Tarana Uniting Church - Former

The former Tarana Uniting Church/The Rabone Memorial Church closed many years ago, and the property is now privately owned. Regular Methodist services began in the Tarana district about 1843, being conducted by the Rev Richard Caldwell. The first service in Tarana was conducted by the Rev W T Rabone about 1875, when he took up residence there. A weatherboard church building was erected shortly thereafter, but did not last to see its jubilee, having been ravaged by white ants. It had been erected on land donated by Mr William Webb. The original church building was replaced by the current brick structure, which was opened on 11/10/1913 by Mrs Rabone, and named in honour of her late husband, the Rev W T Rabone. The dedication service was conducted by the President of the Conference. No other details are known. More historical information/photographs of the former church/congregation are invited. Photographs upoaded 28/4/2019 & 26/4/2021.

For more of the church opening story see - https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/218665653 AND https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/155460487?searchTerm=Tonga  AND Opening of Rabone Memorial Church: souvenir programme, Tarana, Saturday October 11, 1913/Rabone Memorial Church. Bib ID 1536257. Not sighted.