St John's Anglican Church, New Town

Last updated

St John's Anglican Church, New Town
St Johns Anglican New Town.jpg
St John's Anglican Church, New Town
42°51′17″S147°17′50″E / 42.8548°S 147.2971°E / -42.8548; 147.2971
Location14 St John's Avenue, New Town, Tasmania
Country Australia
Denomination Anglican
Website lifenow.org.au
History
Founded6 January 1834
Consecrated 29 May 1838
Architecture
Architect(s) John Lee Archer
Architectural type Gothic Revival
Groundbreaking 1834
Completed1835
Specifications
Materials Convict bricks and sandstone ?
Administration
Diocese Anglican Diocese of Tasmania
Parish St John's New Town

St John's Anglican Church is an Anglican church located in New Town, Tasmania, Australia, is notable for its unbroken record of use as a parish church, from the first service on 20 December 1835 up to the present. The parish is administered by the Anglican Diocese of Tasmania.

Contents

The building was designed by the Tasmanian government civil engineer and architect, Dublin-born John Lee Archer who had been appointed in 1826 and arrived in Hobart Town in August 1827. [1]

The church was built by labourers and tradespeople from amongst the convicts on the island. [2]

Since it is more than 180 years old the church contains many features that reflect the life and times of Hobart as it developed in the 19th and 20th centuries. [3]

History

In 1830, there were plans for the construction in New Town of an orphanage and chapel (also known as the Orphan School or the Asylum). The "orphans" were children of convicts or Aboriginals and also young offenders.

The Tasmanian governor George Arthur upgraded the plan for a chapel to a parish church for the surrounding area, to be funded by donations. [4]

As O'Neill recounts, the pleasing exterior belied the grim conditions within: "From the beginning, the Orphan School seems to have been a bleak place". [5]

The Orphan School, designed by John Lee Archer, was situated in St John's Avenue, New Town. The parish church of St John's stood between the buildings for boys and for girls. In God's Own Country, Boyce describes this as a 'parish partnership' between the Church and government with the church designed specifically for the needs of the Asylum, convicts and free settlers. The children sat in one gallery and the convicts in the other with the settlers in the main body. Barriers and separate entrances prevented the children from seeing the convicts. Church of England clergy dominated the committee that managed the Asylum. [5]

It was convicts who built the church, after making the raw materials such as hand-made bricks for the walls, hand-hewn stone for the tower, and timber beams cut from trees on nearby Mount Wellington. [2] [6] The work was sufficiently complete for the first service to be conducted 20 December 1835.

Features

The exterior and interior features of the building are of architectural and historical interest. [3]

By the 1850s, whale oil was burned in all the lamps that lit the church. [2] This was modern and progressive at that time, but would be out of the question in the twenty-first century, when whales are protected under Australian Law [7]

Pipe organ

The Hill & Son Organ seen from the console, in St John's New Town St Johns 1896 W Hill Organ.jpg
The Hill & Son Organ seen from the console, in St John's New Town

The church's organ has evolved over time, as described by John Maidment:

The first organ was built by Gray & Davison, London. It had a Gothic case in stained and varnished oak, with gilt facade pipes. This organ was sold to St John's Presbyterian Church, Macquarie Street, Hobart and was replaced by a new organ built in 1901 by Geo. Fincham & Son of Melbourne. This organ was rebuilt in 1955 by Hill, Norman & Beard (Australia) Pty Ltd, of Clifton Hill, Victoria. The organ was further rebuilt in 1977-78 by Laurie Pipe Organs Pty Ltd, of Moorabbin, Victoria when some further tonal changes were made including a full-length metal Bassoon 16ft to the Pedal Organ.. At some stage, the pipe mouths have been overpainted, removing the original border decoration. [8]

Clock and bell

St John's Church clock, seen from Creek Road St-John's-Clock.jpg
St John's Church clock, seen from Creek Road

As described by Archer's biographer, Roy Smith: "The tower of St. John's Church, New Town is carried out in freestone in a simple pointed Gothic style, with a battlemented top and with octagonal buttresses finishing as pinnacles. It is an attractive tower" (Smith, 1962, p. 14). [9] On all four sides, the tower exhibits a clock that still chimes the hours, although it is "older than Big Ben" according to Walters, who records that it was made in London in 1818 by Thwaites & Reed and that the clock's bell was donated as a royal gift from the English king, William IV in 1834.

The original bell had to be decommissioned in 1916 because of safety considerations. It was melted down and formed into commemorative medallions. A replacement bell was installed in 1929, jointly funded by all the churches in the district, whatever their denomination. [10]

One of several refurbishments occurred in 1978, when the clock's dial was restored to its original gold Roman figures on a black background. [11]

Pulpit

The altar in St John's New Town, also showing a sample of the many stained glass windows St Johns Altar.jpg
The altar in St John's New Town, also showing a sample of the many stained glass windows

Imported cedar wood was used to construct and carve the pulpit, designed to be imposing at a height of four metres (over 13 feet), with three decks. Only the top deck remains today, but a drawing of the original can be seen in the church pamphlet. [12]

Pews and galleries

The first pews, like the pulpit, were made from imported cedar wood. They were of the high box style, arranged to face a central aisle rather than all facing the altar as the modern bench-pews do. These seats were reserved for members of the congregation who were neither orphans nor convicts. The orphans and convicts were restricted to the North Gallery and South Gallery respectively, both of which were entirely devoid of comforts, and rigorously segregated. [13]

Narthex

A small side-chapel, the Narthex, was dedicated on 26 April 1987 to the memory of Margaret Anne Hemsley, who had been a valued parishioner, active in the service of the community. [14]

Documents and photographs about the history of the church and its congregation are stored and displayed in a room set aside for the purpose, dedicated to the memory of Catherine Latta. [15]

Graveyard

As Whiteley records in her blog (exhibiting photographs of the church together with much historical information):

There was both an Anglican & a Catholic cemetery on site until the 1870s. Children from the orphans schools were buried here, but it was also the parish cemetery for residents of New Town. The stones were cleared in the 1960s, and many taken to Cornelian Bay. [16]

Other Anglican churches in Tasmania

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hobart</span> Capital city of Tasmania, Australia

HobartHOH-bart; is the capital and most populous city of the island state of Tasmania, Australia. Located in Tasmania's south-east on the estuary of the River Derwent, it is the southernmost capital city in Australia. Despite containing nearly half of Tasmania's population, Hobart is the least-populated Australian state capital city, and second-smallest by population and area after Darwin if territories are taken into account. Its skyline is dominated by the 1,271-metre (4,170 ft) kunanyi / Mount Wellington, and its harbour forms the second-deepest natural port in the world, with much of the city's waterfront consisting of reclaimed land. The metropolitan area is often referred to as Greater Hobart, to differentiate it from the City of Hobart, one of the seven local government areas that cover the city. It has a mild maritime climate.

The history of Tasmania begins at the end of the Last Glacial Period when it is believed that the island was joined to the Australian mainland. Little is known of the human history of the island until the British colonisation of Tasmania in the 19th century.

Richmond is a town in Tasmania about 25 km north-east of Hobart, in the Coal River region, between the Midland Highway and Tasman Highway. At the 2006 census, Richmond had a population of 880.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Town, Tasmania</span> Suburb of Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

New Town is a suburb of the city of Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, about 4 kilometres (2 mi) north of the central business district of Hobart. It is generally considered Hobart's oldest suburb, settled just a week after Sullivans Cove. It was historically the home of many of Hobart's wealthiest citizens, and New Town features a large number of grand residences, churches, and public buildings. The large farms were broken up following the world wars and it is now an inner city residential suburb. Many of its streets are lined with Federation style cottages. It is surrounded by the suburbs of North Hobart, Mount Stuart, Lenah Valley and Moonah, with the Queen's Domain just to the south-east. Most of the locality is within the Hobart local government area, with 2.5% within Glenorchy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Longford, Tasmania</span> Town in Tasmania, Australia

Longford is a town in the northern midlands of Tasmania, Australia. It lies 145 m above sea level at the convergence of the Macquarie River and the South Esk River, 21 km south of Launceston and a 15-minute drive from the airport. It is just south of the Illawarra Road, a road connecting the Bass and Midland Highways. It has a population of 3,863 and is part of the Northern Midlands Council area. The region is predominantly agricultural, noted for wool, dairy produce and stock breeding.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Norfolk</span> Town in Tasmania, Australia

New Norfolk is a riverside town located on the River Derwent in southeastern Tasmania, Australia. Established in 1807, it is Tasmania’s fourth-oldest European settlement and ranks as the twelfth oldest in Australia. Initially founded by evacuees from Norfolk Island, New Norfolk has a population of 6,153 as of 2021 and serves as the main township of the Derwent Valley region. It lies 32 kilometres (20 mi) northwest of Hobart, along the Lyell Highway, and is encompassed within the Greater Hobart statistical area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bothwell, Tasmania</span> Town in Tasmania, Australia

Bothwell, Tasmania is a small town with a population at the 2021 census of 499. Situated in central Tasmania on the River Clyde in a broad valley, it is notable for hunting and being a lake district. It is part of the municipality of Central Highlands Council and celebrated the bicentenary of its founding in 2022. Nearby locations include Hollow Tree, Hamilton, Ouse and Kempton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carrick, Tasmania</span> Town in Tasmania, Australia

Carrick is a small historic village 17 kilometres (11 mi) west of Launceston, Tasmania, Australia, on the banks of the Liffey River. The Meander Valley Highway passes through the town's centre; this road was formerly the main road from Launceston to Deloraine and Devonport. Carrick has a well-preserved 19th-century heritage; fifteen of its colonial buildings are listed on the Tasmanian Heritage Register including Carrick House (1840), St Andrew's Church (1848), the Old Watch house (1837), Monds Roller Mill (1846) and the Carrick Hotel (1833).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St David's Cathedral, Hobart</span> Anglican cathedral in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

The Cathedral Church of St David is the Anglican cathedral church located in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. The cathedral is the mother-church for the Diocese of Tasmania. Consecrated in 1874, St David's is the seat of the Bishop of Tasmania, currently the Right Reverend Richard Condie. The dean is the Very Reverend Richard Humphrey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anglican Diocese of Tasmania</span> Diocese of the Anglican Church of Australia

The Anglican Diocese of Tasmania includes the entire Tasmanian state of Australia and is an extraprovincial diocese of the Anglican Church of Australia.

John Lee Archer was the Civil Engineer and Colonial Architect in Van Diemen's Land, serving from 1827 to 1838. During his tenure, Archer was responsible for all Tasmanian government buildings including those for penal and military purposes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ross, Tasmania</span> Town in Tasmania, Australia

Ross is a village in the Midlands of the state of Tasmania in Australia. On the Macquarie River, Ross is located 78 km south of Launceston and 117 km north of Hobart. The town is listed on the Register of the National Estate and is noted for its historic bridge, original sandstone buildings and convict history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hobart Synagogue</span> Synagogue in Tasmania, Australia

The Hobart Synagogue is a heritage-listed synagogue located in 59 Argyle Street, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. The synagogue is the oldest synagogue building in Australia and is a rare example of the Egyptian Revival style of synagogue architecture. The Egyptian Revival building was constructed in 1845. The trapezoidal shape of the windows and the columns with lotus capitals are characteristic of the Egyptian Revival style. Currently the Hobart Synagogue has regular Orthodox and Progressive services.

James Blackburn was an English civil engineer, surveyor and architect best known for his work in Australia, where he had been transported as a sentence for forgery. According to the Australian Dictionary of Biography, Blackburn "has claims to be considered one of the greatest engineers of his period in Australia, and his architectural achievements established him as Tasmania's most advanced and original architect." He was key to the formation of the Department of Public Works in 1839, serving as one of its core members under Alexander Cheyne.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colony of Tasmania</span> British colony (1856–1901)

The Colony of Tasmania was a British colony that existed on the island of Tasmania from 1856 until 1901, when it federated together with the five other Australian colonies to form the Commonwealth of Australia. The possibility of the colony was established when the Parliament of the United Kingdom passed the Australian Constitutions Act in 1850, granting the right of legislative power to each of the six Australian colonies. The Legislative Council of Van Diemen's Land drafted a new constitution which they passed in 1854, and it was given royal assent by Queen Victoria in 1855. Later in that year the Privy Council approved the colony changing its name from "Van Diemen's Land" to "Tasmania", and in 1856, the newly elected bicameral parliament of Tasmania sat for the first time, establishing Tasmania as a self-governing colony of the British Empire. Tasmania was often referred to as one of the "most British" colonies of the Empire.

Andrew Bent was a printer, publisher and newspaper proprietor, active in Australia. He established the first successful newspaper in Tasmania, was the first Australian newspaperman to print a newspaper free from government control, and the first Australian printer to be imprisoned for libel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Henry Hunter (architect)</span>

Henry Hunter (1832–1892) was a prominent architect and civil servant in Tasmania and Queensland, Australia. He is best known for his work on churches. During his life was also at various times a state magistrate of Tasmania, a member of the Tasmanian State Board of Education, the Hobart Board of Health, a Commissioner for the New Norfolk Insane Asylum and President of the Queensland Institute of Architects.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Mary's Cathedral, Hobart</span> Cathedral in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

St Mary's Cathedral in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Hobart, presently Julian Porteous.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holy Trinity Church, North Hobart</span> Church in Tasmania, Australia

Holy Trinity Church is a historic former Anglican church, now under the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia in North Hobart, Tasmania. The church is notable for its significant heritage value and is home to the oldest peal of bells of its type outside of England.

St Johns Park is a locality in the Hobart suburb of New Town, Tasmania. Buildings including St John's Anglican Church, New Town and a watch-house located on the road leading to the precinct are listed on the Tasmanian Heritage Register.

References

  1. ↑ Brown, G et al. 2007, The Penitentiary Chapel historic site, National Trust of Australia (Tasmania), Kings Meadows, Tasmania.
  2. 1 2 3 "Friends of the Orphan Schools: St John's Park Precinct New Town Tasmania" . Retrieved 2 April 2017.
  3. 1 2 Peck, D. (2015). "New Town's St. John's Anglican Church combines history with modern day services". ABC Radio Hobart. Retrieved 2 April 2017.
  4. ↑ Walters, R 1994, Parish of St. John New Town Tasmania: aspects of history, Parish booklet Unpublished, p. 1-2.
  5. 1 2 O'Neill, C. (2011). "Queen's Orphan Asylum (1833 - 1879)". Find & Connect, Find & Connect Web Resource Project. Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
  6. ↑ Church of St John, New Town 2012, Parish leaflet Unpublished, p. 1.
  7. ↑ "Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2000". Canberra: Australian Government, Department of the Environment and Energy. 2000. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  8. ↑ Maidment, J. (2011). "St John's Anglican Church. St John's Avenue, New Town" . Retrieved 3 April 2017.
  9. ↑ Smith, R 1962, John Lee Archer: Tasmanian architect and engineer, Tasmanian Historical Research Association, Sandy Bay, Tasmania.
  10. ↑ Church of St John, New Town 2012, Parish leaflet Unpublished, p. 10.
  11. ↑ Walters, R 1994, Parish of St. John New Town Tasmania: aspects of history, Parish booklet Unpublished, p. 3-4.
  12. ↑ Church of St John, New Town 2012, Parish leaflet Unpublished, p. 8.
  13. ↑ Walters, R 1994, Parish of St. John New Town Tasmania: aspects of history, Parish booklet Unpublished, p. 5.
  14. ↑ Walters, R 1994, Parish of St. John New Town Tasmania: aspects of history, Parish booklet Unpublished, p. 11.
  15. ↑ Walters, R 1994, Parish of St. John New Town Tasmania: aspects of history, Parish booklet Unpublished, p. 13.
  16. ↑ Whiteley, M. (2016). "St John's Anglican Church & cemetery (site), St Johns Park, New Town". Cemeteries & Churches & Things. Retrieved 6 April 2017.

Further reading

Australian Decorative & Fine Arts Society Inc. 2012, St John's, New Town, Hobart, Diocese of Tasmania: record of church furnishings: 2008 – 2012, Hobart.

Good photographs of St. John's just after its completion, in 1835 can be seen on the frontispiece and on page 43 of Smith, R 1962, John Lee Archer: Tasmanian architect and engineer, Tasmanian Historical Research Association, Sandy Bay, Tasmania.

The church's architect John Lee Archer changed careers, becoming a magistrate in the north west of Tasmania after being retrenched in Hobart in 1838. His map of Stanley in 1843 can be seen in Jones (2015):

Jones, E 2015, Along the terrace: the owners and occupiers of Stanley 1843–1922, Stanley Discovery Museum, Stanley, Tasmania, p. x.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.