Church History

In 1950 Clearview and Enfield were new suburbs on the northern boundary of Adelaide.  Public transport did not extend past Regency Road, and the people moving into the newly built houses endured unmade roads, mud and dust. 

However, God’s Spirit was at work, and it was not long before people began to gather in homes for worship.  Two Deaconesses were appointed by the Methodist Church to lead this new worshipping community, which included some Presbyterian people.  A Sunday School was established, also meeting in homes.  Deaconess Ruth Ramsey gives us a glimpse of those early years of Sunday School.

“…During the opening year, there were many disappointments to be conquered.  The continued delay of the erection the Church Hall being the principal one, however the future looks much brighter in this regard and besides there are many things for which we can praise God.  We thank Him especially for those who made their homes available week after week at great inconvenience to themselves, and for those who willingly accepted the responsibility of teaching under very difficult circumstances, with a complete absence of equipment.  Most of all we thank Him for the young lives that came into our care and which we pray will grow to praise and serve Him”. 

The much awaited Methodist hall was dedicated to the glory of God in 1953.  In 1954 a substantial donation enabled the Presbyterians to move into their own building and establish a separate congregation.  Meanwhile, the Methodists worshipped in their hall until the opening of their Church building in 1961.  

Led by the Spirit, these two Congregations that had shared worship in the 1950’s, began negotiations to unite once more, and in 1967 the Clearview Methodist and Presbyterian congregations came together as one worshipping community under the name of Clearview United Church. 

1977 saw the Australia wide union of the Methodist, Presbyterian and Congregational Churches to form the Uniting Church in Australia.  Clearview United Church then became Clearview Uniting Church. 

During the 1980’s and early 1990’s, the Clearview Uniting Church was part of the Prospect North - Clearview Parish, working in co-operation with five other Uniting Church Congregations in Blair Athol, Prospect, Islington and Ovingham. 

However, the organisation of the Uniting Church was once again changing, with the Parish system later being disbanded, and the Congregation becoming the main entity.  In 1997, the Prospect North - Clearview Parish was restructured, and Clearview was one of the first to operate as a single congregation rather than as a parish. 

A system of Networks has now been introduced by the Uniting Church in Australia, and Clearview joins with other Uniting Church Congregations in the Urban Mission Network.  The Clearview Congregation has also formed strong links with local Churches of other denominations, and works closely with them to further God’s work in the local community. 

We go forward in faith under the leadership of Rev’d Jim Peacock, seeking God’s future for this Congregation and the people of this community.