The Bacchus Marsh Parish comprises three communities,
located in Bacchus Marsh, Pentland Hills and Parwan South.

All three congregations are in the process of seeking how to minister to and with their local communities. We are working out how we will operate within the new church structures and what our visions for mission are in the immediate, three and five year periods. We are searching for the best ways to meet peoples’ various worshiping needs and to reach everyone pastorally.

Our Elders are trying to work out the parameters of roles in the new structures. Elders’ Retreat Days are used to discuss these and other matters, and discern God’s vision for the future.

St.Andrew’s Uniting Church, Bacchus Marsh

The St. Andrews church is centrally located in the town and it’s facilities are used every day by the Bacchus Marsh community and the surrounding district.

Bacchus Marsh is a lovely town with a long history of market gardening and farming. Turning off the Western Highway, 50 km from Melbourne, one drives between a beautiful avenue of elm trees honouring those who served in the first world war. On either side are orchards and wayside fruit stalls.

In recent years many farms close to Bacchus Marsh have been subdivided creating new housing in all directions so that the town now resembles a mat with uneven fringe around the edges. Particularly popular are housing sites on steep ground bordering the Pentland Hills.

Many of the newer residents have a background in the church, but find that family and sporting interests often take precedence over church involvement. There is a large core of mostly retired people who live in the older section of the town. These are very loyal and committed worshipers.

Also, to one side of the mat there is a block of government built housing. Many who live here are struggling financially and have family and employment problems. Distance from services adds to peoples’ isolation and general difficulties. Loneliness is a big factor in the lives of many in this town and district.

One of the strengths of our churches is in the area of music. We have several excellent musicians and many enthusiastic and tuneful singers. We really enjoy singing! There is a willingness to try new tunes, consequently a variety of hymns and songs are enjoyed.

Pentland Hills Uniting Church, Myrniong

The Pentland Hills Church is a light on the hill and a centre for several ecumenical activities for the district. The community meets fortnightly to worship as an open and welcoming community of God’s people, seeking to grow in faith and serve God by reaching out to the wider community.

The Myrniong and surrounding district is changing from one based mainly on established farming families to be more based on rural lifestyle commuters. There has in recent times been a large - and continuing - influx of younger families with children.

Thelma Ross Memorial Church, Parwan South

The Parwan South church which is very peaceful place in the midst of paddocks, has modern hall with good facilities. Part of our vision there is to make the facilities available to groups and individuals for Quiet Days for prayer and meditation.

Parwan is a sparsely populated farming district with gently undulating hills 10 km to the South of the town, towards Geelong.