda McCartin, from Adelaide, were called to pastor Granite Community Church. They were followed by Bruce Stewart who ministered at the Church through the mid-late 90s and early 2000s.
After a number of years of being loosely associated with the Baptist Union of Victoria (BUV), Granite Community Church became a member of the BUV in 2009. It was not long after, that the Church called Jono Ingram to be their pastor in October 2010.
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Becoming Baptist
After a number of years of being loosely associated with the Baptist Union of Victoria (BUV), Granite Community Church became a member of the BUV in 2009.
After a number of years of being loosely associated with the Baptist Union of Victoria (BUV), Granite Community Church became a member of the BUV in 2009.
This historical information is made possible by the great work of past and present members of the Granite Community Church. A full and detailed history of the Church can be found in the 2001 edition of "One Hundred Years and More" - a History of the Granite Community Church. This was first published as part of centenary celebrations in 1979 and was updated and reprinted as part of 125 year celebrations in 2001.