BRIGHTON UNITING CHURCH 160 Year Anniversary
Brighton Uniting Church will celebrate the 160th Anniversary of the opening of the church building at 443 Brighton Road, Brighton, on May 5th, 2024.
We honour and pay tribute to the people who had the vision and confidence to build a substantial church building when Brighton was a farming community with primitive roads. The opening services of the new Wesleyan Methodist Chapel were held on Sunday, May 1st, 1864. The Wesleyan Methodists had been meeting as a worshipping community in Brighton since 1847, originally under an upturned boat.
From 1878, Brighton was part of the Glenelg Circuit, and was supportive in the establishment of several churches, including Marion, and in 1982, the Hallett Cove Uniting Church.
Over the years there have been modifications and additions, including large halls in 1883, 1918 and 1959. There has great community use of these halls to the present day.
The stained-glass windows are a beautiful witness to the devotion that has been poured into the church’s life by individuals and families. In 2014, on the 150th Anniversary, a Thanksgiving stained-glass window was dedicated.
The wooden cross on the front of the building, facing Brighton Road, was added in 1997. It is constructed from timbers from the old Brighton Jetty, and has a time capsule embedded in the back.
We celebrate the past, but look forward to the future. Society has experienced great changes, but we continue the witness of God’s love, and the vision of our founding pioneer families in Brighton.
The celebration on Sunday, May 5th, will include a 10am Worship Service, with guest preacher, Rev Peter Morel, Moderator, followed by lunch. At 1:30pm Peter Kelsall will give a recital on the Memorial Organ, installed in 1951 and dedicated to those who served in World War II.
Brighton has extensive records and archives. These will be available for inspection on the Sunday, and also from Monday, 6th to Wednesday, 8th, from 10am to 3pm, as part of South Australia’s History Festival.
We hope to see people who are interested in Brighton UC’s story. All are welcome to join in the activities and celebration.