Dandenong Methodist Church
The Beginnings
William Renfree, writing in 1901, tells of the beginnings of Methodist worship in Dandenong. It was in 1855 that devout local Methodists planned to hold the first service under a redgum tree but Robert Kidd, the local blacksmith, offered the use of his still; unfurnished house. Local preachers, J. Reynolds from Oakleigh and W. Sykes led worship for their pioneer congregation, which included several people from Keysborough. The text was "Jesus Wept" and hymns sung included "All People That On Earth Do Dwell".
James Bickford of Brighton came a fortnight later and Methodist Sunday worship continued in Dandenong.
In 1887 a fine brick church was built to seat 350 and is still in use for worship today.
Dandenong Presbyterian Church
The Earliest Period in the Dandenong Area
The earliest regular services in Dandenong were held in 1854 when the Reverend Alexander Duff arrived in Victoria from the Presbytery of Belfast, Northern Ireland. After a probationary term of six months at Brighton, he was called to the joint Charge (Parish) of Dandenong and Cranbourne and inducted in 1855. No record has been found as to where these early services might have been held. He continued to work in both communities, reaching as far as Tooradin, Berwick and Yallock, until separation took place in 1876.
There is little doubt that the Reverend James Clow, who had purchased land in Wellington Road, organised services on an informal basis in the district prior to Reverend Duff's appointment.
The opening service in the new brick church was 6 March 1887. The preacher for this service was Reverend W. Lockhart Morton.
Trinity Uniting Church
June 1997 -
At the time of Union the Dandenong Parish consisted of Dandenong, Dandenong North and Narre Warren North congregations.
Following consideration of service and witness of the church and the alternatives for ministry, a decision was made by the newly formed Parish Council to amalgamate the central Dandenong churches as one and St Andrews and Lyndale as a separate worshipping community at Lyndale.
In September 1978, the Scots Church was closed as a worship centre.
LEWE TOLU VA-KALOU CONGREGATION
25 May 1992 -
There were many Fijians living in the south-eastern suburbs, people who had been strongly involved in church life. They were not attending church service within easy access to this area.
Jim Smith had arrived in Australia from Fiji in early 1991 and he began attending services at Trinity Uniting Church, Dandenong. He, with the minister, Reverend Murray John and secretary of the Elders, Gil Matthews and with the assistance of Reverend Rex Fisher, established the Fijian-language congregation. Their first service was the Day of Pentecost, 25 May 1992.
