On the 24th November 1996 the SEM Centre was opened by the Governor-General of Australia, Sir William Deane in the presence of a large and enthusiastic crowd.

The opening of this building was a tangible expression of the desire of five different Christian congregations to work together in ministering to the people of Seaford in a community of up to 30,000 which would follow the opening-up of land between Main South Road and Commercial Road by the Government.

This development was proposed by the Government in the 1980s and in 1989 the Heads of Churches New Towns Committee called together a meeting of members of local churches to share their interests in the proposal and those present decided to continue meeting as the Seaford Ecumenical Group.

There had already been some significant ecumenical cooperation in the area through the St Nicholas' Centre in Commercial Road, involving members of the Anglican, Methodist and Catholic churches. However, the decision by the Uniting Church in 1991 to develop its parish ecumenically rather than denominationally provided the Ecumenical Group with the incentive to consider the construction of a shared building. The planning committee was chaired by David Shinnick with the new Uniting Church minister, the Rev. Dr Tom Atherton as Director.

Initially four congregations supported the idea of working together (Anglican, Catholic, Churches of Christ and Uniting) and proposed sharing facilities with the Noarlunga Health Services. Land was allocated for the Centre by the Developers on one side of the proposed Town Square and the Architect, Robert Cheesman began developing plans for an integrated facility.

As planning continued it was decided to hold a Foundation Day on the 26th February 1993. A large coloured display board was erected on the site, the Deputy Prime Minister, Brian Howe spoke enthusiastically about the project and then signed the board, together with the heads of the four participating Churches.

Not long after this a fifth partner, the Lutheran congregation joined the planning group and for a time shared a worship space with the Catholics in the recently opened Catholic Primary School.

At last on Sunday 4th August 1996 the five denominational groups worshipped for the first time in the new Centre. The Anglicans closed St Nicholas', the Uniting Church closed its building at Moana, the Church of Christ closed its House Church and the Catholics and Lutherans left the Community Room at the School. Five hundred people gathered together for morning tea in the café area that morning.

In the words of Sir William Deane: The Seaford Ecumenical Mission Centre is of true national significance. It reflects and implements the fellowship and the mutual support and respect which should exist between all who, in our differing ways, seek to follow and promote the teachings of Christ. While celebrating contemporary "ecumenism", the Centre allows for diversity within the great movement towards Christian Unity. It will do much to contribute to the spirit of reconciliation as we move to a new century and new millenium.