BACKGROUND
LOCATION:
Heathmont is a single congregation church
within the Presbytery of Maroondah. The church property is
situated at 89 Canterbury Road just above the Heathmont Village
Shopping Centre. The manse is located at next to the church
property.
One of the parking areas of the church is between the church and
manse and extends to a street at the rear of the church (Stoda
Street). Also situated at the rear of the church and facing Stoda
Street is a youth accommodation centre, 'Haystack' House which is
owned by the church and presently supervised by Harrison
Community Services.
THE HEATHMONT COMMUNITY
Heathmont is situated in the City of Maroondah approximately 25 kilometres east of the G.P.O. Melbourne. It is served by a direct rail link on the Melbourne to Belgrave line and by cross-feeder bus services. The suburb is inherently attractive, being hilly in character and endowed generously with native and other flora. It is in the approaches to the Dandenong Ranges: distinctive Mount Dandenong being visible from most areas.
Originally an orchard area, Heathmont essentially is a residential suburb with consequential commuting to and from work for most of the working population. There is light industrial activity in some nearby suburbs and considerable commercial activity in Ringwood.
Most of the homes in Heathmont are of modern construction, with a proportion of desirable older weatherboard houses.
It has been said of the Heathmont area that it has retained a 'village' atmosphere.
HEATHMONT CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY - Ecumenical activities
Within Heathmont four Christian Churches (Uniting, Anglican, Baptist and Presbyterian) have joined together to run an Op Shop and Welfare Service within the main shopping area - HICH. (Heathmont Inter Church Help). The main emphasis of the welfare is emergency food relief, as well as planned financial support in conjunction with Maroondah Social and Community Health Centre, Ringwood and Eastern Secondary Colleges and Reach Out To Kids Organisation.
The ministers meet together as a Ministers' Fellowship group. Easter and Christmas information leaflets for letterbox drops are planned in co-operation.
There is a possibility of ministry within the wider community as a Chaplain in the Eastland Shopping Complex at the Eastland Welcome Centre. The Maroondah Ministers' Fellowship meets regularly fostering an ecumenical strength within the area.
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH
The Heathmont Methodist Church worship commenced in February, 1952 in the building where the Uniting Church office is now situated.
Worship started at St. Andrew's Heathmont Presbyterian Church in Waterloo Street in April, 1958.
The present Uniting Church Worship Centre was opened in August, 1967 (as the Methodist Church). Throughout 1974 a joint committee of Heathmont Methodist and Presbyterian churches met. On the 5th October, 1975, the two congregations met in Canterbury Road and held a joint morning worship service at the Canterbury Road Church and together we became one congregation.
The WORSHIP CENTRE was built in 1967 and is a building with a pyramid - shaped roof with fixed pew seating for approximately 235 people. The completely carpeted space is oblong, with approximately one quarter given over to the worship centre, with a slightly raised sanctuary, in the middle at the front. The worship centre may be entered from either of two entrance doors leading to two aisles. A large foyer is also carpeted and curtained (to minimise noise).