The naming of Chapel Hill

The church at the intersection of Moggill Rd and Chapel Hill Rd is the ‘chapel on the hill’ that gave Chapel Hill its name.

It was built in 1874 on 5 acres of land that was purchased for 15 shillings (about $1.50) an acre. At that time, it was the Primitive Methodist Church and is now the Chapel Hill Uniting Church.

The church building has stood the test of time.  The wooden shingle roof has been replaced with iron and later the building was lined, and an internal ceiling installed.  All the work was done by the parishioners in working bees.

This is one of the few remaining churches to have an adjoining cemetery where more than 200 people, mostly early pioneers, are buried. 

The first child to be baptised in the church was Carl Bredden in 1875.  Bredden St in Chapel Hill is named after the family.

Also, in 1875 was the first burial in the cemetery, of David Gibson, 14 weeks old.  A street was named after his family, Gibson Rd, which was later renamed Kenmore Rd.

A new church was built in 1955 and fortunately the old historic chapel on the hill  has been preserved..