MURRAY DISTRICTS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Located at the Old Schoolmaster's House, Edenvale Heritage Precinct, Pinjarra.
We are open to the public on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am – 3 pm, or by appointment.
Visit us to view our current photographic display: Stories of West Murray.
Did you know that the stretch of Murray River – including the north and south banks – from Ravenswood to the estuary was known for many years as West Murray? The name Yunderup was universally adopted as late as the 1970’s
Do You Know That?
On the corner of George Street and Pinjarra Road stands the Trinity Uniting Church.
It was built in 1910 as a Methodist Church then in 1977 the congregations in Australia of the Presbyterian Church, Congregational Union of Australia and Methodist Church combined to create the Uniting Church.
When the original Church was completed the west wall was left in weatherboard so an addition could be made in the future. Extensions were delayed until 1934-5 due to World Wars 1 and 2 and the Great Depression but eventually a vestry, kitchen, manse and Church hall extensions were built. In 2006 the tile roof was replaced with metal.
The Methodists had a succession of Ministers, including the greatly respected Reverend A J Hodge, who retired in Pinjarra and died there in 1924, aged 56.
It was reported that ‘his funeral took place on Wednesday March 26, and was very largely attended by residents of Pinjarra and showed the respect and esteem in which the late minister was held by all classes. A touching and graceful tribute to the deceased's memory, during the progress of the funeral procession to the (Pinjarra public) cemetery, was that shown by the head teacher of the Pinjarra State School Mr A. R Cantwell who had all the pupils and staff lined up inside the school fence in a long line, with representatives of the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides on the outside, all with reverent attention and bowed heads as the cortege passed by the school. It was a beautiful tribute to the passing of a good man.’
When a Methodist Minister Reverend Mitchell visited the Hills towns in the 1910s he had nowhere to stay. The Catholic priest Father Fahey allowed him to stay in his quarters in Dwellingup for a time and the Hills people promptly referred to him as Father O’Mitchell !!
The first marriage to be conducted at the Pinjarra Methodist Church was on the 11th October, 1911.
This was the marriage between Mena Anne Carter and Errol Cyrus Carlton Birch.
Follow our monthly articles in the Community Newspaper for more information about the history of Pinjarra and the heritage buildings of the Murray District. And we always welcome any stories or photos you are willing to share with us.
For more photos and stories of the rich history of the Murray, look at our Website murrayhistory.org.au/home or visit us at the Old Schoolmaster’s House within the Edenvale Heritage Precinct.
Do you have an interest in the history of Pinjarra and the Murray Districts?
If you would like to become one of our volunteers, please advise Jill on 0408 846 567 or by email alanjill37@hotmail.com
And we welcome new members.
For information about the Murray Districts Historical Society, its membership and its activities,
please contact our secretary Dawn Hodgkinson by email: led.zep@live.com.au
For assistance with research or general questions about local history, contact Merv Beacham on 0417 986 838, Penny Hoffman on 0407 422 771 or Val King on 0458 673 608