Nathaniel Kinsman (1823–1898), lay preacher, came to Victoria in the late 1840s and set up in business in Fitzroy as a dealer in second-hand furniture. He became associated with the Church of England congregation in East Collingwood, conducting lay services there between 1858 and 1862. In that year, the Anglican church decided to appoint an ordained minister in Kinsman’s place, prompting him and some members of his congregation to secede and form the Victorian Free Church of England. By 1866, they had financed the construction of their own church building, the congregation exceeding 100 members in 1871. Kinsman developed a reputation as ‘The Marrying Vicar’, reportedly officiating in over 7,000 marriage ceremonies.
Updated 2018
