Cleve Uniting Church

No Foundation Stone or Memorial Plauqe details are known. Information/photographs are invited.

A plaque records: This plaque serves to - commemorate 100 years - of worship in this church - 1885 ~ 1985 - Unveiled by - Mr Wesley Crosby - 13th October 1985. A heritage sign on the fence records: Cleve Uniting Church ~ First Building ~ First Church ~ First School - Until 1893 there were only two buildings in the town. There was the Methodist Church and William Forbes' house. Although there were settlers arriving and taking up farming interests, the town of Cleve developed very slowly. Built as the Wesleyan Methodist Church, this was the first building in the town of Cleve 1885, and the first church in the Franklin Harbour district. - There was not enough money for the roofing of the new building but Mr Thomas Sims, an Anglican, in true ecumenical spirit, came to the rescue. He purchased all the necessary materials, paid all shipping costs, and carted them from Arno Bay to the church site, telling the worried Methodist that they could pay for them at a later date. - Being the only public building it was used as the school until 1912, and for concerts, meetings and other gatherings. A porch was added unto the church in 1945. When the church was re-roofed in 1996 the original iron was 111 years old - The first Sunday School Hall of wood and iron was built in 1912. It was also used for many functions including brass band practise and wedding receptions. - ... When it was discovered that 'Billy Borer' and 'Willy Whate Ant' was playing havoc with the old building it was decided to build a new SundaySchool Hall. It was built in 1957....

A plaque records: Wesleyan Methodist - 1885 - Methodist - 1900 - 1977 - Uniting Church in Australia.