As we Presbyterians of Portland are celebrating the centenary of the opening of the present church in which we worship today, I though it might be permissable to give just a very short sketch of the early days of the church in Victoria and this district in particular.

The first minister to arrive in Victoria, or 'Port Phillip' as it was then called, was the Rev. Robert Knopwood, who was Chaplain to Lieutenant-Governor Collins in 1803 at the settlement at 'Sullivan's Bay,' near present Sorrento. He preached his first sermon in Victoria to a congregation of convicts, free settlers and Royal Marines, Governor Collins also attending. He also officiated at the first funeral and conducted the first marriage and baptism in Victoria. The settlement faded out in 1804.

In 1834 a service was conducted in Portland in a barn, but by whom it is not stated.

The first ordained minister to conduct service in Melbourne was Rev. James Yelverton Wilson, who preached to a good assembly under the 'Sheoaks' in April, 1836. Rev. James Clow also preached at the 'Tent Doors' later the same year.

Presumably about August, 1841, the Rev. Adam Compton Thomson (Anglican) visited Portland to conduct services; he also baptised several children. The first marriage performed in Portland by Mr. Thomson was that of Henry Deacon and Sarah Pyers.

Portland was founded in the year 1834. Between that date and February, 1842, there is no evidence of Presbyterian worship. Men of Scottish blood were being attracted here, bringing with their love of the church of their fathers, and soon from both Portland and Belfast (Port Fairy) there came an earnest application for the Ordinances to which they had been accustomed. In the beginning of 1840, they sent an urgent appeal the the Church of Scotland for assistance, and in 1841 the 'Colonial Committee' of that church sent out three men to attend to the needs of Port Phillip District. Of these three men the Rev. Alexander Laurie was appointed to Portland and arrived here on 8th February, 1842. He came with the reputation of a scholar and a superior teacher, also of a man with good business knowledge and last, but not least, 'some ability to ride a horse.' The statement has been made that he was the only ordained minister in the district of any denomination, and that all sects came to him for baptisms, marriages and burials.

A block of land at the corner of Gawler and Percy Streets was granted by the Government, and there a wooden building was erected which was used as a church and school building for a number of years. Mr. Laurie's work did not lie exclusively in Portland. He was the first minister to preach at Bridgewater at the home of Messrs. J. F. and R. S. Kittson (whose descendants, I believe, are still in the district). He travelled among the stations along the Glenelg and Wannon Rivers, also around Hamilton and Port Fairy which he reached during the summer of 1943. He obtained a grant of land there from a private donor as a site for a church, and induced the people to build it by voluntary labor. There is a description of the church still extant. The roof was of thatch, the floor of earth, the seats of slabs. The pulpit was a box nailed to a stump, but it appears the 'cause' was more flourishing at Port Fairy than at Portland, and Mr. Laurie received a call there signed by 78 persons, which he accepted, and in October, 1848, was duly inducted. He still continued to exercise supervision over Portland till 1848, when his official connection with the ministry and church ceased.

Amongst the men who gave Mr. Laurie most support and helped him to build the church in its earliest days were Donald Cameron, John Norman MacLeod, Major William Learmonth and John James Robertson. Mrs. Wm. Learmonth, who was very keenly interested in the welfare of children, gathered them together and, with the help of Mr. Laurie, started the first Sunday School.

After a lapse of a few months there was another minister inducted in the vacancy caused by the retirement of Mr. Laurie. This was the Rev. Thomas Elliott Richardson, M.A. He was inducted on the 14th February 1849 and preached in the Methodist church. He held very strongly to the doctrine of the Free Church of Scotland, and would have nothing to do with a church which in any way was supported by a Government. He refused to preach in, or use, the church which had been built in Rev. Laurie's time, as it stood on land made available by the Crown. It was permanently abandonded by the Presbyterian Church and Richardson secured another block of land on which the present church stands. This was donated by Mr. Cruickshank (a wealthy merchant of the town) and he forthwith proceeded to have a church built. Ten men subscribed £105, Mr. Cruickshank heading the list with £50. The first church erected was only part of the present structure (the southern end without the transcepts). The present church has been in use since 1849.

Following the example of his predecessor, Mr. Richardson visited stations as far as he could along the Wannon and Glenelg. He baptised at Takara (between Merino and Coleraine) Elizabeth, daughter of Andrew Templeton, born 16th of February, 1851 and at Mount Sturgeon (near Dunkeld) he baptised Jacobena Murdock on 6th of March, 1851. Certificate was held by Mr. James Crawford, of Victoria Valley, in 1920. There appears to have been some cloud on the Presbyterian cause in those days, as Mr. Richardson resigned in May, 1851. A copy of the letter covering his resignation was still in existence in 1920. He complained in that letter that "he does not receive the encouragement he expected. Donations had fallen off; also the attendance at worship." Taking the whole of his letter, it makes very pathetic reading. His office-bearers however, had confidence in him and tried to persuade him to carry on. Their efforts, however, were unavailing.

In September 1851, Rev. Andrew Ross was inducted. He brought with him a high reputation as a scholar and preacher, and under his guidance the charge rapidly gained ground. This was not only due to his own ability, for at that time Portland was growing rapidly, and becoming an important centre of immigration. Rev. Ross was much beloved by his people, but unfortunately he developed a serious illness, and in June, 1856, was compelled to resign. It was during his time in 1853 that part of the present manse was built.

There was a vacancy until April, 1857, when the Rev. William Radley came from New South Wales. He was promptly called, the 'call' being signed by 49 members and 35 adherents. This began a brief but most impressive ministry. He is described in one of the histories of the church as a man greatly beloved. It was he who commenced recording all the relevant facts relating to the church, and it is to these records that we are very much indebted today for our knowledge of the events connected with the Presbyterian Church in Portland.

It is interesting to note that Mr. Laurie, after his retirement from the ministry, became editor of the "Portland Guardian." I understand Mr. Richardson also took up journalistic duties on his retirement.

In the foregoing notes I have striven to give a very brief account of the early days of Presbyterianism in Portland and district. To anyone interested in seeking further information, I would say there is a fairly complete history compiled by the late Rev. Huey Steel (for some years minister at Coleraine). I have not seen this work, but knowing Mr. Steel's ability, and the source from which he gained his information, I would think his history would be very reliable.

There is also an abridged history locally prepared by Rev. John Priestly and written by Rev. W. Huey Steel. Of the former history there are three copies. One at the Manse, Portland; one at the Public Library, Melbourne; and one at the Mitchell Library, Sydney. On 16th December, 1920, a sermon by Rev. W. Tait on this subject was printed in the "Portland Guardian." Mr. Noel Learmonth, in his most interesting and valuable book, "The Portland Bay Settlement," gives a very interesting addition to these histories.

In writing these notes, I have striven to show how our fathers planted the church in this land. I well remember how earnest they were that the church should be well established and that its teaching should mould the lives of the rising generation. This does not only apply to the Presbyterians, but to all Christian churches. They recognised it as righteousness alone that exalts a nation. Today we are inclined to get away from the simple teaching of Christ and till we wholeheartedly try to follow and practice his teaching, we will continue to have turmoil.

I most earnestly appeal to all who have the welfare of this great country at heart, and who wish to see it prosper, both spiritually and temporally, to get round your ministers and help and encourage them in their great work. The founders of this land realised the great necessity for this work, and that need has now greatly increased.

Who is there now who is willing to say: -

He will take up the burden,
He will follow the road,
He will tread in the footsteps
That these men have trod.
Who will work and will labor,
That this land may be,
The land of the Loyal
And the land of the Free.
And we will hand to our sons
A heritage grand,
A heritage fair
In this Southern land,
A land they will be proud of,
A home they will love.
The old flag will still fly
This South land above.
The Banner of Freedom,
The ensign of love.
May its honor be stainless
Wherever it stand,
Wherever it wave
On sea or on land.