The small settlement of Kangaroo Flat is located on Section 714 in the Hundred of Mudla Wirra. It had a post office, and Joseph Berry conducted a school at Kangaroo Flat in 1874 with about 58 pupils enrolled.
The government school opened in 1878 and closed in 1970.
In the 1880s Mr Malcolm operated an ostrich farm in the area.
A plaque at the front of the church reads as follows:-
To the Glory of God and in Thankful Memory of our Forefathers who erected the Kangaroo Flat Church on this site in 1866.
Used as a Methodist Church from 22-8-1910 to 1-5-1966.
Originally Zion Bible Christian Church
The former Kangaroo Flat Methodist Church closed many years ago. The present building was erected in 1866 and appears to have replaced an earlier, 1854, church building. Land for the church had been donated by the Ebsary Family.
A small cemetery adjoins the church.
Ref: Australia’s Christian Heritage
Kangaroo Flat September 26
The anniversary services in connection with the Bible Christian Church were celebrated on Sunday and Monday, September 20th and 21st. On Sunday the pastor (Rev J A Richards) preached two sermons to large congregations. On Monday the usual tea was well attended, which was followed by a public meeting, Mr. E. Lucas of Gawler presided.
The services were rendered more pleasing by the aid of a choir, who gave several anthems in good style. Miss George presided at the organ. [Ref: Bunyip (Gawler SA) 2-10-1891]
A serious accident befell Mr R Hogben, of Kangaroo Flat, Postmaster, on Thursday last. He fell from a load of straw and fractured his breastbone. [Ref: Adelaide Observer (SA) 4-3-1893]
December 30
The golden wedding of Mr and Mrs Hogben, of Kangaroo Flat, was celebrated on Monday last. Mr and Mrs Hogben came to the colony in the ship ‘Duke of Bedford’, which arrived in South Australia in December, 1848. A fortnight after, on Christmas Day, Mr and Mrs Hogben were married at St John's Church, Adelaide. After living for short periods at Little Para, Salisbury, and Peachy Belt, the couple settled at Kangaroo Flat, where they had lived for the last 34 years, and have carried on farming and storekeeping. Mr Hogben has for a long time been the postmaster at Kangaroo Flat, and the contractor for carrying the mails between that place and Gawler. Eight children are living, besides 42 grandchildren and 4 greatgrandchildren. At dinner on Monday 45 persons sat down, including all the children but one son. Mr and Mrs Hogben are both 75 years of age. [Ref: Chronicle (Adelaide SA) 7-1-1899]
Kangaroo Flat October 27
On Wednesday, October 23, an effort was made towards raising funds in aid of the organ recently purchased by the Methodist Church. A concert was held in the schoolroom, Professor Towar presiding.
An adjournment was made to the church for supper. Mesdames Nottle and Good and the Misses Kippin, Leak, and Dean presided at the tables. The total proceeds were £3 19s. [Ref: Bunyip (Gawler SA) 31-10-1902]
Kangaroo Flat Methodist Church
A few months ago the adherents of the Methodist Church thought it desirable that some improvements should be done to the Church property. A general meeting was called and a committee was formed, and the members of the committee decided that the Church should be thoroughly renovated, a new fence erected, and a new organ purchased. The work of repairing the Church was put into the hands of Mr H W Ayling, of Willaston, who did the work in a highly satisfactory manner. The entire cost of improvements and purchase of organ amounted to over £54. The re-opening took place in September of last year, when over £20 was raised by subscriptions, sale of old organ, and re-opening services towards reduction of expenditure. To reduce the remainder of the debt the ladies formed themselves into a bazaar committee and with Mesdames Shepherd, Good and Hocking as president, treasurer, and secretary respectively were for weeks busily engaged preparing articles of clothing and fancy work for the bazaar which was held on February 3, and opened by Mrs W Dawkins (Mayoress of Gawler) who was introduced to the people by the Rev J H Nield, of Gawler West.
Good business was done at the various stalls, and at the committee meeting held on February 10 the financial results were submitted by Mrs Hocking - the net proceeds amounting to £22. To reduce the remaining debt a concert sale of unsold bazaar goods, and supper was arranged for the evening of March 10 when friends from Willaston, Gawler, Gawler River, Roseworthy, and locals submitted a lengthy programme, Mr J G Folland being chairman. Over 5 was netted. This with donations from friends leaves the committee with a debt of less than 5 to meet. [Ref: Bunyip (Gawler SA) 19-3-1909]
