Stories of Healing: Alice Springs marks 100 years of Adelaide House and 70 years of the John Flynn Memorial Church
September 19, 2026
In the red centre of Australia, members of the Uniting Church community gathered on 12–13 September to honour two milestones of faith, care and resilience: the centenary of Adelaide House and 70 years of the John Flynn Memorial Church.
Across two days of ceremony, storytelling and song, the celebrations brought together First Nations voices, histories of ministry and the continuing work of the Church in remote Australia under the theme “Stories of Healing”.
The Adelaide House centenary celebration opened with an Acknowledgement of Country by Aunty Eileen Peckham.
Northern Synod Moderator Rev Felicity Amery, Frontier Services National Director Dave Parker and Alice Springs Mayor Asta Hill reflected on Adelaide House’s changing role across a century of outback life – as a hospital, hostel, patrol base and museum.
During the service, volunteers Keith Castle and Margaret Hewitt were recognised for their faithful work keeping the Adelaide House Museum open and its stories alive.
Guests were also invited to participate in a smoking ceremony led by Kumalie Riley, before sharing morning tea prepared by the Alice Springs congregation and lunch provided by the Rotary Club.
The day continued with a series of facilitated reflections that revealed the many layers of Adelaide House’s story.
Former John Flynn Memorial Church minister Rev Emily Hayes spoke about the Mapping Project, in which a group of Arrernte women identified local place names to tell the Indigenous story of Country.
Journalist and historian Kieran Finnane shared research into Indigenous children pictured on the verandah in an opening ceremony photograph. Tom Bird, who was born at Adelaide House, recalled his brother’s emergency appendix operation performed by nurses at the hospital.
Poet Faron Peckham offered poems reflecting on sacred places, while Margaret Wheatley, daughter of Fred McKay, remembered living at Adelaide House when it operated as a hostel.
Assembly Archivist Christine Gordon and Northern Synod Archivist Judy Orme helped bring the house’s history to life through a timeline of its different phases, alongside photographs of the ministers and patrol padres who served there.
A significant moment came with the presentation of medical equipment donated by the family of Sister Winifred “Freddie” Alvera Jones, presented by her granddaughter Jennie Corfield.
Interstate visitors included families of former nursing staff, past and present Patrol Padres and Bush Chaplains, former ministers of the John Flynn Memorial Church, and others with longstanding connections to Adelaide House and the Church.
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On Sunday, attention turned to the John Flynn Memorial Church as the congregation marked 70 years of ministry.
Rev Felicity Amery preached from Ezekiel 47:1–12, where water flowing from the temple transforms the sea and brings life to the land.
“In God’s work of renewal we are called to continue the task of being co-creators with God,” she said, reflecting on the image of living water as a sign of God’s renewing presence.
Young people heard the story of Rev John Flynn’s life and ministry from Mel Quilliam, while Chair of Pilgrim Presbytery Lauren Merritt reflected on the origins of the church.
A video of the original opening service was screened, and the congregation affirmed their faith through an old hymn in Pitjantjatjara, alongside songs written by previous ministers that have become part of the church’s story.
Long-time member Eric Neil led the prayers of the people.
The celebrations concluded with a cake cut by previous ministers Rev Emily Hayes and Rev John Lamont, Patrol Padre Rev Tony Davis and Bush Chaplain Pastor Benjamin Quilliam – a simple but significant symbol of ministry being carried from one generation to the next.
Together, the two anniversaries tell a larger story: of healing expressed through practical care, of truth-telling that makes space for First Nations voices, and of a faith community continually adapting its ministry to serve remote Australia.
The celebrations also offered a reminder that the Church’s story is never simply about the buildings left behind or the milestones reached. It is about people, relationships and God’s continuing work of renewal.
Like the life-giving water in Ezekiel’s vision, what began in Alice Springs continues to flow – sustaining people, strengthening communities and nurturing ministries for generations still to come.
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