Eurobin Presbyterian Church

The Eurobin Presbyterian Church (St. John’s) was a wooden church located in Eurobin, Victoria, Australia. It was established as part of the Bright (Myrtleford) charge under the Presbytery of Beechworth and later the Presbytery of North East. Though no longer standing, the church holds historical significance as one of two churches in the small township of Eurobin, alongside St. Clement's Church of England.

History

The Eurobin Presbyterian Church was officially dedicated on 17 April 1910, just six weeks after the consecration of St. Clement’s Church of England in the same village. The event attracted a large congregation, including visitors from Bright, many of whom were members of the choir at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Bright. Two services were held that day: the dedication service in the afternoon, led by the Reverend R. Jones, and an evening service. The Reverend J. Hall Angus from St. Paul’s, Wangaratta, gave the sermon at the dedication, preaching from Exodus 40:33–34: "So Moses finished the work. Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle."*The Messenger* (27 May 1910), "New church at Eurobin – Opening Celebrations"

Construction

The church was constructed of wood, with a total floor area of 520 square feet. It included a porch measuring 8' x 6'6" and a wooden platform furnished by the Reverend J. Hall Angus. The centrepiece of the interior was a handsome wooden pulpit dedicated to Angus’s late wife. This pulpit, later restored, now resides at St. Clement’s Church Eurobin, located 2 km from its original site directly opposite Eurobin railway station.*Ovens and Murray Advertiser* (26 April 1910), "New Presbyterian Church at Eurobin," p. 2

Later Years

In 1918, the church was painted by Mr J.T. Moore of Myrtleford, noted in the ''Myrtleford Mail & Whorouly Witness'' as "in his usual capable manner."*Myrtleford Mail & Whorouly Witness* (16 May 1918), "Eurobin," p. 6

However, by the early 1960s, the church had fallen out of use. A Church Statistical Return for 1963 noted that the building was "not in use" and might be moved. The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria approved the sale of the building, with proceeds earmarked for the expansion of the Bright/Myrtleford congregation’s Sunday School Hall.*Proceedings of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria* (1962), "Sites, Sales and Mortgages."

Vandalism

On 6 September 1910, a letter to the editor in the ''Ovens and Murray Advertiser''
detailed vandalism at the church, reporting damage to trees and shrubs planted around the property.*Ovens and Murray Advertiser* (6 September 1910), "Vandalism in a churchyard."

Legacy

Though the building no longer stands, the pulpit from the Eurobin Presbyterian Church continues to hold historical and emotional significance, having been restored and relocated to St. Clement’s Church Eurobin."A Sacred Relic Returns: The Tale of St John’s Pulpit and St Clement’s Church"
*churcheurobin.com.au*.

Gallery

File:Presbyterian Church Eurobin 27 May 1910.jpg, Presbyterian Church, Eurobin (1910)
File:Letter to Board of Health Melbourne regarding proposed Presbyterian Church at Eurobin.jpg, Letter to Board of Health regarding proposed construction
File:Extract from Presbyterian Church Eurobin Plans.jpg, Extract from building plans
File:The Reverend John Hall Angus (Presbyterian Church of Victoria archives).jpg, The Reverend John Hall Angus (Presbyterian Church of Victoria archives)

References

External links

"A Sacred Relic Returns: The Tale of St John’s Pulpit and St Clement’s Church"

{{coord missing, Australia

Presbyterian churches in Victoria (state)