Moonta Mines Uniting Church - Former

The former Moonta Mines Uniting Church is now closed, and the property has been listed for sale. (May 2022). "Built during the mining boom in this area in 1865, it seated 750 people. However, the number of worshippers greatly exceeded this number so in 1872, a gallery to hold a further 500 was installed, making the seating capacity 1250. Two Services were held each Sunday with a full congregation. On a lighter note, some things never change as repeatedly in the old Church Minute Books, the following is recorded "Some senior members of the Church Trust must go into the gallery and control the boys".

In 1888 a large, beautiful Pipe Organ was installed at a cost of 258 pounds ($516). As you can imagine, after more than 100 years, the Organ required a major overhaul...the Pipe Organ is now possibly better than when it was first installed. We did not want the outside of the Organ touched and the paint work is original. Another reason for this was that the boys who pumped the bellows sat behind a large curtain and their names were scratched or pencilled on the panelling and we did not want this removed. These boys received one shilling (10 cents) a week for these duties. Quite often, to the consternation of the Organist, the boys would fall asleep during the sermon. The pump handle is still there and was used until 1960 when a motor was installed." (Extract Church Website - http://sa.uca.org.au/find-a-church/by-list/moonta-mines-uniting-church)

No other details are known about the Moonta Mines Uniting Church. More historical information/photographs of the church/congregation are invited. Photographs uploaded 27/5/2018.