Synod Archives and Historical Society

 

SYNOD ARCHIVES AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY

64-66 ORRONG RD, ELSTERNWICK

Postal Address: PO Box 698, Elsternwick, 3185

Telephone (only Thursdays): 9523-1056 
Fax/Voicemail: 9523-1057

Archivist: The Rev Dr Ian Breward

Open Thursdays 9.30 am - 4 pm

Readily accessible by train. Some parking available.

The Archives of the Synod of Victoria has collections of records beginning with the earliest years of the Colony of Victoria. Many topics of public interest, social relevance and concern have been discussed in reports of church courts, periodicals and special commissions. Historians of most disciplines, secondary, tertiary and post graduate students, genealogists and family history enthusiasts will find useful resources.

The Archives was established at the formation of the Uniting Church in Australia to be a central repository for the historical records of the Synod, presbyteries and parishes of Victoria.

Commissioned to collect and preserve records of the institutions and individuals relating to the Uniting Church, it is staffed by voluntary workers. Their contribution of expertise in history, custody and research of archival material maintains the Archives’ service to the Uniting Church and the wider community.

Access: 
To ensure archival records are available an appointment is necessary for all personal research. Send a stamped self-addressed envelope to the Archivist detailing information required, purpose and outlining what is already known.

Access conditions:

There are three categories of Collections: 

- Closed

- Restricted (For specialised research in the ‘Restricted’ area, letters of reference and a legal release are required.)

- Open

The research fee is $11 per person per half day. Research for Parish Councils: Gratis.

Written enquiries entailing genealogical and other research with correspondence attract a fee of $20 plus GST per hour.

Certification of an entry of Baptism: $5 plus GST per entry.

Photocopies of material in the Archives are made available only for the reference use of the applicant. No 19th century material will be photocopied. The Archives reserves the right to limit the number of photocopies requested.

Indices for subject, person and place are available for religious periodicals. Staff can assist with finding aids or descriptive lists for collections.

The Collections:

Wesleyan Methodist / Methodist

This collection includes manuscript and printed minutes of conferences, districts, circuits, missions, departments, commissions, series of correspondence, building files, plans and photographs. There are complete holdings of denominational journals, serials and newspapers for Victoria. A wide range of educational materials relates to ministerial training, Denominational Board Schools, Sunday Schools and youth work.

Minor Methodist Denominations, Congregational and Presbyterian

Comprising printed and manuscript minutes, parish records, financial and building records.

Organisations

There are a variety of collections relating to the many denominational and parish organisations created for fellowship, missions, church-aid and moral welfare. Many of these were women’s groups located throughout Victoria.

Ministers

Personal records are held for ministers of the Independent, Methodist and Presbyterian Churches including their appointments and stations.

Uniting Church

Parish and congregational histories, registers, minute books.

Paintings, prints and photographs.

Liturgical: Bibles, service books, hymnals.

Architects’ plans, specifications for churches, schools, halls and ministers’ residences.

Memorabilia and artefacts