If you have already visited Flinders Street Baptist Church, just along the street at number 65, or go on to visit it you will notice a striking similarity between the two churches. While not identical, they were both designed by Robert G. Thomas in an early English Gothic Style.
The beautiful front porch on Pilgrim Uniting Church was carved by Irish mason, Samuel Peters ( who lived in Sydney). If you look carefully between the carved fruits and flowers you will notice, on the central pillar, a rather peculiar inclusion, a medieval gargoyle squirrel. This was included at the request of the architect who had a pet squirrel, which he had brought out to Australia from England.
Pilgrim Uniting Church began life in 1867 as Stow Memorial Church, named after the Reverend Thomas Quinton Stow who was the first minister of the Congregational Church in Australia.
Stow, a great statesman in addition to dedicated churchman, died in 1862 and is buried in the West Terrace Cemetery here in Adelaide.
Backing onto Stow Memorial Church but separated by a high stone wall and locked gate was the Wesleyan Methodist chapel in Pirie Street. In 1969 the Wesleyans and Congregationalists merged and the wall came down. Stow Memorial, now renamed ‘Union Church in the City’, became the venue for combined worship. While the 1851 Wesleyan Church was subsequently demolished a meeting hall remains and is the subject of a separate review.
In 1977 the Uniting Church in Australia, a union of three churches: the Congregational Union of Australia, the Methodist Church of Australasia and the Presbyterian Church of Australia was formed. At this time The Union Church in the City became Pilgrim Uniting Church.
Unfortunately I did not have the opportunity to look inside the church but, from what I read, a little of ones time spent inside would be well rewarded. Something for another visit.
Picture 4 above is of the former manse (Pastors house) immediately to the right looking at the front of the church but no longer part of the church property. It has been completely refurbished though is still recognisable as the former manse based on pictures I have seen on the State Library of South Australia’s website.
The church offers free organ recitals twice monthly, on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month from 1.00 – 1.30pm.
On Wednesdays, Recitals Australia run classical music concerts in the church (admission fee applies).
In addition to these recitals, this very active church frequently has varied events which may interest the visitor. Check the website.
According to the churches website, ‘The Church is open to the public, for prayer, meditation or viewing: Mon-Tues & Thurs-Fri from 12noon to 2pm’.
Address: 12 Flinders Street
Website: http://www.pilgrim.org.au/
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The Rambling Wombat 