76 Seventh Avenue, Maylands, 1904
A stone tablet in the wall records: "The original stone was laid by Miss Jessie Ross on behalf of the scholars of the Sunday School on Wednesday 7th September 1904. Kids Open Learning School founded by Margaret and Graham Hodgkin - 1975, bought this building, Maylands Presbyterian Church September 1979".
A plaque in the footpath records: 76 Seventh Avenue - former - Presbyterian - Church - Circa 1900 - This church thought to be - the earliest built in the town - centre. It has played an - important part in the - cultural life of the local - community.
The former manse on the right is now also part of the school. Click for larger size.
From the Heritage Council page for Maylands Primary School: "Before the construction of the Infants’ School on the opposite side of Sixth Avenue, across the road from the original school, Infant classes were also held in the Methodist Church Hall and in the Presbyterian Church Hall, both near the School."
William Frederick Turton was the minister in 1911.
The church hall was (and possibly still is) attached to the rear of the church, on two levels, the top one accessed by wooden stairs (going up) from Seventh Avenue, and the lower one from the back of the building, I think by going down a few stairs. As I recall, there was a dark and mysterious stair internally linking the two which was closed and never used - but I may have dreamt that up.
I attended sunday school here c. 1949-59. The minister at the time was Arthur Burtenshaw. His son Doug was the same age as me. I see online that a Rockingham school called Tranby College, a Uniting Church school, had a Doug Burtenshaw as its first principal in 1997. I don't know if he was the same person as the one I knew, but it would not be surprising if a Presbyterian minister's son became a Uniting Church principal.
The Sunday School classes were conducted in the hall. I played the piano for the hymns.
The building is now used by the Bold Park Community School for Year 10-12 students.
Link to school info — and its website, which is not currently online.
Garry Gillard | New: 17 December, 2021 | Now: 7 December, 2023