Yilki Uniting Church

Prior to the building of the Yilki Uniting Church (Map), local services had been held at the Tabernacle Church, Encounter Bay. 

When it was decided to build a new church at Encounter Bay, Cain Jelliff Rumbelow served on the Building Committee.  Land for the church was donated by the Jefferis family, Mary Rumbelow donated the limestone for the building and Cain Rumbelow procured the granite rock from West Island for the foundation stone. 

The foundation stone was laid on 1st November 1919 by Robert Sweetman, Sunday School Superintendent and Chairman of the District Council of Encounter Bay. 

The contract to build the church was won by Johannes Fred Bartel at a cost of 300 pounds. It was built of limestone with brick facings, a porch and could seat 100 people. The church has a high gabled roof with a small porch, also with a gabled roof. 

The bell from the Tabernacle Church is now located on the current church building. 

The church was originally named the Jefferis Memorial Church in memory of the Rev. Dr. James Jefferis who previously held church services in his home, the Fountain Inn.

Jefferis was a minister in the Congregational Church. He came to South Australia when he was 26 and became minister in the North Adelaide Congregational Church. He was such a success that the biggest Congregational church in Sydney, in Pitt St, asked him to be their minister in 1877.

On 17 April 1901 he retired from public life, having served the Brougham Place church for 26 years, and Congregationalism for 43. 

His retirement was spent reading, studying, walking and beachcombing. No longer entitled to a manse, he built "Elbury House" on Tyne Street, Gilberton, and around Christmas 1894 purchased "Yelki", a house on Encounter Bay, as a summer retreat. It was once the "Fountain Inn", South Australia's first licensed premises. After her husband's death, Mrs Jefferis sold "Elbury House", and lived permanently at "Yelki", which remained in the family for many years.

The Yilki Church played a part in much of the Rumbelow and descendant lives.

Phylis and Shirley Rumbelow were central to the church committee, and were even involved in ringing the church bell.

Rex Tilbrook made a cross out of a large bolt from one of the early wrecks, quite possibly the South Australian or the Solway.

Most of the church ministers were active in the Victor Harbor community

The Yilki Uniting Church, Encounter Bay celebrated its centenary on 3/11/2019.

Clergy:

This list may not contain every serving cleric, past or present, for this church.

Years  Name  Annotation

1916 - 1921 Rev A. C. Stevens M.A.

1921 - 1929 Rev J. D. Northey B.A.

1929 - 1935 Rev Chas Watts

1935 - 1940 Rev C. Denis Ryan B.A.

2011 - Rev Steve Thompson

2014 - 2023 Rev Casey Lau

Weddings:

1855 - Sophia RUMBELOW & William ROBINSON

1917 - Gordon Leslie ADEY & L M HOLLINGSWORTH 

1920 - Ida Gladys BOLGER & Charles WALKER

1922 - Irene Jean STRAWBRIDGE & Alfred James COBB

1925 - Eva Rita BOLGER & Gordon Leslie ADEY

1926 - Winifred Norma STRAWBRIDGE & Harry WEARNE

1927 - Dulcie Gwendoline RUMBELOW & Vernard James SWAIN

1929 - Dulcie Helena RUMBELOW & Ernest George HENDERSON

1933 - Sylvia Rose STRAWBRIDGE & Howard SWAIN

1938 - Florence Lorraine RUMBELOW & Lawrence Edward William ROSSER

1940 - David Murray SHANNON & Kathleen Annie DOVER

1943 - Shirley Dawn HEATH & Geoffrey Malen RUMBELOW

1959 - Mary Ruth RUMBELOW & Ronald Henry MOFFATT

1961 - Freda Anne KEMP & Joseph Donald SCOTT

1963 - Elwynne Joyce RUMBELOW & Philip PRESTON

1966 - Kevin James RUMBELOW & Maxine Shirley TUCKER

1967 - Malen Stuart RUMBELOW & Meredith Anne KNOX

1984 - Alma Rita TUGWELL & Malcolm Lewes ELLIS

1999 - Frederick William WATSON & Betty Joan Ellen HICKMAN

Baptisms:

1920 - Fredrick Ivan (Ivan) BARTEL

1925 - John Donald BARTEL

1939 - Janet Frances RUMBELOW

1945 - Malen Stuart RUMBELOW

1945 - Julie Ann SHANNON

1947 - David Christopher SHANNON

1967 - Elizabeth Anne (Lisa) RUMBELOW

1969 - Karen Mary RUMBELOW

Yilki church rings in 100th anniversary

• 04/11/2019

• Jack Manning 

Churchgoers at the Yilki Jefferis Memorial Uniting Church have rung in its 100th anniversary in style, with many joining in celebrations held on Sunday November 3. 

The Moderator of the Uniting Church South Australia, Reverend Sue Ellis, was the preacher on the day, together with the Minister in placement, Reverend Casey Lau.

Following the service, those in attendance enjoyed glasses of punch and nibbles al-fresco style, while a sumptuous luncheon was prepared.

After lunch there was time allowed for reflections on memories of the past.

Looking back at over 100 years of history proved fascinating and prompted animated discussion about the early church services that were conducted in the bar of the Fountain Inn by the incumbent Minister Reverend James Jefferis.

His “eloquence and liberal approach to religion” were highlighted as key factors in growing congregation numbers in those early days.

The celebrations drew to a close with cake cutting formalities, which were enjoyed and shared by all.

The Church, in Giles Street, Encounter Bay was recently declared a Heritage Listed Building and has undergone significant maintenance with the professional advice of a heritage architect and the support of the City of Victor Harbor.

Before Yilki’s construction, services were held at the Tabernacle Church, constructed by English settlers in 1839.

One-hundred years of history celebrated at Yilki Uniting Church

21/10/2019

Jack Manning

Yilki Uniting Church in Giles Street, Encounter Bay is gearing up to celebrate its 100th anniversary this November.

The church was recently declared a Heritage Listed Building and the land on which it sits, was originally donated in memory of James Jefferis (1833-1917).

Mr Jefferis was a congregational minister, lecturer and journalist, born Bristol UK, who travelled to Adelaide in 1859 where he was initially installed as the Pastor of the new North Adelaide Congregational Church.

In 1894 Jefferis bought the Fountain Inn in at Encounter Bay, renaming it Yelki; and in summer he held services in the Inn’s old bar.

Mr Jefferis was well known for his commitment to social justice and liberal theology, which included support for non-sectarian education and the trade union movement and his life remains an inspiration to the contemporary Yilki Uniting Church.

Before Yilki’s construction, services were held at the Tabernacle Church, constructed shortly after English settlers arrived in Encounter Bay in 1839. It’s original bell now sits atop Yilki Uniting.

In recent years, sensitive and necessary maintenance has been undertaken with the professional advice of a heritage architect and the support of the City of Victor Harbor. This work is now complete and the 100th anniversary of the church is greatly anticipated.

Sunday November 3 marks the momentous occasion and there will be a worship service held from 10.30am followed by a lunch in the church hall. Festivities will continue into the afternoon and a memorial booklet will be available, featuring the church’s significant history.