Concord Uniting Church Celebrates 100 Years of Worship and Community

Concord Uniting Church marked a century of worship and community life on the weekend of 23–24 August, gathering in thanksgiving for the generations who have shaped its story and for the multicultural community that continues to thrive today.

The centenary began on Saturday 23 August with a service that honoured the past while looking with hope to the future. Guests were welcomed with leis before the program began at midday, with a warm address from Minister Rev. Fa’uhiva Lutui. Scripture from Psalm 117 was read by Beryl Robinson, grounding the service in words of praise and thanksgiving.

Moderator Rev. Faaimata Havea Hiliau joined the congregation, leading the opening prayer and sharing gratitude for God’s faithfulness across generations. Civic leaders also took part, with Ms Sally Sitou MP, Federal Member for Reid, congratulating the congregation and affirming the place of Concord Uniting Church as “a multicultural faith community in our local area, that provides worship, fellowship and pastoral care to people from all backgrounds.”

Cultural performances from Korean, Sri Lankan and Tongan communities added to the spirit of celebration, reflecting the congregation’s rich diversity today.

The Rich History

The history of Concord Uniting Church was shared by long-time member David Johnson, who reflected on the church’s beginnings more than a century ago.

The legacy began in 1919, when land was purchased near Concord West station. Methodist services first took place in the home of Lawrence Nash in 1922, before the land was sold to the Catholic Church for a new school. In 1925, a new church hall was built on the current site, where David’s own grandparents attended the very first service.

Through the 1930s, the congregation grew and a new hall was constructed to serve the bustling Sunday school and the two Sunday services. At one point, five Methodist congregations were active in the area, later merging into two as demographics shifted.

In the decades that followed, Concord became known not only as a place of worship but also of service. The op-shop, begun by Dorothy Hynard in a small room at Central Concord church, grew into a vital community hub supported by countless volunteers. In 1977, with the formation of the Uniting Church, the congregation became Concord Uniting Church.

Environmental stewardship has also been a hallmark of the church’s life in recent years, with solar panels, solar hot water, and water-saving measures installed across its buildings in line with Uniting Church environmental policies.

“Over the years our congregation has fluctuated as members left and new people joined,” David said. “A large Korean group became part of the church community some years ago, and more recently many Tongan people who now strongly support the life of the church. Today, we are a multicultural congregation of more than five ethnic backgrounds, looking forward to the next 100 years.”

Reflections on faith through the years

The centenary was also an occasion for past and present members to share their memories.

The Gough family, wrote, “Five generations of the Gough family have lived just over the road from Concord Uniting Church since the 1920s. Whilst we are members of St Ambrose parish, we have always had a good relationship with your church and some of you may remember Anne Gough who attended ecumenical multi faith services there. We would like to offer our congratulations on reaching the significant milestone of your 100th Anniversary.”

For Sandra Batey, a member of the Uniting Church who worshipped at Concord for many years, the celebrations brought back rich memories of fellowship and faith. “I was born in 1947 in ‘Carinya’ – a nursing home where many babies were born. ‘Carinya’ is a house, and is next door to the present Concord Uniting Church, facing Concord Road. I could well have been born to the sound of church music!
I was baptised that same year at Concord Wesley Methodist Church… My connection with the Concord churches resumed in 1973 when I left home and moved to North Strathfield, returning to Concord Wesley where I was immediately absorbed into the fellowship of that congregation… My memories of those years are filled with images of the people, who welcomed and included me and taught me so much about the meaning of ‘fellowship’.”

Among those present at the centenary was Hazel Evans, who has been part of the church since her family joined in 1952. Now in her nineties, Hazel recently came home from hospital but insisted on attending the celebrations. She reflected:
“It was a great day. Congratulations to everyone on the event. Well done.”

Ada Mackay, Treasurer and Secretary of Concord Uniting Church, summed up the joy of the weekend. “It was very gratifying to see such a diverse group of people together celebrating 100 years of worship in the Uniting (Methodist) Churches at Concord on Saturday and Sunday. People with Church connections back to the 1940’s and 50’s, members of the clergy, youth groups and op shop volunteers, people from diverse backgrounds – the British and Irish, European, Korean, Tongan, Sri Lankan, Rotuman, Filipina along with the Moderator and members of three levels of government. I have been told many times how enjoyable the events they were.”

Thanksgiving Order of Service

On Sunday 24 August, the centenary continued with a Thanksgiving Order of Service. The Christ candle was lit as a symbol of God’s presence, and hymns of joy and praise were sung alongside offerings from the Concord and Tongan Choirs. The congregation prayed in gratitude for God’s creation and the life of the church, giving thanks for the many hands and hearts that have shaped its witness.

Moderator Rev. Faaimata reflected on the occasion through a message of thanksgiving “100 Years Centenary Celebration of God at Concord Uniting Church…We give thanks to God for the Past, Present and Future 🙏🏾 Thank you Our Minister Rev Fauhiva Lutui Mele Tupou Ika Lutui Chairperson of the Church Council Kass Makasini Setuata Hiva Fakatava and the Congregation🙏🏾 Praise the LORD, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD.”

As Concord Uniting Church enters its second century, it continues as a place of welcome, worship and community and as a church that reflects the cultural diversity of its people that carries forward the witness of generations past into a hopeful future.