The first Congregationalists (or Independents as they generally called themselves) in Adelaide, led by Rev T. Q. Stow, met in a tiny building on North Terrace, Adelaide, and built their first chapel in Freeman Street (now Gawler Place), which opened for public worship on 1 November 1840.

[2] The second body of Congregationalists to form met in a small chapel in the north-west of Norwood from around 1840, and constructed a brick building in High Street, Kensington, on land contributed in 1844 by John Roberts (c.

In September 1872 Cheetham was accepted as pastor of the church in Milang, where he served a grateful congregation until his death in 1881.

In November 1851 a breakaway group formed a separate church which met at Roberts's residence, "Maesbury House".

An institute hall was hired for the first public meeting on 2 July 1854, and plans were made for a permanent chapel.

[citation needed] The foundation stone for the building, which was designed by George Abbott, was laid on 5 June 1855 by Mr. Barrow.

This was the original Clayton chapel, named at the suggestion or insistence of John Roberts, in memory of Rev.

[citation needed] Barrow resigned in 1858 to help found The Advertiser, which he edited for 15 years, and after an interim when services were held by Stow, was succeeded by the Rev.

William Harcus, who arrived in South Australia in late November 1860, and was to follow Barrow as a journalist and editor.

He was followed in May 1866 by Eliezer Griffiths, who had been serving several congregations in Port Denison, Queensland.He left South Australia for England in December 1872.

A design by Cumming & Davies (whose previous work included the College Park Congregational Church) for a building 66 by 50 feet (20 m × 15 m) seating 560 people was accepted and the foundation stone was laid by E. T. Smith on 27 June 1882.

[8] Organists include Pip Parkin, Matthew Atherton, and Ashleigh Tobin, supported by guest musicians, including singers Rachel Bruerville, Andrew Linn, Macintyre Howie Reeves, Victoria Coxhill, and pianist James Huon George.

[9] Notable lay members of the church included Thomas Caterer, Ebenezer Cooke, George Doolette, Henry Dunstan, Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Glyde, T. G. Griffin , Sir Herbert Phillipps, Sir Edwin Thomas Smith, Augustine Stow, George Wells, John Witty , Gilbert Wood and his son Peter.

[13] At his well-attended farewell, Robertson was quick to acknowledge the active support of deacons Sir Edwin Smith and Peter Wood, and the organist William Sanders, among others.

[citation needed] Two stalwarts of the church died: Sir Edwin Smith in December 1919 and Peter Wood two years later, and a pulpit was erected in their memory.

Percival Watson, who had been pastor of the Summer Hill, New South Wales, church commenced his ministry in December 1920.

C. C. Watts, assistant minister of Collins Street Independent Church, Melbourne, was called in July, and served until late 1929, when despite pleas from both Clayton and the newly formed Luhrs Road Church, South Payneham to remain, he accepted a call to Victor Harbor.