Bible Christian Church

The Bible Christian Church was a church in Redan, c.1865.

The Bible Christians joined with the Primitive Methodists and Wesleyan Methodists to form the Methodist Church of Australia in 1902.

Site
The church was in Skipton Street.

History
The church was designed by notable Ballarat architect, H. R. Caselli, in 1865: "TENDERS required for Carpenters, Slaters, and Plumbers, Painters and Glaziers' works for the Bible Christian Church, in Skipton street. Drawings and specifications may be seen until Wednesday, the 13th inst., at the office of H. R. CASELLI, Architect."

The foundation stone was laid in August 1865: "The foundation stone of a new Bible Christian Chapel in Skipton street, at the end of Drummond street, was laid on Tuesday afternoon. The weather being fine, about two hundred persons assembled to witness the ceremony. The stone was laid by the Rev. Mr Orchard, and beneath it was deposited the customary bottle, filled with documents setting forth the names of the trustees of the church, the names of the ministers of the circuit, and other particulars connected with the denomination, together with copies of The Star and Evening Post. The Revs. Hosken, Sutton, Townend, and Halley were present to assist at the ceremony, and when it was concluded a collection was made in aid of the building fund. A soiree was afterwards held in the wooden building adjoining the church, which nearly the whole of those present at the laying of the stone attended. The church is to be built of bluestone, and the portion now being erected is 46 feet long by 36 feet wide; the total height is 57 feet, and the height of the walls 23 feet. The style of architecture is Anglo-Norman, and the cut-work in front is formed of tooled margin drafts. The plan shows a porch in front, with side entrances, and, with a view to the after extension of the building, it is intended to have the back wall merely boarded up and plastered, so that it can be easily removed. Mr Caselli is the architect, and Messrs Cox and Co. the contractors for the mason work, the cost of which alone will be between £500 and £600. The total cost of the building when ready for Divine service, it is estimated, will be about £900."

A letter from R. M. Serjeant to the council in October 1866 gives an indication of the that part of the neighbourhood. The mine shaft in question would have been opposite Serjeant's house in Darling Street: "From Mr R. M. Serjeant, complaining of the stench arising from an old shaft behind the Bible Christian chapel, Skipton street, being used as a deposit for dead horses and bullocks. It was stated that two men could fill the shaft easily in two days, as there was a quantity of earth near. It was agreed that the shaft should be filled up."

The Hope of Redan Good Templar Lodge No. 317 was instituted at the Bible Christian Church Schoolroom, Skipton street, on 21 Febraary 1889.

People

 * Joseph Rowsell (1860-1939), lay preacher.