Avoca Walking Tour: #27 Anglican Church, 1871.

On the corner of Russell and Barnet Streets is the Anglican Church of St. John the Divine. This church replaced the original building in High Street and was dedicated in December, 1871.

The Anglican Church of St. John the Divine is on the corner of Russell and Barnett Streets

Heritage study A6

St John's Anglican church 108 Barnett Street

St John's is a bichromatic brick Early English Gothic church built to the design of the Anglican Diocesan Architect, Leonard Terry, in 1869. It has significance for its architecture, influence and associations. The size and impressive design of St John's is indicative of the strength of the town's Church of England population, which included a large proportion of the local business community. The building is also expressive of Avoca's prosperity in the immediate post-gold rush period.

History: During the 1850s Avoca was part of the Melbourne diocese and Bishop Charles Perry agreed to send a resident priest to the township as soon as a vicarage and church were erected. The first church was built in 1857 but it was abandoned some years later after it became structurally unsound. Instead services were temporarily held in the Shire hall. A new site for the Church of England was reserved in January 1869 and the construction of the present St John's began under the supervision of the Anglican Diocesan Architect, Leonard Terry. The local cabinet maker, Mr Classen, was responsible for all the internal timber fittings.

The opening of St John's was held on 3 December 1871 with three services in the morning, afternoon and evening, all attended by 'a full congregation, very many having to listen at the open windows'. The Avoca Mail reported: ‘Like the Gothic lines of the new building, all the motives have been of an upward tendency, but without that vanishing point which belongs only to perspective. There is no vanishing point to this new work; all is firm, well based, good and true and forms a tribute to the Great Architect of the Universe whose hand is seen in every corner stone and at 'the extremist point of every Temple dedicated to His praise'.

By the time of the opening £1,600 had been subscribed toward the church debt - a large proportion reputedly donated by denominations other than the Church of England. Nevertheless the church building debt was not finally cleared until 1881.

In 1890 a vestry was added to the church building. At this time the church was in the Diocese of Ballarat. It later became part of the Diocese of St Arnaud and then part of the Bendigo diocese.

Description: The church is of an Early English Gothic design in red brick with contrasting bands of cream brick, cream brick cappings to the buttresses and cream bricks outlining the tops of the lancet windows on the side of the nave. The building is in the form of a six bay nave with a steeply pitched gable roof. The entry is through a pointed arch doorway with render mouldings outlining the arch and terminating in bosses. Above the doorway is a pair of very narrow lancet windows which cut through the second band of cream bricks. The apex of the gable roof is dominated by a prominent bellcote which has two lancet openings.

The building is similar in form, with raking buttresses paired lancet windows above the entry and a dominant bellcote, to Leonard Terry's earlier design for St James’s Anglican Church, Hexham. The use of the contrasting cream brick is unusual in a design by this architect.

The west wall has a large pointed arch recessed panel which indicates that the building was planned to include a chancel or an elaborate west window.

A small vestry forms a wing at right angles to the main building. This has a slate gable roof and the windows and door opening are similar to those of the church. Although of later construction it matches the original building. Its positioning to one side of the opening would indicate that in 1890 the congregation still hoped to complete the church with a chancel.

A History of St. John’s Church, Avoca 1871 to 1931

Foreword

The history of St. John’s, Avoca, herein given is as complete as existing records will allow. Great care has been taken to use only authentic information. I trust that the reading of it will give as much pleasure as the writing gave. I wish to thank the “Avoca Mail” for the use of their files and others for the supplying of information. My thanks are also due to Mr. A. G. Lalor for reading the manuscript.

ARTHUR BELL.
St. John’s Vicarage, Avoca.
Advent, 1931.

History of the Parish of Avoca

THE early history of the Church in Avoca is bound up I with that of the Diocese of Melbourne and has its setting in the gold-digging days when the history of the State was being written by the pioneers. Bishop Charles Perry visited the Township at the invitation of the settlers. They asked that services might be commenced and this the Bishop promised, providing the residents did their part. They were to build a Vicarage and also a Church, and when this was done a Priest would be sent to them. On the 26th of June, 1856, the block of land in High Street, next to the “Free Press” Office, was granted by purchase for church building purposes. The title deeds are now in the possession of Mrs. Walters of Homebush, and it is interesting to note that they were signed by Major General Edward McArthur as Senior Military Officer commanding the Land Forces in the Colony of Victoria.

Upon this land the first Church was built in the year 1857, and the Reverend W. McJennett was called to the cure of souls. A picture of this Church is to be found below.

As a result of the inexperience of the early settlers in the matter of building, the Church only stood for a matter of eleven years. The roof was too heavy for the walls and it was soon condemned for the purposes of public worship. Prior to this a Vicarage had also been built on the banks of the Avoca River. At this time the dwelling places of the settlers were simply calico tents. It was in 1856 that Avoca had its second gold rush, and in 1859 the surrounding districts were expanding for the same reason. In the next four years the gold was not so easily found and as a consequence the rushes in other parts took away many people, amongst whom were the black sheep who followed the gleam of gold. In Avoca habits became more ordinary and settled, and soon what was a goldfield of no mean order was gradually changed into an agricultural district. With these changes came the Borough Council, and it is interesting to note that Mr. Wm. Goodshaw, one of the pioneers of St. John’s Church, was also a member of the Council. By 1866 the population had dropped to 2000 and with this drop came further difficulties in the way of building a new Church. Archdeacon Stretch, of Geelong, was a frequent visitor to the Parish in the early days. In 1867 definite steps were taken towards the erection of a permanent Church. Liberal sums were subscribed locally for that purpose, and the first of a series of tea-meetings was held on the 2nd of March. Archdeacon Stretch was present and he made a sterling appeal for assistance in the new cause and pleaded for systematic giving. He gave a slogan which he said was of Wesleyan origin : “Repentance, justification by faith ; a penny a week and a shilling a quarter.” The ladies assisting at this time, and their names are mentioned that we might know who the early churchworkers were, were Mesdames Woodward, Sweet, Reed, Worsley, Griffiths, Yeatman, Smith, Allanson, Ogilby, Constable, Carr, Manson, and the Misses Carr. An interesting part of this meeting was the display of plans and specifications of the new Church building.

On April 5th, 1867, Bishop Perry made his second visit to Avoca. It was on this date that Confirmation was first administered in this Parish.

At this time the Press was severely criticising the lax feeling of Church people towards the question of the new building. Bishop Perry addressed the congregation in the Shire Hall. After giving a summary of the history of the Church in Victoria during the nineteen years of his Episcopate, and contrasting the work in England and Australia, he spoke about the position in Avoca. He said he had kept his promise of some ten or twelve years ago and had sent a clergyman to them, and they had built their parsonage and school, but their promise to build a Church had not been fulfilled. He thought the evidence of the increased wealth and prosperity since his first visit was not finding its parallel in the life of the Church. He considered that Avoca would be entitled to £150 per year for two years from the Government grant in aid. Mr. Ogilby responded on behalf of the congregation and he said that he hoped that the method adopted of showing their appreciation of the Bishop’s visit would take the form of more substantial financial assistance in the future.

The “ Avoca Mail ” of the 4th of May, 1867, has an interesting announcement to the effect that a very handsome silver Communion set, ordered and procured from England by the Committee of St. John’s Church, Avoca, is on view at Mr. C. K. Pearson’s in High Street. The service is of the Camden pattern and is of chaste design and high artistic finish, and is well worthy of the inspection of those interested in the progress of art in the Old Country.

On the 28th of September the Vestry passed a resolution advocating the erection of a new Church at a cost of £1000. The work of preparation was put in hand immediately, for on the 19th of October Mr. Terry, the architect, exhibited fresh plans before the members of the Church. These were approved of, and it was decided to have specifications drawn up and tenders called. The first site mentioned for the Church was that upon which the temporary school house then stood.

Tenders for the setting down of the foundations were advertised on the 18th of April, 1868. On the 20th of June Messrs. Wm. Goodshaw, Leonard Worsley and John Wiltshire were appointed trustees of the land set apart and purchased for Church of England purposes, in the place of Mr. G. A. Amos (deceased) and Mr. G. W. Wise, who had resigned. This land is that at present held and upon which the Church now stands. Tenders were also called for the building of the Chancel and Vestry, but nothing was done in the matter at that time.

A bazaar was held on the 23rd of November. All the shops in the town were closed that day. The stall-holders were: Mesdames Yeatman, G. Wise, Holland, Sweet, Reed, Gazzard, and McMahon, the Misses K. and M. Wise, Maunders, Holland, and Knott; also Mesdames Travenna, Kiehl, Misses Trevithick, E. Trevenna, Reed, and Hart. In opening proceedings, Mr. Ogilby said the building fund to date stood at £300. For the three days £175 was made clear, and this brought the building fund up to £475. The beginning of the difficulties of the Church are noticed when on the 13th of March, 1869, the Vestry reluctantly announced that they would not in future be able to guarantee the same amount of stipend as formerly. On the 1st of May tenders were again called for the erection in whole or in part of the Church. On the 31st of July the “ Mail ” had the following note: “ We are glad to notice that the trustees of the Church of England are giving tangible proof of their determination to erect a structure worthy of the theme and the needs of the times. Already the foundation stones of the new Church are being laid, and in the course of six months it is expected that the whole building will be completed. The sum in hand to meet the contracts is little short of £500. This will be supplemented by a like sum from the Church Building Fund. The whole cost of the building will exceed £1,200, but there need be no fear entertained that the whole will not be collected. The Church when finished will be a very handsome structure; the site, a gentle eminence behind the Wesleyan Church, is a most admirable one, far superior to that one upon which the building now used for Church purposes is erected.”

The foundation stone was laid on the 21st of October. 1869. The following is an extract from the current Press: “ The old building familiarly known as the Church of England has for a long time been all but condemned; indeed, it has been considered unsafe for public use. From time to time absolutely necessary repairs and improvements have been carried out. The realisation of hopes now crowns the labours of several years. The old Church had been in existence for about thirteen years and was built of brick, the clay being taken from a pit on the Fiddlers’ Creek Road. Its weakness was want of support in the walls and too wide and heavy a roof. From the inside, because of these things, the appearance was far from comfortable.”

Previous to commencing the ceremony of the day a short service was held in the existing Church building, which included the Litany and some appropriate hymns, after which the congregation and several of the inhabitants and visitors proceeded to the new site and ranged themselves round the apparatus fixed for the laying of the stone.

There is no definite indication of where the stone is to be found, for no inscription was placed upon it. But a consideration of certain facts and a careful examination of the foundations leave little doubt as to the actual location of the stone. In the newspaper accounts of the ceremony it says: “The foundation or corner stone was laid.” An examination of the four corner stones reveals that three corners have their base made up of three or more stones forming the square; the fourth, however, is one stone about 4 feet square. From this it seems safe to assume that the corner stone or foundation stone is that to be seen on the south-west extremity of the Church, on the right of the main entrance.

After the Reverend E. K. Yeatman had offered up prayer suitable for the occasion, the Venerable Archdeacon Crawford proceeded with the ceremony. In a cavity of the stone was placed a large glass jar, in which was deposited the memorial scroll, engrossed on parchment, which was previously read by L. Worsley, Esq., and was to the following effect:—

“ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost.” The Foundation Stone of this Church, to be called The Church of St. John the Divine, in the Parish of Avoca, in the Diocese of Melbourne, in the Colony of Victoria, was laid by the Venerable Archdeacon Crawford, M.A., of Trinity College, Dublin, Archdeacon of Castlemaine, on the twenty-first day of October, in the year of Our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, being the thirty-third year of the reign of Her Most Gracious Majesty of Great Britain and Ireland. His Excellency, Sir John Henry Thomas Manners Sutton, K.C.B., Governor of Victoria. The Reverend Edward Kelson Yeatman, M.A., Oxon., Minister.
Leonard Worsley, William Goodshaw, John Batchelor, Trustees.”

The Archdeacon then declared the stone to be well and truly laid, and applied the level, mortar, and trowel, striking the stone three times in the true emblematic fashion.

Mr. Leslie Ogilby, of Avoca, and Mr. Scott, of Amherst, then addressed the gathering.

The Archdeacon, using metaphors, compared Religion with the building of a sacred edifice, God is the Architect, the Ministers of Religion are the contractors, and all those who labour in the great cause are the workmen. The Reverend E. K. Yeatman spoke in unmistakable terms of the difficulties with which they had to contend in the carrying out of the object that day attained.

The day was concluded by the holding of a concert in the Shire Hall in the evening.

The gross results of the bazaar held on the 13th of November amounted to £275.

The Bishop of Melbourne made his third visit to Avoca on the 17th of April, 1870, and again administered the Sacrament of Confirmation,

On the 21st of May the first instalment of £277/19/- was received from the State Aid Fund towards Church Building. The grant of £300 from the Church Loan Fund is also said to be assured, so this would leave the amount required to pay building contracts at £145. It was hoped that this amount would soon be raised.

On the 17th of September Mr. John Bacon was appointed to represent the Church of England on the School Board in connection with the Common Schools.

During the year 1870 spirited correspondence appeared in the local papers debating the truth and error of the Anglican Doctrine of Apostolic Succession. This was carried on by the Reverend E. K. Yeatman and Mr. Nicholson of the Methodist Church. The matter only terminated when Mr. Nicholson was transferred elsewhere.

Another bazaar was held from the 1st to the 4th of November, and the following is a press report of the proceedings:—

“ It is well known that many and great difficulties have beset the building of this Church from a variety of causes, impossible to foresee and not a little disheartening; but through the untiring perseverance of the Reverend E. K. Yeatman, aided by the constant efforts of the Committee and the ladies, the good end may be said to be now achieved, for the amount taken has been considerable, and considering the almost unparalleled dullness of trade and the depression in mining matters hereabout, we may add astonishing.

“ Prominent among the lady workers were Mesdames Yeatman, Worsley, Paton, Holland, Sweet, Allanson, Smith, Whitley, Bostock, and Atkinson, and the Misses Bacon, Reed, MacDonald, Mann, M. Wise, M. Trevenna, Woods, Hart, Varley, and Stowe. Mr. Carr, P.M., who had promised to open the bazaar, was unavoidably absent. This duty was performed by the Vicar, assisted by Mr. Cooke. The total takings for the four days amounted to £177/16/1, and as the expenses only amounted to £19/1/7, the nett profits were £158/14/6.”

In 1871 a Sunday School Library was commenced and many useful books distributed among the children.

On the 22nd of April a meeting was held at Homebush to arrange for the erection of a united Anglican and Presbyterian Church at Homebush. Messrs. Pyman, Fitch, and Burns were appointed to represent the Anglican congregation there. The sum of £75 collected by Miss Agnew was handed to this Committee.

So many Chinese were living in the district that a Chinese Catechist was appointed to assist the Vicar in his work, and at various times converts were brought into the Church and admitted publicly. Mr. Matthew Ah Get was the Catechist. A Mission Chapel was opened at the rear of Wise’s store at Percydale.

An interesting matter was dealt with by the Vestry on the 12th of August, 1871, when special arrangements had to be made to provide for the guarantee of the Vicar’s stipend, owing to the fact that State aid to religious bodies was shortly to be discontinued.

Tenders were called for the fencing of the Church grounds and the opening date of the Church was fixed for Sunday, December 3rd, 1871. Again we reprint an extract from the “ Avoca Mail ” :—

“ The old Church of England—popularly so called—had been for a long time considered unsafe, as well as being insufficient in its accommodation; and hence the Reverend E. K. Yeatman, the Incumbent, made up his mind that there should be a new building; and how well he and the Trustees, and, indeed, all concerned, have carried out their by no means easy task, many know, but every one should know as well who takes an interest in the matter; and who does not? A grant of land was obtained, comprising two acres, and exertions set on foot in the most energetic manner to bring about the desired end. The ladies, as is always the case, lent their ready sympathy to the good and righteous cause, and bazaars were held, subscriptions set on foot, and now, after a lapse of a comparatively short time, the good end has been achieved. Finis coronat opus, and we have a handsome structure pleasing to the eye in its purely Gothic proportions, the first service in which will be held on Sunday, 3rd of December, the Venerable the Archdeacon of Castlemaine officiating; and on Monday a tea-meeting will be held in the Shire Hall, which all are invited to attend for the good of the Church fund. This is a pleasing epoch in Avoca’s history, and speaks more plainly of its ethical —that, is, moral—progress than all the statistics relating to the population or gold returns could supply. While speaking thus in favour of the work itself, it is right we should give some details which cannot fail to prove interesting. The foundation stone, as previously mentioned, was laid by the Archdeacon of Castlemaine. The Trustees were Messrs. J. Batchelor, W. Goodshaw, L. Worsley, and J. Wiltshire. The plans and working drawings were prepared by Leonard Terry, Esq., of Melbourne, the architect in connection with the Episcopalian Church Establishment in the Colony. On receipt of these, tenders were called for, and the work now completed commenced on an admirable site overlooking the town from the eastward, giving to the structure a bold and commanding appearance. As we have said, the Church building now completed is excellent in its workmanship throughout. The contractors for the foundations were Messrs. Lang, Opie and McDonald; those for the brickwork, Messrs. Green Bros.; for the roofing and carpenters’ work, Mr. W. Atkinson; for the internal fittings, Mr. Classen; and to the skilful hands of Mr. Kitchen has been entrusted the decorative part of the work —all the above being of Avoca. The building is 60 feet long by a width of 28 feet; the height from floor to inside ridge of the roof being 40 feet, the pitch of the roof springing from 16 feet. The sittings are capable of accommodating 200 persons. We were particularly struck with the beauty of Mr. Classen’s fittings, as well as their substantial character; and the pulpit, reading desk, communion railings and panels are really admirable—better workmanship could not be seen in any other part of the world, and that is saying a great deal. The fittings are of Richmond River cedar, a wood of peculiar beauty and richness of grain, while designs are alike plain and striking to the eye. The altar railing in quartre foiled panels, with its delicate colouring of dark blue and gold, is in pleasing and proper contrast with wood-work. This pretty style of quartre foile is shown also on the panels of the pulpit and reading desk, with an appropriate depth of moulding. The west window is in divisions of lancet shape, and is fitted with stained glass in beautiful kaleidoscopic panes, and the side windows are of frosted glass, traced with a small intersecting diamond pattern. There is a campanile on the western gable for two bells. It is intended to erect a Chancel and Vestry in the course of time. The cost of the building as it at present stands is £1,900. It should be also mentioned that Mr. J. Griffiths, Engineer of the Avoca Shire, has from time to time kindly made honorary inspections of the works. The Church is dedicated to the patronage of St. John the Divine. Services were held in the morning, afternoon and evening, the Archdeacon preaching in the morning and evening and the Vicar in the afternoon. A hymn specially written by Mr. C. F. Weston was sung by the choir. The hymn is as follows:

A house, O Lord, we raise
And dedicate to Thee,
A house for prayer and praise
To Thy great majesty;
To Thee Who giveth all, we give
A house in which Thy Name may live.

Accept our offering, Lord,
Within this Temple dwell
A God by all adored,
Who doeth all things well;
Accept the gift we humbly make,
Accept it for the Saviour’s sake.

Be it the constant aim
Of all who worship here
To glorify Thy Name
And Thy commands revere,
With holy works and songs of praise
To all the measure of their days.

Thy blessing now afford
The work our hands have wrought,
Give profit to Thy Word
When in this Temple taught,
And lead us all, O God of Love,
To worship in Thy realms above.”

The actual service of dedication and opening is left to our imagination.

The next day a tea-meeting was held in the Shire Hall, and this was followed by a concert. A massed choir from all denominations, under the able baton of Miss Varley, added greatly to the enjoyment of the evening, the first anthem being very appropriately chosen was “ Praise Ye the Lord.” The chairman said this was the happiest moment of his life, and he felt very deeply the real sympathy and help given by all denominations. Everything had been successful in connection with the new Church and the efforts of the well-wishers of it had been blessed in a most remarkable manner. Mr. Grainger then sang “ The Pilgrim Fathers.” This was followed by the anthem, “ The Lord is in His Holy Temple.” The Reverend George Mathers, of the Presbyterian Church, then addressed those assembled. The anthem, “ Blessed are the People,” was also sung. The Reverend Ralph Brown, of the Methodist Church, said he wished the work of the Church of England “ God speed.” He referred to the common foe of all the Churches as that to be met by the artillery of the Episcopalian Church, the infantry of the Presbyterians with its solid squares, and the cavalry of the Methodists. All would fight under the same standard. Mr. Ah Get, the Chinese Missionary, told the story of his conversion to Christianity. Other speakers were the Reverend Radcliffe of Lake Learmonth, Reverend Poynder of Dunolly, Mr. Goodshaw, Mr. W. M. Wise, and Mr. Cooke. £65 was set aside to augment the Building Fund as a result of that day’s effort.

The first organ used in the Church was purchased at a cost of £50, and the whole of this money was raised by the men through concert parties and organised by Mr. Bryant.

During the Incumbency of the Reverend J. A. Ball the debt on the Church was reduced to £25. The Reverend C. W. Houlbrook, M.A., of Cambridge, relieved Mr. Ball for a few months. The debt was finally liquidated in the year 1881.

In 1876 the Reverend Joseph C. Clampett was locum tenens for five months and during that time he endeared himself to all. An illuminated address was presented to him prior to his leaving for the Goulburn Diocese.

Mr. T. C. Sproston, who came to Avoca in the year 1858, was for many years a Lay Reader in the Parish and took services in the outlying districts. He was also a member of the Vestry, which position he filled till his death in 1899. The scroll which runs the whole length of the Church beneath the roof was painted by Mr. Sproston’s father, the Reverend George Sproston, Vicar of Trimdom, England.

A branch of the Girls’ Friendly Society was started in Avoca in the year 1884 with Mrs. H. W. Carter and Miss Bacon as Associates, Miss Bacon also being secretary until her death in 1894.

In 1876 Mr. Magee trenched the ground on either side of the Church and planted trees free of cost.

The Reverend E. K. Yeatman resigned this year, and the Vestry, on behalf of the parishioners, presented him with some articles of silver plate. The Rev. J. Norton followed Mr. Yeatman, but only remained in the Parish for a few months. The Reverend J. A. Ball subsequently took his place in 1877.

In the year 1881 the old Common School was purchased from the Education Department at a nominal price of £5 and the land for £51. The old Church which had been the place of worship of the early settlers was sold to Mr. Gilbert for £100 in the year 1881.

In recognition of the services of Mr. Goodshaw to the Church, extending over many years, Archdeacon Julius, on behalf of the congregation of St. John’s, made him a presentation when he left the district in 1889.

Further additions were made to the Church in 1890 in the form of a vestry.

The Church was finally consecrated by Bishop Thornton, of Ballarat, on the 18th of October, 1893. In addressing the churchpeople the Bishop took as his text the words from Gen. xxviii., verses 21 and 22, “ The Lord shall be my God, and this stone which I have set up for a pillar will be God’s House.” The Reverend J. A. Ball was at that time Vicar. Amongst the visitors were the Reverends C. Harris, S. McGeorge, H. F. Barker and A. Brown.

Mr. Ball took his departure for Casterton in the year 1894 and was followed by the Reverend J. E. May, who only stayed a few months. In 1896 the Reverend W. H. Geer was instituted as Vicar. Mr. Geer was one of the pioneer Priests of the Ballarat Diocese, giving thirty years of faithful ministry.

On the 29th of August, 1900, the Church lost by death one of the most earnest of Church workers in the person of Miss Sweet. For twenty years she presided at the organ. Some time later a memorial window was placed in the Church to her memory. Two years later Mr. M. M. Wise died, and he was greatly missed. In 1904 Mrs. Sweet entered into her rest after forty years of beautiful service as Sunday School teacher and choir member.

Mr. Geer left Avoca for Mildura on the 15th of March, 1904, and was followed by the Reverend C. J. T. Martin, whose work at Redbank will ever stand as a memorial to his labours.

The second organ to be used in the Church was purchased for £28 in 1904.

Before the days of electric light the Church was lit up by acetylene gas, the installation of which cost £36/10/-, the work being done by Mr. Hempseed.

The early Vicars of the Parish lived in a Vicarage on the western banks of the Avoca River, but in 1917 it was considered that a change should be made that they may reside closer to the House of God. During the Incumbency of the Reverend Canon Reynolds the present house was purchased and the old one sold.

A Central Council was formed in the year 1918, consisting of representatives from all parts of the Parish.

Amongst the active workers in the Church of the past we must mention Mr. J. Spelman, who consistently gave his time in Sunday School teaching and Lay Reading over many years. Also mention must be made of Mr. Magee, and Mr. J. Chambers, who is at present in Melbourne and is kindly working very hard in making a success of the Diamond Jubilee. The Reverend Geo. Downton, whose work as a Missionary in New Guinea will long be remembered, was brought up in this Church.

One whose photo is shown herewith and is with us is Mr. A. G. Lalor. It is impossible to say how much he has done in connection with the Church that he loves, but for thirty-one years he has been a member of the Vestry and almost all that time a Churchwarden. He holds the record as far as Lay Reading is concerned, extending over the thirty-one years. Mr. A. M. Comins spent thirty-six years in the Sunday School, many of those years being Superintendent.

PAST AND PRESENT PRIESTS:

1857 Reverend W. Mcjennett.
1859-1865 Reverend Thos. B. Garlick.
1865 Reverend Bertram Dixon.
1865-1876 Reverend E. K. Yeatman, M.A.
Present Church:
1871-1876 Reverend E. K. Yeatman, M.A.
1876 Reverend Joseph Clampett, M.A.
1876- Reverend Jas. Norton.
1877- Reverend J. A. Ball.
1894-1895 Reverend J. E. F. May.
1896-1904 Reverend W. H. Geer.
1904-1910 Reverend C. J. T. Martin.
1910-1917 Reverend C. Reed.
1917-1924 Canon F. C. T. Reynolds.
1924-1926 Reverend R. A. Blackham.
1926-1930 Canon Seward.
1930 Reverend Arthur Bell.

In a glance over sixty years of Church history it is impossible to mention all those laymen who have held executive office, but amongst those who have served lengthy terms as Secretary or Treasurer are: Wm. Goodshaw, M. M. Wise, W. P. Gilbert, F. J. Sweet, F. G. Wise, J. Chambers, E. C. Dottle, and A. G. Lalor. Mr. H. B. Worthington is the Secretary at the present time. Mr. W. H. Carter was Secretary, Lay Reader and Sunday School Superintendent for many years.

Memorials which have been placed in the Church include the stained glass window depicting St. Cecilia, subscribed for by the congregation to perpetuate the memory of Nellie Sweet, for twenty-two years organist. The beautiful reredos, a memorial to the soldiers who served in the Great War, was erected at the east end of the Church and is supplemented by an honour board at the west end given by Mr. Downton. The hymn board is also to the memory of Miss Sweet. The psalm board was erected to the memory of Mr. Wm. Whitley from a bequest left by him. The stained glass window depicting the Good Shepherd was placed in position by the family of the late Mr. and Mrs. Francis Sweet in memory of their father and mother. The credence table was given by Mr. H. F. Classen in memory of his wife. A mural tablet on the south wall erected to the memory of Mr. and Mrs. Sproston by the family. The alms dish was given in the memory of Mr. T. Pym, who was killed during the Great War. The sanctuary carpet was given by the G.F.S. The altar vases were given by the Communicants’ Guild. The altar cross was a gift from Mr. J. Deeble. The lectern was the gift of Mr. H. F. Classen. The altar cruets were given by Mrs. T. Smith. The gates at the entrance to the Church grounds were erected to the memory of Robert Chappel and Eliza Bryant by their family.

The present Vestry is made up of the following: —Dr. Colquhoun, Messrs. James Clarke, Robt. Kaye, A. Kaye, L. Barker, H. J. Chapman, H. B. Worthington, W. Morris. S. Sproston, A. Astbury, J. Shaw, A. G. Ealor. Mr. A. G. Lalor is the Vicar’s Warden and Messrs. A. Kaye and Robt. Kaye are the Wardens representing the congregation.

Mr. and Mrs. Fitch were the first to be married in the new Church, and Miss Goodshaw was the first to be baptised.

No history of St. John’s would be complete without special mention being made of the care and love that Mr. H. F. Classen has lavished upon it. For many years he has taken a keen interest in the interior fittings and at times adding thereto, taking care to preserve those things so well made by his father.

Miss Mackereth is at present working on a very beautiful crochet edging for the fair linen cloth. This work has required about 4000 hours to complete and proves to be a work of art.

There are two organisations at present in existence that have earned the appreciation of all Church people. The first is the Ladies’ Guild, who meet once a month and during the last few years have added considerably to the finances of the Church as well as acting as hostesses and sponsors of definite Church movements from time to time. Mrs. Lalor (President), Mrs. Shaw (Treasurer), and Mrs. Worthington (Secretary) are prominent in this work and numerous others gladly give their assistance. The Girls’ Friendly Society is doing good work amongst the girls. They, too, have been of material assistance to the Vestry. Miss Hempseed is the Secretary, and is assisted by Mesdames Shaw, Lalor, Worthington, Kaye and Clarke.

Miss Isaacs is the present organist and is assisted by Miss Beryl Walker.