Rosewood Uniting Church - formerly Rosewood Congregational Church

On May 24, 1875, the Rosewood Congregational Church opened on this site, although meetings had been held in the home of Mr. Samuel Waight prior to this. An early settler, Mr. Matthews, donated an acre of land in John St for the church building which cost £125 to build. The Manse opened in 1898, and the bell tower built in 1923, marked the church’s Jubilee. The new church building opened in 1954 and the hall in 1963.

Rev. D. Mossop was the first visiting minister to the area, calling on individual settler families before services were held in Mr. Waight’s home. Thanks to the generous gift by Mr. Matthews of land where the church still stands, the building opened in 1875. 

Pastoral care of the church continued to be the responsibility of visiting ministers until 1898 when Rev. R. Figgis resided in Rosewood. The original manse building was 24 ft x 26 ft and cost £130 to build. Mrs. Figgis planted the elm tree on the corner of the block closest to the Post Office. This was replaced by a fig tree and both trees caused heartache. Sunday School started around the same time as the services in Mr. Waight’s house, in the home of Mr. John William Vance by Miss Mary Vance (later Mrs. Evans) and continued there until the church building was constructed.

In 1900, the Old Farmers’ Club Hall was purchased for £40 plus £5 for seats and moved beside the church for use as a Sunday School. A new church building was opened in 1909.

When the manse was occupied by the Rev. and Mrs Capern during WWI, they received the devastating news that their son had paid the ultimate sacrifice.

The Women’s Guild commenced in 1916, with President Mrs C.A. Capern, Vice-President Mrs G. Brown, and Treasurer/Secretary, Mrs T. Harding. Twice they catered the Rosewood Show, and they arranged the Anniversary Tea-Meeting every year in May.

Buildings
In preparation for the new church in 1954, the original church and Sunday School buildings were sold and were removed to become the Masonic Hall. Their members, demolished the building board by board and rebuilt it in William Street. It later burnt down and had to be rebuilt.

The new church building was dedicated on Saturday, 27 March 1954 It had cost £6,000 to build.

Congregation
In 1888, the church had 11 members and 90 adherents.

The marble Honour Roll (built between 4 August 1918 and 28 June 1919) pays tribute to those from the church community who enlisted to serve in the Great War (1914-1918). There are 42 names (13 were killed, 6 wounded and 6 returned wounded); it clearly shows the impact of war on small towns such as Rosewood. The official unveiling took place on 26 December 1920.

Minister Resident in the District
In 1898, a correspondent wrote to the Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser stating:

The Congregational Church adherents decided to have a minister resident in the district, and in fulfilment of their decision, the Rev. R. Figgis [previously from Peak Mountain] has come to labour in our midst. It was decided that a social should be arranged for the purpose of welcoming the rev. gentleman on his arrival. Owing to the whimsical ways of Jupiter Pluvins, the social did not eventuate as soon as was desired, but it did take place last night, and a very enjoyable evening was spent. The ladies in connection with the Church had provided good things in abundance… Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser, 1 February 1998.

There were performances from the choir singing Sunday School hymns, and addresses from the Church, Sunday School and Christian Endeavour Society. Mr. Figgis hoped his labours would “yield abundant fruit”.

Columbarium
The Columbarium was erected in the church grounds in 1968 for the use of the community by Gordon Yarrow as a memorial to his wife.

The Congregational Church became the Uniting Church following amalgamation of Australian Methodist, Congregational and Presbyterian churches in 1977.