A rededication ceremony was held on Sunday 27 November to commemorate the relocation of a memorial for Rev David Shearer from St Andrew’s Uniting Church to its original setting at David’s gravesite in East Perth Cemetery.
Prior to his career as a minister, David was a school teacher, a profession he worked in until he was licensed to preach by the Free Church Presbytery of Edinburgh in 1871. He was ordained the following year. David was given a commission from the Established and Free Churches of Scotland to establish the Presbyterian Church in Western Australia. He sailed from Gravesend, with his wife Margaret and family, arriving in Fremantle in October 1879.
He held services at St George’s Hall in Perth at the outset of his ministry, later holding services at the Working Men’s Institute and finally establishing a church building. David contributed to establishing churches throughout WA. He also contributed to reforming education in Perth.
Speaking at the rededication ceremony, Uniting Church WA moderator, Rev Steve Francis said “When Reverend David Shearer arrived with his family in Perth in 1879, Perth was a small, fragile outpost of the British Empire.”
David was working in what seemed to be a hostile environment as Steve explained, “Convicts burnt the first church in Australia and Presbyterianism was viewed with suspicion by Anglican, Catholics and Methodists alike.
“How we face the challenges of our times is of vital importance if we are to survive and indeed thrive as a Christian community. For me, the key is Jesus Christ.”
In 1892, the year following his death, a memorial was established for David at his gravesite by the community he served. The memorial was moved to St Andrew’s Uniting Church in 1937, however, following the closure of St Andrew’s Uniting Church, the memorial was relocated to its original setting. There was a crowd gathered for the rededication service of the memorial. Along with the Moderator, Rev David de Kock, General Secretary of the Uniting Church WA was also in attendance, both demonstrating their respect and admiration for David’s founding work in WA.
Elaenor Nield