Our History

St. John's is a member of the worldwide Anglican/Episcopal Communion.	This page has been changed, now I have these lovely photographs, so the original description of the years till 1960 have been given their own page here
Mr J J T Lever donated the grounds for our church.	In Feb 1918 Mr Lever advised the Church Committee, and they applied for three allotments adjacent to the Church site. Mr Lever gave the Church site, and it is believed he also gave the land on which the Vicarage is built - a magnificent gift, for which the present Church people give thanks to God. The final choice of John the Evangelist as Patron, also pays tribute to John Lever, recognised for his zeal, hard work, and the ability to put his money where his heart lay - donating various items as their need arose. He served on the Vestries of 1920-29, and then stepped back, encouraging other, younger men to 'have a go'.
	Services suspended. Services at Merbein were suspended from 13 July to 24 August 1919, because of the 'serious flu epidemic'. From 5 Oct 1919, services were held three times a month (1st, 2nd and 4th Sundays). The Vicar was given 5 shillings per week as travelling expenses between Merbein and Mildura.
	On Sunday 10 April, 1921 all was in place, with Mr William Evans, a bell ringer migrant from England, managing the pealing bells to call the procession into place for the Blessing and Dedication of the new church building and fittings. Bishop Maxwell-Gumbleton noticed there was no weather-cock, and donated five pounds to have this traditional detail added. The Vicarage was Blessed and Dedicated on 13 Nov 1921. A second Vicarage was built in the 1970s, in our modern way called 'the Merbein clergy house'.
Max Janson at the entry, 25 Jan 1999.	Sunday 25 June 1944 - Acting Vicar becomes First Rector In April 1944, a special meeting of the Vestry noted they had cleared all debts. They moved that the stipend be increased to 250 pounds, and that the Parochial District of Merbein be restored to the status of a Parish. On 25 June 1944, Bishop James Inducted and Instituted the Rev Vernon Desmond Hartwig as the first Rector of the Parish of Merbein. On 22 April 1951 the Rector dedicated the Rectory new fence and gates given by the Ladies Guild in memory of Emily Esther Smith, and in December the Mildura Shire Council granted a permit to build a new Parish Hall.
	In September 1952, Mr A Hamilton was paid 30 pounds for turning the old Parish Hall around, then in November a sub-committee was formed to begin the process of getting a new hall. The foundation stone for the new Memorial Hall was laid in Sept 1956.
	Bishop Winter, Rev Newton-Hamilton and Mr Stan Whiting, president of Mildura Shire make sure the Foundation Plaque is firmly in place.
Procession members are (left to right) Bishop Winter, Bishop's Assistant, fifth man is Mr Jack Pope, Mrs Missen, Mrs Winifred Walker, ?, Mrs Symons, Laurie Pope, with two young girls leading the way. Click here for a larger version.
	St John's has stained glass windows to welcome all who come, as well as both East-end and West-end windows. The East ones are high, and will be photographed when a ladder is available.

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