Harcourt Congregation

Location. The Harcourt Church is located at 30 Buckley Street, one block to the East of the local Petrol Station and Post Office. It is just a stone’s throw from what were the traditional camping grounds of the Liarga balug clan of the Dja Dja Wurrung People.

 

Sunday services at Harcourt are at 9.00am. If its the 5th Sunday in the month, the congregation joins with the Castlemaine congregation at 10.30am for common worship. See our News page for information about where services on these days are held. Normally, it's Castlemaine Uniting Church, but it can vary.

 

Worship Style. The congregation is very enthusiastic about the musical side of worship, singing from “Together in Song” with good leadership from our organist. Everybody is involved, taking turns on various rosters. Whether you are a good reader, a social justice activist, a singer, a flower-arranger, a gardener or just someone who likes to sit and listen, there is a place for you at Harcourt. There is always a cuppa after the service, which is nice and early in the day so that you can catch up with family or friends for lunch. Every Friday morning at 10.00, the congregation gathers with the minister for coffee at Harcourt General Store. The Harcourt congregation is an accepting, inclusive group offering worship, peace, growth, enrichment and community.

 

History.  Harcourt Church was originally a Methodist church, and was built in 1865. Constructed in granite, it is interesting to look at, but is better viewed inside at 9.00 am each Sunday.  It is now the only worship centre in the entire Harcourt valley, an area that has been designated by the Mount Alexander Shire as a growth area.

 

Buildings and Venue Hire.  The suite of buildings includes the Church itself and a large brick hall with an annexe (formerly the district kindergarten). The church hosts periodical concerts bringing together highly accomplished musicians. The hall is available for hire any day except Friday.

 

Community Connections. The congregation actively supports a number of local and national charities including the Castlemaine branch of the Society of St Vincent de Paul (St. Vinnies); ‘Uniting’, the welfare agency of the Uniting Church (Synod of Victoria & Tasmania); the asylum seeker programs of the Uniting Church; and Act for Peace. Each Friday, the hall hosts parents and  pre-school aged children for the Harcourt Playgroup.

 

Giving is done freely and according to a person's means from a desire to support our church locally and throughout its wider structures. Many people still make a weekly contribution in the Offering during Sunday service, but EFT is also popular. Account name: Uniting Church - Harcourt, BSB: 633-000 (Bendigo Bank), Account number: 18727267.

Another opportunity to share is the grocery collection that is taken every Sunday and then delivered to the Castlemaine branch of St Vincent de Paul.