Dates

• Existence: 7 April 1859 - 1 May 1888

History

Five presbyteries were created in April 1859 at the inaugural General Assembly meeting of the newly-formed Presbyterian Church of Victoria comprised of the Free Presbyterian Church of Victoria; Synod of the United Presbyterian Church of Victoria and the Synod of the United Presbyterian Church of Australia. The five provisional presbyteries were Geelong, Ballaarat, Castlemaine, Kilnoorat and Portland.

The Presbytery of Castlemaine then consisted of the congregations of Scots Church, Castlemaine, Sandhurst, Maldon,and Kyneton.

In 1888 the presbytery was split in two forming the two new presbyteries of Maryborough and Sandhurst. The congregations of the Presbytery prior to the split consisted of Avoca, Carisbrook, Castlemaine, Charlton, Dunolly, Eaglehawk, Echuca, Inglewood, Kerang, Maldon, Maryborough, Newstead, Rochester, Sandhurst, Swan Hill, Talbot and Wedderburn.

In November 1888 it was resolved that the Presbytery of Castlemaine should be divided into two Presbyteries, forming the Presbyteries of Maryborough and Sandhurst.

The Presbytery of Maryborough to consist of Maryborough, Dunolly, Avoca, Talbot, Carisbrook, Tarnagulla, Maldon, Newstead, with St. Arnaud and Donald, which are to be excised from the Presbytery of Wimmera.

The Presbytery of Sandhurst to consist of Castlemaine, Sandhurst, Sandhurst West, Eaglehawk, Golden Square, Axedale, Rochester, Swan Hill, Echuca, Charlton, Wedderburn, Korong Vale, Boort and Mysia, Durham Ox and Kerang, Inglewood, and Heathcote which is to be excised from the Presbytery of Macedon. Further, that Taradale should be added to the Presbytery of Macedon.

Topics

• Formation of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria -- Date: 7 April 1859