Originally services were conducted under an archway of trees where Mrs HUSSON's house now stands, by the first vicar, the Rev F.T.C. RUSSELL, who was appointed to this large parish in 1850. Services were later held in the old Vicarage, now occupied by Mrs BLACKBURN; afterwards in the school building known as the Common School, till the present church was built in 1866. The late Dr. RUSSELL labored in this parish for 24 years. He was returning from a long trip in the parish when he was seized with a paralytic stroke. He was alone and driving a pair of quiet ponies, and was still some miles from the parsonage, with at least one pair of gates to open. Fortunately he succeeded in accomplishing the task and reached home safely. For some weeks the patient was kept very quiet; then a sea trip was recommended by his medical adviser, which was made possible by his many friends and admirers, who subscribed the sum of £1000, a further sum of £500 being sent to him while abroard. When returning to Victoria he died and was buried at sea.

The Rev Jas. McFARLANE was appointed in his place, and renained Vicar to this parish for 21 years. During his tenure, St Peter's, Merino, was cleared of debt, and consecrated by Bishop THORNTON of Ballarat, on October 29th, 1884.

The Church Committe elected in 1877 was Messrs T.D. CLARKE, W. ENSCOE, W. FRANCIS, J. FULTON, F. HENTY, C. LEITHRIDGE, T. MACKWOOD, Jas MALLETT, Geo NORTHCOTT, and T.W. SILVESTER. Other churches built in the parish were St John's Digby, 1871; St Paul's, Gum Creek, 1877, later moved to Henty in 1901. Henty having acquired a new brick church through the generosity of the late Miss HENTY, the Gum Creek church was gain moved, to Paschendale soldier settlement in 1937 and re-dedicated by Bishop JOHNSON, February 17, 1937.

The new Henty Church was erected in 1936 by Mr Chas ANDERSON at a cost of £800, being a legacy from the late Miss Henty, daughter of of the late Francis HENTY, pioneer of this district. The foundation stone was laid by his grand-daughter, Mrs G.A. SILVESTER, on 11th October, 1936. The newly erected church was consecrated by the Right Rev W.H. JOHNSON, Bishop of Ballarat on Monday, December 14th, 1936, the Vicar of the Parish then being Rev K.P. GOODISSON.

Tablet in the Henty Church bears the following:-

Names of Clergy:-Rev. Dr. F.T.C. RUSSELL, 1850 to 1874; Rev J. McFARLANE, 1874 to 1893; Rev E.H. DAVIS, 1894 to 1898; Rev R.J.E. HAYMAN, 1887; Rev King William POBJOY, 1894; Rev J.D.DAVIDSON, 1898 to 1906; Rev M.C. JAMES (now bishop of St Arnaud), 1906 to 1915; Rev Edward SCHWEIGER (now Dean of Bendigo), 1911 to 1915; Rev F, CAFFIN, releiving above during 1914 and 1915; Rev. F.T.C. Reynolds, 1915 to 1919; Rev J.A. McQUEEN (now Canon), 1919 to 1921; Rev A.S. NICHOLAS, 1921 to 1924; Canon Howard CARR, 1924 to 1925; Rev Frank GIRDLER, 1925 to 1928; Rev Auguste WILSON, 1928 to 1929; Rev A.G.T. KEWLEY, 1929 to 1933; Rev F. S. LEGG, 1933 to 1934; Rev K.P. GOODISSON, 1935 to 1937; Rev John HALL, Th.L., F.R.G.S., present Vicar.

The church bell was presented to the church by Mr and Mrs A.M. McLEOD in 1906.

The Parish Hall was erected in 1907.