Stonnington Community Uniting Church, Malvern East: A Warm Welcome at Burke Road’s Church Since 1886

You may have driven past the Stonnington Community Uniting Church a thousand times, the church itself suggests: on the way to work, dropping the children at school or walking the dog to Central Park. Behind the red-brick facade on the corner of Burke Road and Coppin Street in East Malvern is a welcoming community of faith, and a busy hub for local groups, that has been part of the area since 1886.

A safe place for all people

The church describes itself as a safe place for all people. Visitors and members are welcome regardless of race, creed, gender, cultural background or sexual orientation. Its members come from many walks of life: singles, couples, children and adults, people with different faith beliefs who come together in Christian fellowship. As the church cheerfully notes, some like dogs and some like cats. It describes itself as a Christian community committed to following the way of Jesus rather than religious dogma, and acknowledges that it gathers on the lands of the Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri peoples.

Sunday morning services are relaxed and inclusive, mixing traditional and contemporary music and drawing on the Old and New Testaments as well as other thought-provoking writing, artworks and the natural world. Services are at 10.30am most Sundays, with a Eucharist service at 11am on the first Sunday of each month. The congregation's new Minister of the Word is Rev John Power. If you've ever wondered what happens inside, the church's invitation is simple: wander in this Sunday. You'll be welcomed, no strings attached.

Roots going back to 1886

The congregation began in 1886 when Rev John Ewing, the Presbyterian minister of the Toorak church, started visiting the area and holding services in parishioners' homes. A small wooden church opened on the Waverley Road hill in March 1891, and was named the Ewing Memorial Church in his honour. In 1896 it was moved to a new site on the east side of Burke Road. Since then the church has weathered the 1890s Depression, two world wars, the Spanish flu and the Great Depression, along with relocations, building programmes and amalgamations. "From 1886 to 2025, we are here and we are here to stay," the church says.

A home for community groups

The church connects with many facets of local life through the community groups that use its Burke Road and Sorrell Street spaces, by day and in the evening. Users do not have to be members of the church. The groups are, in the church's words, varied, loud, quiet, small, medium and large. They include the People's Choir, led by Bettina Spivakovsky, which meets every Tuesday evening and welcomes all ages, abilities, nationalities and religions; a Japanese ladies' choir; the Malvern Centre of the Musical Society of Victoria, founded in 1861, which holds regular concerts for emerging musicians; the Progressive Christian Network of Victoria; and a support group that meets weekly.

Within the congregation there are groups such as Common Threads, a library and book chat, Something for the Spirit and the Fellowship Table. A musical ensemble has been making music together for nearly 40 years, since professional flautist Glenda Williams invited people to bring their instruments to a family camp in the late 1980s.

Spaces for hire

Behind its traditional exterior, the church has highly usable and versatile facilities. The main church can be set up in majestic or intimate layouts, and the adjoining hall, meeting rooms and renovated kitchen are truly functional. If you're looking for a venue for a community group or event, ring the office to arrange a tour.

Visit Stonnington Community Uniting Church

Stonnington Community Uniting Church is at 57-59 Burke Road, East Malvern, on the corner of Coppin Street. The office is open Monday to Thursday from 9am to noon. Email stonningtoncommunityuc@iinet.net.au to find out more.

Contact

Stonnington Community Uniting Church
57-59 Burke Road, Malvern East VIC 3145 (corner Coppin Street)
Email: stonningtoncommunityuc@iinet.net.au
Website: stonningtonchurch.org.au
Hours: Sunday service 10.30am (1st Sunday of the month 11am); office Mon–Thu 9am–12 noon

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