Church History

Christ church kensington

Our Church History

Our congregation grew out of a strong ecumenical relationship between Churches in Kensington during the late 1960’s and 1970’s. One of the strong ties between Kensington Christians was forged through the operation of MACS opportunity shop (Methodist, Anglican, Catholic and Salvation Army).It was against this background that the Holy Trinity Anglican Church approached the Methodist Church in 1970 concerning the sharing of the Methodist buildings. Following negotiations and alterations to the sanctuary, by 1972 Methodist services were being held on Sundays at 10.30am and 7pm while Anglican services were held at 9am Sundays and 10am on Wednesdays. The two congregations met together for morning tea between the services on Sunday morning.

By 1974 a combined Anglican/Methodist service of Holy Communion was being held on one Sunday per month at 10am. Growth of the relationship continued and by mid-1975 plans were developing for a formal recognition of that growth. The untimely death of the Anglican Priest delayed plans for some time. Kensington Methodists became part of the Uniting Church at its inauguration in 1977 and continued to walk the path with the Kensington Anglicans.

The first Covenant document which was signed on Advent Sunday 1980 has been reviewed and renewed regularly since then. In 1982 the two congregations came together as the Kensington Joint congregation. The name ‘Christ Church Kensington – an Anglican/Uniting Congregation’ (CCK) was adopted on Advent Sunday 1996. Our Sunday worship offers elements from both traditions. Previous Ministers of the Word have come from both the Anglican and Uniting Church communions.