The Surrey Hills Uniting Church stands tall on the corner of Canterbury Road and Valonia Avenue. A grand brick structure with a slate roof, painted a uniform cream – it’s a landmark in Surrey Hills.
It wasn’t always this way. The church has a rich history, evolving from its humble beginnings in 1884. The first services were held in a small building called the Wyclif Congregational Church, a modest space that served a small, growing congregation. But soon, the need for a larger church became clear.
In 1915, the foundation stone for the current building was laid by Robert Beckett, marking the church’s official move to Canterbury Road. The church was designed in an eclectic Arts and Crafts style, a beautiful marriage of tradition and modern design. You can see hints of this in the battered buttresses, the semi-circular window heads, and the recessed colonettes – echoes of a bygone era.
Since its inception, the church has gone through various changes, including a period of unification with other denominations in 1976. It has witnessed the growth of the community around it and played a pivotal role in shaping the Surrey Hills we know today.
As you stand before this towering presence, you can almost feel the echoes of its past. Perhaps even the sounds of the organ, once a magnificent pipe organ built by Messrs George Fincham and Sons, now replaced by a digital computer organ. Imagine the voices of the many preachers who have led this church, from the early days of John Mair to the more recent years of Russell Croxford.
The Surrey Hills Uniting Church is more than just a place of worship. It’s a living community, a beacon of hope and a symbol of enduring faith in the heart of Surrey Hills. Each Sunday, its doors open to welcome new faces and offer a space for reflection and spiritual renewal.