Early Days
Twenty five years after the first white settlers arrived in Moruya, in1843, the Rev EG Pryce was appointed as minister to the “Maneroo” (Monaro) which included the whole of the Far South Coast – a large area to cover on horseback! A more frequent pastoral visitor was Rev James Allan who, for seventeen years until 1860, rode from Braidwood on horseback to preach to groups of settlers and to conduct marriages and baptisms.
St John’s Moruya
Since 1862 there have been two St John’s churches in the present grounds. The first was a wooden structure, used as both a church and a church school. By 1886 it had become no longer serviceable and, in 1890, work began on a new brick and stone building alongside the old one.
The new church was designed by Arthur Blackett, son of the well-known architect Edmund Blackett. He was very particular about the appearance of the church, particularly in relation to the shape of the roof and the buttresses. His original plan included a cot for one or two bells and an organ chamber, both of which he agreed to omit because of financial constraints.
The granite foundation stone on the north-east corner was obtained from the quarry at Pompey Point and laid by Mrs Emilie Mort on 29th October 1890.
Building was completed in April 1891 and the church was opened free of debt. It was dedicated to divine worship on 5th April 1891 and consecrated on 26th April 1893.
It is a registered “heritage” building.
The Silver Jubilee was celebrated in some style on 29th October 1915. To mark the occasion acetylene gas was installed in the church, the roof re-slated, the eastern end was cemented outside and plastered inside and the whole of the interior was colored. Many gifts from parishioners, including a new altar and numerous items of church furniture were dedicated at the evening service with Archdeacon Ward representing the Bishop.
Records for the next fifty years or so are somewhat sparse but a few incidents may be noted.
The Parish obtained its first car around 1927, it was a Ford and was later sold for ₤40. After the sale a “Car Fund” was established with ₤60 to form the nucleus of an amount to purchase a new car “should one be required for the Parish at any future time”.
Times were hard during the depression and one Rector, Rev “Monty” Nell supplemented his income by mending wireless sets. His daughter, Betty Osborne, as part of the centenary celebrations in 1990 wrote a graphic account of life as a rectory kid in the thirties, entitled “The Red Dress and the Gun”.
Things improved with time and in 1955 a new carpet and kneelers were installed and some “draught board” linoleum removed to allow sanding and polishing part of the floor.
The stained glass east window, depicting Leonardo da Vinci’s “Last Supper” was installed in 1970 at a cost of $574. Soon afterwards, in 1972, the lead-light west window was smashed in a violent hailstorm with the glass fragments “like confetti” reaching as far as the sanctuary steps.
By 1982 it was apparent that major repairs and renovations were needed. More than a score of devoted church members worked very hard for a long time inside and outside the church. They levelled floors, cleaned and completely renovated walls and windows, replaced the carpets, all furniture and furnishings including the pulpit were stripped of old paint or varnish and completely restored. New lighting was installed, new guttering and storm-water outfalls fitted, windows were protected with wire guards and, finally a new aumbry was constructed and fitted in the sanctuary. During the renovation process a new brick toilet block was built, both halls were cleaned, scraped and painted, one leg of the bell tower was replaced and the whole structure repainted.
A large Bunya Pine in the church grounds became unsafe so it had to be felled and in 2005/6 the remaining trunk was carved and decorated to produce a font. This has been covered and, in suitable weather, is popular for baptisms.
A recent innovation has been the installation in the church of a suitable retractable screen to allow the use of a digital projector. The words of the liturgy and of the hymns are projected on to the screen, so that it is no longer necessary to issue prayer books and hymn books to members of the congregation.
Even more recently a new sign has been erected at the corner of Campbell and Page Streets. This was donated as a memorial to Bill Altmann, a much respected parishioner.
St John’s Rectory
The foundation stone of St John’s Rectory was laid on 1st November 1870 by Mrs Marie Caswell. The carpentry work was contracted for ₤310/10/0 and the stone and brick work for ₤368/0/0. A number of fund-raising activities were organised to pay for the building, including a “Phantasmagoria Entertainment” given by Mr Barlow in the Court House for the admission of one shilling.
It was written into the contract of Rev James Love who was appointed in August 1871 that he “reside in the parsonage when completed”. He lived there for the next four years except for about 12 months spent in gaol after becoming what Bishop Mesac Thomas described as “a victim of the technicalities of the law”.
In her book “The Red Dress and the Gun”, referred to above, Betty Osborne describes the back verandah in the thirties with the laundry at one end, the bathroom at the other and the pump in the middle. However, a significant renovation and restoration occurred in 1972 and more work was done in the late 1980s to bring the old rectory up to the standard set by the diocese. It was re-dedicated in 1973 by Bishop C A Warren.
Maintenance is an on-going process and plans are in hand for some substantial work on roofing, exterior paintwork and internal refurbishments have been carried out during 2010/11. The Rectory has been leased to Anglicare.
St Andrew’s, Tuross Head
Anglican services in Tuross Head were held in the Progress Hall for many years, then transferred to St David’s Presbyterian Church where they were held until St Andrew’s was built in 1972/3. Mr Eric Ryall, of Tuross Head, had given a block of land in Craddock Road and in his will he bequeathed $2000 and a pedal organ for the church.
A Ladies Guild was formed and fund-raising functions were organised, and donations were given by the members of the congregation and visiting friends. The church building was begun in 1972 and completed in January 1973 at a cost of $7,089. The first service was held in the church on 26th January. As the building was free of debt, the Bishop of Canberra and Goulburn, the Rt Revd C A Warren, consecrated the church on Sunday 11th February 1973.
Pews came from the old Nerigundah church and were restored by Canon C Luders assisted by the wardens, A. Aycliffe, J McCoy and E. Horne and the Rev Charles WeelerAltar rails also came from Nerigundah. The pulpit, made by the husband of Mrs Jessie Miller, was given by her in memory of her husband. Altar, lectern and prayer desk were from St Matthew’s, Milperra, via Mrs Noel Phillips. They had been stored at the home of Mrs Betty Turner and she had begun renovation. The organ was also stored there.
Mr and Mrs Noel Phillips gave two sets of burse and veil. Ladies’ Guild gave another set and book marks for all seasons of the church. The altar cloth and the credence table cloth were made and given by Mrs Muriel Luders. The brass cross was given by Mr and Mrs Noel Phillips to St Luke’s, East Hills, then presented to St Andrew’s. Mr Arthur Marshall made the hymn board from a leaf of his dining-room table.
Mr McDonald of Sydney, gave the font pedestal via Mr and Mrs E Horne. The bowl on top was made from the blade of a propeller and donated by Mrs M Cox who also gave the lectern bible. The candlesticks were made by Canon Luders from camphor laurel timber from Bodalla. Ladies’ Guild provided hymn and prayer books.
In 1978 an electronic organ replaced the reed organ which would have been too costly to repair. Mrs M McCoy gave new altar rails in memory of her husband, John, a foundation warden. Mr and Mrs Bob Audler donated the timber and the rails were made and installed by Mr Charlie Facer at no cost. In 1982 kneelers were donated by Mr and Mrs Bob Holden in memory of Mr Holden’s mother of Parramatta, a frequent worshipper at St Andrew’s. The kneelers were made and installed by Mr Lance Bingham.
By 1986 the church was found to be too small for the number of worshippers and was extended in the following year. A vestry was included. The money was raised by functions and donations. The original chalice and patten were given by Mr and Mrs Arthur Ayliffe in memory of Mr Ayliffe’s parents. A second set was given by Sir James and Lady Willis in memory of Mrs Mary Cox, organist for many years. Mrs Hilda Horne donated the brass candlesticks in memory of her husband, Ted, a foundation warden of St Andrew’s.
More pews were installed in the church extension. They came from Nelligen and were renovated by Sir James Willis. Extra hymn and prayer books were given by the Ladies’ Guild and members of the congregation as memorials.
For a number of years, including during the building of the church, Tuross Head was “temporarily transferred to the parish of Bodalla for working purposes”. With the creation of the new parish of Batemans Bay, Tuross Head was returned to the parish of Moruya in January 1982.
In 1988 it was again necessary to enlarge the church. This was done in early 1988 by extending the sanctuary end and doubling the size of the church. Again this was done completely free of debt, thanks to donations from members of St Andrew’s congregation, St Andrew’s Ladies’ Guild and visiting friends.
The next project was the provision of a much-needed sink and plumbing in the vestry. Then some time later cupboards and a wardrobe were installed.
The vision and dedicated giving, both money and labour, of so many church members and friends over the years is represented in the building and fittings we have today. It is a continuing process. There is still much to be done and, as always, with God’s help it will be done. We have been extremely blessed in all our efforts and are very proud of our dear church. Thanks to everyone for their prayers and generosity.
In recent years the Ayliffe family donated a prayer book for the altar in memory of their mother, Evelyn and a sanctuary lamp in memory of Arthur Joseph Aycliffe. Hilda Horne’s grand-daughter, Amanda, had one of the altar candlesticks engraved in memory of her grandmother and also donated a new pew. A ramp was built at the entrance to the church for easier access. Another new pew was purchased from donations by members of the congregation in memory of loved ones. Skylights were provided by the Ladies’ Guild and also new blinds for the windows behind the altar. Graham Jackson made a second prayer desk to match the original, dedicated in 1996.
Recently a retractable screen has been installed to allow the use of a digital projector during services. Also a piano has been donated by Sheila and Beattie Monahan.
Much of this history was compiled by Mrs Hilda Horne, a foundation member of St Andrew’s and an untiring worker for the church over several decades.
St Peter’s, Tomakin
The St Peter’s Tomakin congregation for many years met for worship at 11.30am in the Tomakin Community Hall.
Services in Tomakin ceased in 2012.
Broulee, Mossy Point and Tomakin are coastal townships to the north of Moruya that are separated by waterways. More direct contact between these places was facilitated by bridges in 1966 and 1974. However, mid-week gatherings for worship in “home church” at several different locations over time, dates back half a century. Open air “cliff-top” services at Christmas and Easter have been held at Mossy Point since 1972.
Periodic Sunday worship commenced in 1985 and on formation of a Community Hall at Tomakin the next year, twice a month services moved there. The dedication St Peter’s was chosen and then the first church wardens elected in February 1987. Worship was been held each Sunday from early in 1988 until 2009.
A Mother’s Union Group played an important role for 17 years. Among its efforts was making Palm Crosses for the parish and beyond.
Ministry was maintained by Parish clergy with the assistance of others who had retired to the coast or who came on holiday, together with lay ministers. The congregation always welcomed holiday makers at any time, and was particularly caring of the elderly. This lasting reputation was recorded in a bereavement situation in the parish magazine many years ago: “Tomakin has also shown itself a caring community… because of kind and loving friends…”.
Worship in the Community hall involved working out of a cupboard to set up and rearranging furniture; and of course tidying away afterwards. The ladies were largely responsible for this. In the main, the various accoutrements for worship – cross, vessels, vestments etc were either made by, or given in memory of members of the congregation. Music was provided by a small organ and a team of organists to assist us in our praise, using a wide variety from the Australian Hymn Book, supplemented by a selection of newer hymns.
A feature of worship at St Peter’s was the gatherings for “Cliff Top” Eucharists . They were inaugurated by Archdeacon Fred Hill when he retired to Mossy Point. These outdoor services were held early on Easter Day and by candle light on Christmas Eve and proved popular over the years.