About Jean Flynn Church

Origins

The origins of Reformed worship in the Gawler Plains area of South Australia go back as early as 1838 when John Smith and Rev. Ralph Drummond arrived in the colony.  Over the next several years contact was made with other Scottish settlers in the area and a solid Reformed/Presbyterian witness was established in the colony.

 1854 – 1902

Rev. John Strachan Moir arrived in the colony and moved in to the Smithfield area opening a new church there in 1855. In 1858 Mr Moir accepted a call to minister in the colony of Victoria and he was succeeded in 1858 by Rev. James Gordon.  Under his ministry the church in the Gawler – Smithfield flourished.  Mr. Gordon demitted the charge in 1882 but continued preaching in the area until about 1899 when he retired. A short ministry followed under the leadership of Rev. James Hendry.

 1903 – 1954

This period is significant for the number of short term ministries (3 - 4 years) that were experienced in the area.  Other places of worship in what was now the state of South Australia were established and also flourished. 

1954 – 2007

The city of Elizabeth was established at this time and the first Reformed/Presbyterian services were conducted in Elizabeth South, the site of our present church building.  Over the years and expansion of the Reformed witness was experienced with other congregations being formed in the greater Elizabeth area.  The Elizabeth Church, now known as Jean Flynn Church in honour of the wife of the founder of the Presbyterian Inland Mission, Rev. John Flynn, was served by a variety of ministers and missionaries with varying results.

In 1973 when the vote was taken to form the Uniting Church out of an amalgamation of the Presbyterian, Methodist and Congregational Churches, almost all other congregations voted to enter into union, Jean Flynn Church, however, voted to remain under the Reformed/Presbyterian banner.  Following this time the fortunes of the congregation fluctuated and the last full time pastor served there in 1995 – 96.  The responsibilities for worship and administration were then shouldered by the Elders, under the oversight of a number of Moderators, until October 2007 when Rev. Kevin Stow arrived to serve the parish. 

The Future

This is a rewarding time for God’s people to be in on the ground floor of God's rebuilding of His church in this area. Jean Flynn Church is a family-friendly church and is committed to proclaiming the truth of Christ, showing the love of Christ, and exalting the glory of Christ in a warm and accepting community of believers. You are invited to come and join us in seeing how God is working in this part of His kingdom.