THE PARISH MESSENGER October 1954 Parish Centenary 1854-1954
A BRIEF HISTORY OF ST. PAUL'S
TO look back over a hundred years of history is indeed a tonic, for one has the chance of seeing men and women much like we are ourselves, faced with the any difficulties and successes of life sharing in the development and opening up of Gippsland. But more than that we have the chance of assessing those things which counted for real value in their life. No one can turn to the story, of the Anglican Church in Sale and Gippsland without the feeling of real pride in the Anglican tradition in the Australian scene. There was the spirit of adventure and high romance as well as a living faith in God expressed in that early Church life. Religion did count and wherever men and women went in the pursuit of their several avocations, the ministry of the Church went with them. It was so in the case of Sale.
1846 - First Services Held
At best there was a small population at Flooding creek by 1844, but during 1846 Gippsland was visited on several occasions by the Rev. E. G. Pryce, the resident clergyman of Monaro, N.S.W. The principal centre of his labours was in and around Tarraville, but he came to Flooding Creek (Sale) and held several services. Bishop Perry then commissioned the Rev. Francis Hales to an itinerating ministry, during which he visited all the Settlements. The first resident clergyman in Gippsland was the Rev. Willoughby Bean, who resided in Tarraville and who made periodic visits to all of his parish, which included the whole of Gippsland. He used to conduct services in private residences and in the large room of the Woolpack Inn in Sale,
1854 First incumbent For Sale
It was in October, 1854, that the Rev. P. K. Simmons arrived in Sale, but it was not until the 30th December that same year that he was licensed to the charge of the Parish. The parish of Sale was somewhat large in those days, extending as far as Bairnsdale. Regular services were conducted in Sale and at the various centres. The place of worship then had been transferred from the Woolpack Inn to the old Court House in Raymond Street, somewhere near the site of the present, High School, and nearly opposite St. Anne's Grammar School. At this time there was no vicarage, the vicar living at Mewburn Park.
1856 First Church Built
There seems to be some doubt as to whether Sale was the settlement in which the first church was built in Gippsland and official Diocesan historian has abided by the traditional belief the original church was built at Tarraville. However, it has said that "the first section of the first church was commenced in or about 1856, and the foundation stone was laid by Captain Jones of Fulham, one of the staunchest and earliest supporters of the church.” Captain Jones also presented the Font which is still in use in the Cathedral. His sister, Mrs. Kensall was the first organist of the church, and with Mrs. Carpenter, started the first Sunday School. "The Sale correspondent of the Port Albert paper, in the issue of February, 1857, mentions the arrival of Bishop Perry on his first visit of Gippsland. He preached and confirmed in Sale on Saturday, February 6th, 1857." Later he went on to Omeo and through East Gippsland to the N.S.W. border.
1860's and Church Extension
In 1861 a grant was made to the Sale Parish for extensions to the Church building. This extension was in the form of a gallery However, within a year or two even this extension was not large enough for the growing congregation.
Under the leadership of the first Archdeacon of Gippsland, the Ven. Theodore Stretch, further extensions were carried out, the foundation stone for this new section being laid on November 8th, 1865, by the Bishop of Melbourne. In a receptacle under the stone was placed three coins, 1/-, 6d., and 3d., a copy of the "Gippsland Times and two other documents relative to the setting of the stone.
1880's : Present church erected and opened
The fourth incumbent of the Parish of Sale was responsible for the sale of the old church and site and the purchase of the new and present one. Undoubtedly there was great vision in this move, for the present site of the Cathedral is the central block in the City of Sale. 'Away, from the hurry and bustle of the main street, from which more and more the city seems to be growing, the Cathedral is set in delightful surroundings with Victoria Park in front of it. The consent of the Bishop for the sale and the purchase had been obtained in the 1870's however it was not until 1882 that anything was done. A meeting in that year decided by 31 votes to 1 to purchase the present area of land, for the sum of £1150. During Canon Watson's ministry plans for a new church were prepared, and after some delay the contract was let to Mr. Wynd for the sum of £3,389. On December 3rd, 1882, the foundation stone was laid by Bishop Moorhouse, and on November 5th, 1884, the new church was officially opened by the Bishop.
In the same year a pipe organ was installed at a cost of £290 and it is believed that the present organ is that original one. - Of course it has been repaired and renovated from time to time.
1902 : Diocese of Gippsland formed
The Rev. Henry Forde Scott, who succeeded Canon Watson in 1896, saw the formation of the Diocese of Gippsland, and as a review of the correspondence of the time will show, played a big part in bringing this move into effect. His was the privilege of sharing in the Golden Jubilee of the Parish in 1904. More than that, he saw the first Ordination Service in the Cathedral, when four men were Ordained by the Bishop of Gippsland. His was also the joy to see the Consecration of the church. Details concerning the formation of Gippsland as a Diocese are readily available in the history of the Diocese, compiled by Canon A. E. Clark, and published under the title "The Church of our Fathers." An election board of eight men had been elected for the purpose of choosing a Bishop for the new Diocese, and under the guidance of God they chose Arthur Wellesley Pain, canon of St. Andrew's Cathedral, Sydney, and Rector of St. John's Darlinghurst. He was Consecrated in St. Andrew's Cathedral, Sydney, on Whit Tuesday, May 20th, 1902, and enthroned in St. Paul's Cathedral, Sale, on July 10th, 1902.
For many years after the building of the Church the Parish had been heavily encumbered with debt-at one stage the amount of debt was between two and three thousand pounds. After a hard struggle the debt was reduced to £196, when the Hon. Wm. Pearson and his wife offered a sum of money to clear the debt on condition that the congregation gave the balance. £108 was collected and with the promises of £90 the debt was finally wiped out in May 1907. A Thanksgiving Service for the liquidation of the debt was held on Sunday, June 9th, and on Tuesday, October 22nd, the Church was consecrated by Lord Bishop of the Diocese."
1908 – 1914 Buildings and extensions
In 1908 the building which today is used as the clergy vestry (1954) was erected and at that time used as the choir vestry. That same year the Rev. H. F. Scott resigned and the Rev. C. H. Nash became Rector, and was appointed Archdeacon of Gippsland by the Bishop. It was during his Incumbency that the Primate, the Most Rev. John Charles Wright, made his first visit to Sale. He had been Consecrated Archbishop of Sydney in 1909, and elected as Primate of Australia in 1910 and made the visit to Sale in 1911, when we read that the first Diocesan Festival was held. Later on, in 1929, the Primate made another visit to Sale on the occasion of the 75th anniversary. In 1911 the Bishop presented the Cathedral with a silver-gilt Chalice and a set of Communion Linen as a gift to the Cathedral from well-wishers in England,
The idea of erecting a parish Hall was brought into the realm of possibility when the Diocese when the Diocese in 1912 granted £300 from the sale of the old site in Raymond Street. The present Parish Hall, an excellent building, was built in 1912 at the price of £1066, the donations towards it amounting to £327. Within a few years three tennis courts were laid down. The Vestry of the time decided that the Vestry should have full control of the courts at all times. Later on the Vestry decided that the executive officers of the Club should be members of the Church of England.
1917 : Change of Diocesan.
Owing to failing health, Bishop Pain resigned in 1917, after serving the Diocese for 15 years and the Rev. George Harvard Cranswick was appointed in his stead. Bishop Pain preached his farewell sermon in the Cathedral on Sunday, October 17th, and Bishop Cranswick, who had been consecrated in St. Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne, on All Saints' Day 1917, was enthroned in St. Paul's Cathedral, Sale, on November 15th by the late Archbishop Clark. Under the new regime the status of our Parish Church changed yet again. The first Bishop laid the foundations of the Diocese and used St. Paul's as his Pro-Cathedral. The task of Bishop Cranswick was consolidation and development. Part of that policy was in passing the Cathedral Act by which the Pro Cathedral became in 1918 the Cathedral of the Diocese. This meant that the first Cathedral Chapter could be elected and some of the names on that first Chapter still echo in the minds of church people today.
1920-1926 . Further Building and Changes
Canon Haultain, the first Canon in Residence, was incumbent of the parish for five years, during which time the Ladies' Guild cleared the debt on the Parish hall and the Kindergarten Hall was built at a cost of £875 as a memorial to Mrs. Pain. About this time also several improvements were made mostly in the form of memorials. The electric light was installed in the Cathedral; a bell had been brought from England and erected on a belfry as a memorial gift from Mrs. Pearson in memory of the Hon. Wm. Pearson, who had been a generous benefactor of the Church. Soon after Mrs. Pearson passed away and a very beautiful stained glass window was erected in her memory by her children. Mrs. J. Walden presented a very fine brass eagle lectern in memory of her husband.
In 1924, Archdeacon White became Incumbent of the Parish and it was during his incumbency that the Colours presented by Edward VII. to the 10th Australian Light Horse were handed to the Dean of the Cathedral for Safe keeping by Major Arnott. Also the 'front part of the Rectory was rebuilt at a cost over £1300. We had shortly before received a legacy of £500 from, the Estate of the late Mrs. Pearson. This money was used for the rectory renovations and the Ladies, Guild undertook to raise another £600.
1926 A Jubilee and Consolidation
Already under the leadership of Bishop Cranswick there was a growing desire that a new Cathedral be built, and with this idea in mind two properties on the east side of the Cathedral were purchased by the Diocese at the request of the Cathedral Chapter. Canon Thornton, who had been installed as Canon in
Residence at the beginning of 1927, was quickly thrust into arrangements for the proper celebrating of the 75th anniversary. The scheme of a new Cathedral was fully explored and some delightful plans were forthcoming. Rising costs, the coming of the depression of the thirties, made it impossible to embark on a scheme which would have cost tens of thousands, and that at a most difficult financial time. The other plan which took shape was in improving the interior of the present Cathedral building and the Cathedral as we know it today in many ways is the result of that work being carried out at a cost of over £2000. The work comprised some internal structural additions, including the erection of Entrance Porch and Choir Vestries at the west end, with which has been incorporated a beautiful Baptistery. The east end was entirely altered by removing the organ and Choir stalls into the Nave, thus opening up the Chancel, enlarging the Sanctuary to suit it for Diocesan purposes, and the furnishing of the old Vestry as a Side Chapel. New furnishings included a Marble Pulpit, a Reredos, a Canon's Stall, Clergy Stalls and Choir fronts, furnishings for the Side Chapel and Sanctuary, Communion Linen and silk work, and furnishings for the Baptistery. While these alterations made the actual seating accommodation within the Cathedral very much smaller there is no doubt that they did make a very big difference in the beauty of the Cathedral. It was on All Saints' Day in 1929 that the Premier of Victoria, the Hon. Sir William McPherson, officially re-opened the Cathedral and the many Jubilee gifts and memorials were dedicated by Bishop Cranswick. On Sunday, November 3rd, the Primate of Australia, the Most Reverend J. C. Wright, Archbishop of Sydney, made his second visit to Sale, to be the special Jubilee preacher. Altogether the Jubilee celebrations were worthy of the occasion and the Anglican tradition. Many visitors to Sale have commented on the well kept croquet lawns bordering on the eastern side of the Cathedral. When this land was originally purchased by the Diocese for the Cathedral it was overgrown with rank grass and weeds. However, during the incumbency of Archdeacon Blundell a St. Paul's Croquet Club was organised. The Club took over this section of the grounds and have not only kept the grounds in splendid order, but have added a delightful Club house.
1942 Change of Diocesan
After twenty-five years as Bishop of the Diocese, Dr. Cranswick resigned in 1942 to take up the position of Chairman of the Australian Board of Missions. He had been at the helm during years of development and on into the early years of the war. Chosen as the third Bishop of Gippsland was Archdeacon Donald Burns Blackwood, Vicar of Holy Trinity parish, Hobart. His Consecration took place in St. Paul’s Cathedral, Melbourne, on St. James' Day, 1942, and the Enthronement in the Cathedral Church of St. Paul's, Sale, was duly performed by the Administrator of the Diocese, Archdeacon D. W. Weir, on Wednesday, August 5th, 1942. Within a short spare of time, the Bishop was deprived of the services of both Archdeacon Weir and the Incumbent of the Cathedral 'Parish, Archdeacon Blundell. A former lay assistant at the Cathedral who had entered the Priesthood, the Rev. J. D. Sansom, was unanimously elected to succeed Archdeacon Blundell, and became Canon in Residence. There was a keen appreciation of the pastoral work and friendship given by Archdeacon Blundell and to his memory there was placed in the Cathedral Sanctuary on the southern side, a fine blackwood Sedilia. Further a much needed beginners room was added to the Annie Pain Hall as a Blundell Memorial.
1947 : Diocesan Centenary
Centenary celebrations in connection with the Church of England in Gippsland were observed in 1947. While Tarraville was a centre where special services were held, it was natural that the Mother Church of the Diocese, St. Paul's Cathedral, should be the centre of the main celebrations. On All Saints' Day, 1947, there was a Children’s Pilgrimage to the Cathedral organised more particularly by Archdeacon Benn. The "Gippsland Times" reported the occasion thus: "From early morning until just before assembling time, buses from all parts of Gippsland arrived in Sale. Load after load of children debussed at Victoria Park. After a welcome by the Mayor of Sale, about 1500 children carried on with the commemoration by attending service at the Cathedral, then lunch at Bishopscourt followed by an afternoon at the 'drome, beautiful Souvenir Testaments were distributed to approximately 1500 children . . . " On Sunday, November 2nd, special services were held in the Cathedral, while during the afternoon there was a Procession of Witness from the Cathedral to the old site of the former Woolpack Inn.
1949 : A New Cathedral Act
During the Diocesan Synod in May, 1949, a Bill was introduced under the guidance and inspiration of the Bishop by which a new Cathedral Act would be set up, amongst other things giving the Bishop, Lay Canons and Diocesan Nominators the authority to elect a Dean, and also to elect and appoint three Clerical Canons. In addition there was set up a Greater Cathedral Chapter which would be comprised of the Dean, Archdeacons, Clerical Canons, Diocesan and Cathedral Lay Canons, all under the direction of His Lordship the Bishop. In many ways this was a big step forward and has brought about a greater feeling of affection for the Mother Church of the Diocese. The passing of the Bill was thus described by the Bishop: "The Bill was necessarily a lengthy one, and there was some criticism on the part of members of Synod, because they had not received the draft in time to digest it as fully as they would have wished. A move was made to have the Bill postponed for a year on this account, but an amendment to this effect was defeated, and the Bill passed its second reading without much opposition. The committee stage was inevitably protracted since the Bill contained 36 clauses, each one of which had to be considered separately . . ."
When the Bill was eventually passed the Bishop immediately announced his nominee. Synod's nominee, who was announced the next day, was the Rev. Canon R. W. G. Phillips, the Bishop nominating the Revs. Canon J. H. Brown and A. E. Clark. The Canon in Residence, Canon J. D. Sansom, was elected as first Dean of the Cathedral under this new Act. The official Diocesan historian says; 'We made history on Whit Sunday, 5th June, 1949, when we installed the Very Rev. J. D. Sansom as the first Dean of Sale. The Dean was presented by the Archdeacon and Lay Canons and installed in due form, taking the customary oaths and declarations, as well as one relating to his new position as Dean. "??!!(when) Ere the year 1949 ended Dean Sansom had resigned the Deanery and moved to Melbourne early in 1950. In his place the Rector of Bega, N.S.W. Dr. C. B. Alexander, was nominated and was duly installed as second Dean of Sale on Thursday, March 9th, 1950.
During the last five years there have been some lovely additions to the furnishings and fabric of the Cathedral
1951 : Visit of the Archbishop of York
Cathedral was filled to capacity (seating being obtainable ticket) on Monday, November 26th 1951, to greet the Most Rev. and Right Hon. Cyril Forster Garbett, D.D., Archbishop and Primate of England. A special service of Liturgical had been prepared, and the Bishop of the Diocese welcomed Archbishop in the name of the Diocese. His Grace an inspiring sermon, and despite a severe thunderstorm was raging at the time, his calm, quiet voice filled the Cathedral and held the interest of all present. During the service Archbishop dedicated the blackwood Memorial Panelling in the Sanctuary to the Glory of God, and in memory of Hilda Evelyn Webster, obit. 27/11/50. The panelling was the gift of husband, Mr. W. P. Webster.
In 1953 the Primate of Australia, the Most Rev. Howard Mowl. D D., Archbishop of Sydney, visited the Cathedral at the commencement of the Diocesan Synod when he placed before synodsmen the urgent need of financial help and evangelisation in south- East Asia.
Amongst gifts and memorials to the Cathedral in recent years have been several bequests, which in the main have been set aside to build a capital endowment for the Cathedral. They are:-
Bequests: Katie Cross, White, Jamieson, Grant, Mallett, Anonymous. Ada England, Thomas, Coate, Brumby, Little. Memorials: Adeney Sedilia; Glover Memorial Window: Christie Memorial Credens Table; Glover Memorial Paten and Chalice; Glover Memorial Bible; Cherry Memorial Bread Box, Service Books and communion Linen, etc.
Whilst recently the Ladies' Guild had a heating system installed in the Cathedral.
In such a brief survey of the past hundred years as is possible within the scope of this monthly paper much has had to be abbreviated, so that a bird’s-eye view of the whole period can be obtained. There is the excellent history of the Diocese in book form written with every care by canon A. E. Clark, which is highly recommended and obtainable at the Diocesan Registry.
There are two smaller publications, one dealing with the first fifty years Of Sale Parish and published at the time of the Golden Jubilee. There is another which was printed on the occasion of the 75th anniversary. Both are worth reading. However, in these brief surveys we are prone to lose sight of the important factor in all Church life, viz., the men and women who really make up the life of the Church. Looking back over the past century we must thank God for the vision, and the faith of those men and women who found a spiritual home in St. Paul's. They gave freely of their time and substance, and they set us an example of Christian living and devotion. For all this we must express our thanks to God.
Laus Deo l
Thanks which are merely expressed do not go very deep. Actions do speak louder than words. We have entered into a grand heritage. Surely it is our responsibility to see that as we say; thanks to the past generations of worshippers, we also create and build a worthy tradition and witness for those who will come after us.
Therein is real thanks.
As we move out into the future, with plans for enlarging and beautifying the Cathedral, of witnessing sincerely to the Christ, with our eyes turned towards the Eternal light and our hearts aflame with the Divine Love, let us pray
May the glorious majesty of the lord our God be upon us, may he prosper: the work of our hands upon us, and crown our lives with the beauty of his glory. Amen.
BISHOPS OF THE DIOCESE
1902-1917: The Right Reverend Arthur Wellesley Pain, M.A., D.O.
1917-1942: The Right Reverend George Harvard Cranswick, B.A., D.D., Th.D. .
1942: The Right Reverend Donald Burns Blackwood, M.C., v.o., M.A., Th.'!).
DEANS OF THE CATHEDRAL (ACT 1949)
1949-'1950: The Very Reverend J. D. Sansom, ThL.
1950: The Very Reverend C. B. Alexander, M.A., B.D., Th.D.
INCUMBENTS
1846: The Rev. E. G. Pryce, M.A., visited Sale from N.S.W.
1848: The Rev. Willoughby Bean: First Incumbent of Gippsland.
1854-1863: The Rev. P. K. Simmons.
1863-1866: Ven. Archdeacon Theodore stretch.
1866-1874: Canon T. W. sergeant.
1874-189.6: Canon Geo. W. Watson.
1896-1908: The Rev. Henry F. Scott.
1908-1912: Ven. Archdeacon C. H. Nash.
1912-1918: Rev. G. H. Smith.
1919: The Rev. R. G. Nicholls, M:A., B.D. (Locum Tenens).
1920-1924: The Rev. Canon D. Haultain.
1924-'1927: The Ven. Archdeacon White.
1927-1935: Canon F. E. Thornton, M.A.
1935-1943: Ven. Archdeacon J. H. Blundell
1943-1949: Canon. J. D. Sansom, Th.L.
DEANS OF THE CATHEDRAL (ACT 1949)
1949-1950: The Very Reverend J. D. Sansom, ThL.
1950: The Very Reverend C. B. Alexander, M.A., B.D., Th.D.
