The holy Scriptures are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:15-17).
Our Mission
As part of the worldwide Church of Jesus Christ, we want to obey His command to make disciples of all nations, to baptise them in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Sprit, and to teach them to obey all the He has commanded.
We therefore reach out to the world of which we are part. We endeavour to build relationships with our local community, but we also support missionary work in other parts of the world.
About us
Our congregation was established in the mid 1850’s. The first buildings also served as the St. Andrews College, the first school in town. Since 1901, the congregation has been part of the Presbyterian Church of Australia.
St Andrews College, the first school in Naracoorte
We are a Reformed church which holds to the Bible as the ultimate rule for faith and practice. We subscribe to the Westminster Confession of Faith as subordinate standard as the way we understand the Scriptures.
Over the years our numbers have been dwindling, but we are still committed to a clear witness of the Gospel in our community.
New talents, initiatives, and skills will be invaluable.
You are welcome!
Our leadership
The term “presbyterian” comes from the Greek word for elder. The spiritual welfare of the congregation is the responsibility of elected elders. Some elders have the responsibility to care and build up the congregation in the faith. They also oversee the general discipline of the congregation. These elders are the ‘ruling elders’.
Our ruling elders are Stuart McLean, Malcolm McLean and Tom Loechel.
We also have a ‘teaching’ elder. His main task is to expound the Bible through preaching, teaching, pastoral visitation, and Bible studies.
Our teaching elder is Rudi Schwartz.
Rudi was born in South Africa. He trained at the University of Pretoria and attained a B.A. (Hebrew, Greek, and Afrikaans). Through further study he attained a Batchelor’s degree in Theology. He also completed further requirements to qualify for a post graduate diploma in Theology, specialising in church history.
Rudi and Heila and their family migrated to Australia in 1994, after he was received into the ministry of the Presbyterian Church of Australia. He has served in several congregations, Naracoorte being one of them (2000-2003). He retired in 2020.
Rudi also served as a patrol padre of the Presbyterian Inland Mission, a ministry founded by Dr John Flynn of the Inland, renowned for the formation of the Flying Doctors Service, the School of the Air, medical care in far-flung outback communities, vital communication through pedal radios, and Christian ministry through patrolling padres who went beyond the “furthest fences” of Inland Australia to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. (John Flynn is the famous face on the Australian $20.00 note!)
In September 2024 Rudi was appointed to once again minister in Naracoorte for a limited term.
Rudi and Heila have four married children and thirteen grandchildren.
Rudi is available for pastoral counselling. You are welcome to contact him.
Committee of Management
At the annual congregational meeting, a Committee of Management is elected and appointed to take care of the ‘hardware’ of the congregation. The Committee oversees the maintenance of the buildings, the grounds, and the financial affairs of the congregation.
Dunbar Homes (P/L)
Dunbar Homes is an arm of the congregation. The Board of Dunbar Homes oversees the provision and maintenance of homes/units within its portfolio.
Steps have been put in place to add two brandnew units to the existing portfolio of 19 units, all built on the extensive land surrounding the church buildings. The land was donated by Mr William MacIntosh back in the mid 1850’s when the congregation was established..
We are extremely proud of this arm of care and service to our community.
Contact Elder Stuart McLean if you want to know more about Dunbar.
Naracoorte Presbyterian Church 