More about Maclean Parish

The Parish: There has been an Anglican presence in the Lower Clarence for more than 160 years. Over that time, many have proclaimed and acknowledged the presence of Jesus in their lives, and many continue to do so today.

We are in a time of continual change where media, governments, the general public, and even people within the broader church, question many of the beliefs and basic fundamentals of Christianity.

However, these Christian fundamentals are the key to solving our individual problems, and to a closer walk with God in our daily lives leading to an inner peace. The CHRISTian Church, where Christ is the centre of everyday living, has a huge role to play today.

The parish has a core of committed Christian people. There are regular worship services at all centres and many active groups and programmes. Some of these take the Church out into the community in general: Court Care in Maclean; the Kairos ministry; the Magpie Group; hospital, aged care and home visitation programmes; the Op shop; teaching Scripture in schools. Other community activities include Meals-on-Wheels and the hospital auxiliary. Here they use their Christian ideals regularly and witness for God daily. The Cursillo movement; plays an active role in our Parish and many of us are now Cursillistas.

We have more than adequate buildings for worship and fellowship. The rectory however is a concern which the Parish Council is addressing, as is our finances. We have active fund-raising events which encourage those on the fringe to join in, whether it be fetes, fun dinners, cake stalls, lamington drives, soup-fests, etc.

Anglicare North Coast plays a role in the Parish with the management of housing units at Iluka, Maclean and Yamba.

The Lower Clarence Anglican newsletter goes to around 500 households every 2 months or so, however many recipients are not active worshippers. This is our challenge: to bring these folk to a closer walk with God and a deeper appreciation of the Love and the Peace He can bring. Very few young people come to our Anglican churches, but thankfully many do go to other churches so that the Christian message and beliefs are reaching them. Our annual Christingle service draws many young families from across the area.

We are a practicing and caring group of Christians, showing God’s love to all and reflecting His Peace. We need to build up our Bible study and our prayer time with God, both individually and as a congregation. We need to encourage each other, listen to each other, and share in fellowship, and praise God for all He has given – and continues to give – us.

Lawrence: Like the little town to which it belongs, the history of All Saints is full of ups and downs. Congregations have grown large or dwindled away as the fortunes of Lawrence have fluctuated.

The present Lawrence church celebrated its 100th birthday in 2003. However, the first Anglican presence dates back some 164 years when Rev. John McConnell visited parishioners on horse back or boat. The town was then known as Devil’s Elbow.

In 1865 Lawrence became the initial headquarters of the Lower Clarence Parish, and the first church was opened in 1868. Just 6 weeks later it was blown over in a cyclone. Within nine months another church was opened.

As Maclean township grew, Lawrence and its importance as a river port dwindled. So too the population, and the church fell into disrepair. The present church opened in l903, but the proposed parsonage and school on adjacent land never eventuated.

Today we have an active ladies fellowship group which serves the community. The annual soup lunches are a "must" for locals and others who come along.

Lawrence church continues to see changes – more recently in a new paint job, and the introduction of a second monthly service. We are praying that our congregation will grow in numbers and, more importantly, in their devotion to God.

Chatsworth: Located amid the sugar-cane farms of the Clarence River, St Luke’s Church has just passed its 120th birthday. That means it has been serving since farmers crushed their own cane by man- or horse-power while their wives fed stalks into the rollers. The church, built in the Gothic style, is a heritage building that still looks good today.

The congregation is small but very loyal. Although we are aging, we give active support to the community and to our parish. We look back over the years with a great feeling of gratitude for those stalwarts of the past who had faith and gave us hope for the future. Three or four generations of families have now attended church at Chatsworth: the Causleys, Ryans, Kratz and Andersons to mention a few. With ongoing loving care, St Luke’s will continue faithfully to serve the needs of the Anglican community at Chatsworth.

Iluka: Iluka's Anglican beginnings were in 1911, although the current St. Peter's church building has been in use as a church for only 26 years. The building itself is much older as it was once the bowls clubhouse, complete with bar and cold room!

Until 1965 the town was very isolated because the journey to Iluka involved crossing sections of the Clarence river three times by ferries. Until then Sunday services were unable to be held weekly. Congregations have fluctuated over the years as a result of this and the seasonal influx of tourists.

The village of Iluka is located on a peninsular of land that forms the Bundjalung National Park, and the Iluka Nature Reserve. This nature reserve contains the largest remaining stretch of littoral rainforest in NSW, and is now World Heritage listed. There is an extensive Aboriginal history associated with Iluka. Despite Iluka's remoteness, a large fishing industry was established nearly 120 years ago, and still thrives today. Iluka is bounded by untouched natural beauty which is truly a gift from God. The town is the base for our local Coast Guard operations.

St. Peter's provides a welcome to all who come to visit, especially at holiday time. The very active Guild works hard to hold two fetes each year. There is a wonderful feeling of outreach to others in the sewing the Guild does for home and overseas missions.

Unfortunately the Sunday School has recently closed. We are praying that this important ministry will re-start soon, and that our resident Anglicans might be led to come and worship with us.

Maclean: Known as the "Scottish town in Australia" for its annual Highland Gathering at Easter and for its other links to Scotland, Maclean is situated beside the mighty Clarence River. It is the administrative centre of the parish with an Anglicans presence dating back to 1883.

St. James’ congregation offers fellowship to all. The Ladies Guild work hard for the Op Shop each month and for the spectacular Flower Festival held each Spring. They provide teas for funerals and are willing workers for a number of Parish functions. Mothers’ Union has been very active providing help to others in the community through Court Care, to shut ins and via hospital visiting. Caritas provides a fellowship for those who are on the fringe. Like mant country towns, Maclean has an aging population, and the retirement homes are regularly visited for communion, a chat, and a sing-a-long.

The parish vision is to bring people to an understanding of Jesus and to a desire to follow him, through encouraging people to feel they belong: to a group, a fellowship, a church, the Body of Christ. We pray that His love will be felt flowing from us to all people in the community and that we will show people we do care about them.

Yamba: An Anglican church has been present in Yamba since 1876. The current building was opened in 1972. Situated at the mouth of the Clarence river, Yamba is a growing seaside town. Building is booming, and estate agents say they are running out of land to sell. Yamba is host to many visitors during the winter months as southerners come to enjoy warmer weather.

The lighthouse on Yamba’s hill, shines as a beacon to ships entering the river, just as we would wish our All Saints Church to shine for God and act as a beacon, drawing people to Him. Attendances at services can vary, but the warmth of welcome is very evident. Because Yamba is a holiday destination, we are blessed to have visitors join our worship services from time to time.

The introduction of breakfast (tea and toast) following the Sunday service is proving to be a wonderful way of sharing with others, and getting to know our fellow Christians. The Wednesday Eucharist followed by a bible study is attended by another enthusiastic group of worshippers.

There is a strong involvement in parish life with cake stalls, cooking for the parish dinners, and a key role in our annual parish fete. The parish vision is for the Church to grow, just as the town grows, encouraging others to join in the wonderful fellowship of God’s love and forgiveness.

Anglicare North Coast: Anglicare NC started operating in the Lower Clarence in the late 1990's out of offices in the Maclean administration centre. The Parish has provided much support to Anglicare since its introduction. Of the 41 properties managed by Anglicare, 3 are in the parish. Iluka Glades provides 6 single units and 3 double units for older single people and couples. Maclean's Bindaree has 6 bedsit style units for people in need of accomodation for a short period. The Osprey Drive, Yamba complex has 5 two bedroom units and 7 three bedroom units available for community housing.

Conclusion: We are a large parish geographically, united together in a love of Christ and filled with His Spirit. 

Vision statement: To proclaim through worship, fellowship and example, the love of Jesus Christ for all.

We remain steadfast, growing in faith and thankful for all He has provided, and will continue to provide, to us as part of His family on the Lower Clarence. We pray for His Light to continue to shine as a beacon through us in our daily lives wherever we may be at any time.