The Hazelglen Church - as it became known - has continued as a place of witness and worship continuously since 1872. The Reid family continued their close association wit~ the church and several descendants are members today. The Dosser and Bassett families were also long-term members. Harold Bassett, who reached the incredible age of 102 years, was a church officer for over 80 years, his son and grandson both serving as elders and treasurers. Harold's daughter-in-law, Mrs. Kath Bassett, has been the faithful but "unofficial" organist for nearly sixty years! These long familial associations explain in part the strong traditional attitudes of the congregation such as its continuing use of the Methodist Hymnal and love of singing.
In the 1990s, the old kitchen forming a weatherboard southern extension of the church was replaced with a structure more in keeping with the architecture of the church and providing modern facilities including toilets. The old fireplace and water tank were removed and mains water connected. The rusted roofing iron - which had been installed in the 1920s over the original shingles - was replaced with Colourbond and the entry porch enlarged for better access. At the same time, the text on the wall above the Communion Table was repainted by the noted landscape artist, Kenneth Jack, and a mosaic window of stained glass by his son, David, installed in the north window of the porch.
Through the years, Hazelglen has been assigned to several differing parishes, notably Whittlesea, Yan Yean and, more recently, Mernda. Upon the formation of the Uniting Church in 1977, it became a Uniting Church. Today, it remains part of the Mernda Parish and is well situated to serve the many families moving into the burgeoning residential estates adjacent to it
We look forward confidently to continuing to serve God in this area.
