Sunday 21 April 2013

ST MICHAEL'S UNITING CHURCH

St Michael's was originally the Collins Street Independent Church, a Congregational Union of Australia church, and later Collins Street Uniting Church. It has become well known as a centre of liberal theology and political radicalism under its outspoken minister since 1971, Dr Francis Macnab, currently Executive Minister. The church became a congregation of the Uniting Church in Australia at its inception in 1977.

The first church on this site was built in 1839, one of the first churches in the Port Phillip District (now the state of Victoria). The original church was demolished in 1866 to make way for the larger church now on the site. The church was designed by Joseph Reed, who also designed the Melbourne Town Hall and the Royal Exhibition Building. The church is classified by the National Trust of Australia.

St Michael's is a unique church in the heart of the city. It is not only unique for its relevant, contemporary preaching, but for its unusual architecture. The church externally is one of Melbourne's landmarks. Internally, everyone is struck by its unusual quiet beauty. The bicentennial windows are a rare expression of visual theology - the largest display of existential-religious stained glass in the Southern Hemisphere.

St Michael's strives to be the best possible model of what the New Faith of the Uniting Church can be: A need to attract and sustain larger numbers of people who see that this expression of church life is the most meaningful and worthwhile experience for them. A belief that faith, spirituality and a meaning to life are vital ingredients for health and well-being and that there is a need to get hold of a more authentic religious understanding and to express it more confidently and diversely.

Psalm 100 
1 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.
Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

This post is part of the Psalm Sunday meme.







4 comments:

  1. The two towers, old and new, make good neighbors.

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  2. Your forth paragraph was much enjoyed reading !

    Thank you for your kind effort and participation very much. Yes, the contrast between old and new makes an impressive motive, important probably as well.

    Please have a good new week ahead.

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  3. I have been inside this church but never noticed the blue behind the organ pipes. Perhaps it wasn't illuminated at the time. It really makes the organ the focal point. Well captured Nick.

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