We are a small inclusive community journeying together as we seek to be just and compassionate. All will find a warm welcome here – the vulnerable, frail, young or old, anyone experiencing mental health issues, and members of the rainbow community.

We believe we are called to be with the marginalised in the struggle for equality for all – regardless of race, gender, physical ability, mental ability, economic ability, education, gender orientation, faith background or age. We have people who have been a part of the worshipping community for close to a century and those who have no church background. Our faith family is made up of families, singles, partners and people of all ages.

We believe in a loving God who connects us all. As followers of Jesus and his way we attempt to dedicate ourselves to living out this faith as he did. We focus on supporting the vulnerable, striving for justice for those on the margins, healing, reconciliation and living in harmony with the environment.

SERVICES

We would love you to join us for worship. We meet weekly on Sundays at 10am, with communion held during the service on the third Sunday of every month. Our worship services are casual but follow a traditional style. Our worship music covers a wide spectrum, usually utilising our 150 year-old pipe organ, the only one of its kind in Australia, to share in modern and traditional worship songs.

Baptisms are offered as part of worship on Sundays that are convenient for the families.

We are a gay-friendly church and hold rainbow services for the LGBTIQ+ community throughout the year.

During the week, our welcoming church community offers many other activities and groups for locals and visitors to engage with. We also offer facilities for venue hire for community groups as well as individuals, same gender and dual gender weddings, commitment ceremonies and renewal of vows.

WE ARE THE UNITING CHURCH

The Uniting Church SA seeks to be an innovative, growing church proclaiming Jesus Christ, empowered by the Spirit to transform God’s world. Read More.

The Uniting Church is a young church – formed on 22 June 1977, when the Congregational, Methodist, and Presbyterian Churches united to become one. The Basis of Union is the document which affirms our Christian faith and is the guide to what is central to the life of the Uniting Church in Australia. Read the Basis of Union here.

CHURCH HISTORY

Semaphore Uniting Church was built in 1867 as a Methodist Church. The beautiful bluestone came from the ballast used in ships that arrived in South Australia the 1800s.

In 1977, our congregation became part of the new Uniting Church in Australia, which was formed through the union of the Methodist, Presbyterian and Congregational Churches in Australia. 

Pipe organ

Our pipe organ, built in 1870 in England, fell into disrepair for many years, but a generous donation allowed it to be restored to its former glory. The organ is now regularly used in our Sunday worship services.

Semaphore Methodist Church purchased the organ for £275, and an additional £254 was charged for cartage and installation. It was unveiled on 15 September, 1903.

In October 2023, we will be celebrating 120 years since the pipe organ was installed. Date TBA.

The organ was built by P.C. Conacher and Co. Huddersfield England. It has three keyboards, each with 56 notes, and the pedal board contains 30 notes. There are 17 speaking stops, five couplers and a total of 986 pipes. The largest pipes are approximately 8 feet long and the smallest pipes are half an inch. An electric blower was installed in 1929.

During the power restrictions of the war years, the young men of the church were called upon to power the organ, but they were unable to sustain sufficient power to allow the pedal organ to be used.

We are very excited to be able to share this amazing organ with you – why not come and enjoy hearing it play again at one of our services!

MEET THE MINISTER

Portrait of Rev. Frances Bartlett

Rev. Frances Bartlett is our new minister. She worked as a registered nurse for over 40 years, and during that time, she recognised that it was the spiritual care of people that brought healing. She went on to become a chaplain at the Repat. Hospital at Daw Park and continued training as a minister. She was ordained in 2013 and has worked at Murray Bridge Uniting, Lefevre Uniting and now Semaphore Uniting Church. She has been a chaplain at Resthaven for eight years.

Frances enjoys providing spiritual care for the elderly as well as young people, and she likes to make the church a place for community, fun and friendship.

Frances is a trained yoga teacher and enjoys swimming, reading and walking. She looks forward to meeting you.

Minister’s Hours: Thursdays and Fridays, 9am – 5pm, and Sundays.

minister@semaphore.ucasa.org.au

HALL HIRE, WEDDINGS, FUNERALS

For hall hire, weddings and funerals, click here.