Eden Valley Baptist Chapel

Prior to the formation of a chapel at Eden Valley the Baptist congregation worshipped at the South Rhine Baptist Chapel at Eltham from 1861 or the Salt Creek Zion Baptist Church which operated from 1862. By 1867, however, the congregation had tired of travelling the five miles to attend the Chapel and they then worshipped in a private classroom of Mrs Ann Philpott's, which was the front room of her cottage on the corner of the main Eden Valley road and Rushlea road. In the newspapers of the day mention is made of the fundraising made towards the chapels at South Rhine and Eden Valley in the years preceding 1869.

The Eden Valley Baptist Chapel was opened in September 1869 and mention was made that it was in a prominent position, and a report of the actual construction in October 1869. 

In a newspaper report...

 South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900)Saturday 2 January 1869 - Page 3

The land on which the chapel is to be erected has been kindly given by Mr. Wm. Lillecrapp, of Gumeracha, and a Committee has been formed and Trustees appointed, so that we may shortly expect to see the building commenced.

 South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900)Saturday 21 August 1869 - Page 3 

Our Baptist friends are getting their new chapel finished. The building is in a conspicuous place, and will be an ornament to the township. Opening services are arranged to take place shortly, and success is expected as the result.

In the history book, This Valley of Eden: a history of Eden Valley, on pp 110 it mentions that the church was situated on the "crest of the hill, opposite Randell's Flour Mill (later Buckerfield's Wheat Store, and in due course, the site of Mr Penfold Hyland's distillery). It was not until 1899, however that the Church at Eden Valley was received into the Baptist Union.

Evening Journal (Adelaide, SA : 1869 - 1912)Wednesday 1 September 1869 - Page 2

NEW BAPTIST CHAPEL, EDEN VALLEY.—The opening of the Eden Valley Baptist Chapel took place on Sunday. August 23, when two sermons were preached by the Rev, B, Parkin, of Magill, to large audiences. Next day a public tea was attended by settlers from all directions. In the evening Mr. N. M. Howard presided, and addresses were delivered by the Chairman and the Revs. R. Parkin. T. C. Baker, and W. O. Ashton.

The proceedings were considered very successful. To clear off the small debt resting on the chapel lectures will be delivered shortly. Proceeds of opening services over £13.

A manse was built with capital of 100 pounds, donated by the Angas family, and this was erected at the base of the allotment on which the chapel had been constructed. Ministers for the chapel resided there until 1914 but after Rev Norman Campbell left the residence was then leased. 

In 1890 the Rev F C B Fairey presented his photogenic diorama of a journey from Albury to the sea, a total of 1476 miles, along the River Murray. All proceeds were in aid of the Eden Valley Baptist Church. The ministers were in charge of the South Rhine Baptist Chapel, Eden Valley Baptist Chapel and the Salt Creek Baptist Chapel, with regular fundraising to support the various churches and the Eden Valley manse. 

Kapunda Herald (SA : 1878 - 1951), Friday 27 May 1904, page 3

The Baptist Church here is undergoing renovation, and will be reopened shortly. It is generally recognised that the renovation will greatly improve the appearance of the church.

A new chapel was built and opened in 1928. This is today's Lillifield Gallery.

The foundation stone of the Eden Valley Baptist Chapel was laid by Mr A. W. Lillecrapp, who was presented with an engraved trowel to commemorate the occasion by Rev A C Hill. In November Mr H A Rogers officially opened the chapel and was presented with a suitable engraved key by Miss Elizabeth Lillecrapp.

To celebrate a fair was held in the afternoon, followed by a concert in the institute hall in the evening.

The church is of a gothic design with a frontage of Mount Lofty freestone and built by G N Dalwitz of Angaston, at a cost of 200 pounds. Soft furnishings, two windows and copper flower bowls were presented by the Church Club, of which Miss E Loechal, was secretary.

The building committee consisted of Messrs A W Lillecrapp (president), R H Rogers (secretary and treasurer), H A Rogers, E Rogers, J H Thyer, G Brookes, M Rogers, K and C Lillecrapp, H Loechel and A Pinson.

Today the chapel is used as a gallery, and each weekend visitors are able to peruse the latest offerings from local craftspeople.