About us

Ever since the congregation was founded by early settlers in 1864, the Hawthorn Presbyterian church has stood as a testament to God's enduring grace in Jesus Christ and the love He shows to humanity in the revelation of His timeless Gospel.

We would love to have you join us and share in our gratitude to God for His mercy.

Our congregation is a fellowship of men and women and their children who come from all walks of life and a variety of cultural backgrounds , who share a common bond in a love for God and a desire to live and learn according to all that God has given us in the Bible.

Our Mission

At Hawthorn Presbyterian Church, our mission is to glorify God by proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ, nurturing believers in their faith, and serving our community with love and compassion. We strive to be a welcoming home for all who seek to know God more deeply and live out their faith in obedience to all that God requires of us in Jesus.

It was Jesus who said, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." - Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)

Our Beliefs

As a Christian church, we are grounded in the great statements of faith found in the ancient creeds and the rich statements of the Reformation particularly as summarised in the Westminster Confession of Faith. Our core beliefs include:

  1. The Authority of Scripture: We believe the Bible is the inspired and infallible Word of God, our supreme authority for faith and life.

  2. The Sovereignty of God: We affirm God's sovereign control over all aspects of creation and human affairs.

  3. Salvation by Grace: We believe salvation is a gift from God, received through faith in Jesus Christ alone.

  4. The Priesthood of All Believers: We believe all Christians are called to serve God and minister to others.

  5. The Importance of Community: We value the role of the church community in nurturing faith and supporting one another.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." - Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)

Rev. Graham Nicholson

Rev. Graham Nicholson is the current inducted minister at Hawthorn Presbyterian Church in Melbourne, Victoria where he has served for over 22 years. Prior to that, he served for 10 years in Queensland at the Redlands Presbyterian Church.

Graham was born in Sandakan, Sabah, when it was known as North Borneo, and completed early school years there before the family moved to Australia. As well as his theological studies at the Queensland Theological Hall of the Presbyterian Church of Queensland (where he was also an occasional lecturer) he has an honours degree in Electrical Engineering, and a BA and Post Graduate Diploma in History and Comparative Religion. Before entering the ministry, he worked as an engineer in the South East Asian oilfield.

Graham has served on the Australian council of the Middle East Reformed Fellowship and more recently taught at a ministry retreat in Zambia for the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian, Synod of Zambia (CCAP-Zambia) and would love to go back!

He is married to Janet and they have four adult children.

Whether you're new to the area, searching for a church home, or simply curious about the Christian faith, we invite you to join us. At Hawthorn Presbyterian Church, you'll find a welcoming community dedicated to growing in faith, serving others, and sharing God's love.