Prepared by Harold Davey
August 1996
Click here for a Log of the Memorials and ArchivesAlso Murals in the church hall
EAGLEHAWK PARISH
HISTORY
Extracts Spectator -
29 March 1901
We are fortunate in having secured from Mr Thomas B. Hunt,
now of
Early in 1852, Mr Hunt with his elder brother Mr E. Hooker
came to Eaglehawk to look for gold. Arrived on Saturday, and around camp fire
discussed what they should do on the morrow. "Are we to sit in our tent
all day or what?" said Mr Hunt. "What do you propose?" asked Mr
Hooker. "To hold a service" he replied.
They asked him if he would preach and he said, "Yes, if
they would stand by him and help in the singing."
Next morning they strolled to the head of the gully where
most miners were, took their stand on a convenient spot and started a fine old
Methodist hymn. Diggers ran from all directions, and before the hymn was
finished, a large congregation had gathered together. The usual sequence of a
Methodist service was followed, three hymns, prayers, Bible reading and sermon.
After the service, Mr Hunt announced that as long as he and
his mates remained in Eaglehawk, they would arrange a service every Sunday
morning at 11.
This, we believe, was the first religious service held at
Eaglehawk, and continued, weather permitting, without a break.
On the next Sunday morning when Mr Hunt and his mates were
making ready to begin the service at the head of the gully, a newcomer
introduced himself as a Wesleyan Minister from
To their amazement, he gave out the same hymns, read the
same lesson, and preached the same text as the previous Sunday, for Mr Symons
knew nothing about the particulars of Mr Hunt's service on the Sunday before.
Mr Hunt concludes: Mr Symons received good help from local
preachers, among whom were Brother James Jeffrey from
Mr Hunt's account is confirmed by the Rev. W. L. Blamires in his lecture on "Former Days of Methodism
in the Sandhurst Circuit".
Extract -
On Tuesday 29 September 1863, afternoon the laying of the
foundation stone of a new Wesleyan Church at Eaglehawk was performed according
to previous announcements by Mr W. Simpson J.P. at 5 o'clock about that time
the Rev's G. Daniel, T. James, J. Dare and W.R. Fletcher arrived from Sandhurst
and were met by the Rev. G. L Hall, Mr Simpson and members of the committee and
a considerable gathering of friends.
A sheet of vellum neatly engrossed with the usual
information - the date of the foundation stone laying, of Her Majesty's reign
etc, the name of the Governor of Victoria, President of the Wesleyan
Conference, Chairman of the District Ministers of the Circuit, members of the
Committee etc., was read and duly deposited with copies of the local journals
plan of Sandhurst circuit and other documents in the bottle prepared for their
reception.
The Rev. Daniel in the name of the Committee handed a very
neat silver trowel to Mr Simpson who proceeded to spread the mortar and the
stone having been lowered it was declared duly and well laid. A few words were
addressed by Mr Simpson to the bystanders and then as the weather looked
threatening the ceremony was brought to a close.
The company adjourned to the school room where a very
sumptuous tea had been provided by the ladies of the congregation which was
discussed most heartily by relays of cheerful visitors, the tables being filled
again and again.
As there was no possibility of crowding the numbers who were
in attendance into the old room the Rev. Abernethy very kindly proffered the
use of the Presbyterian church which was greatly
accepted.
By the time of commencing the public meeting the church was
densely crowded numbers being unable to gain admittance.
Mr Simpson presided over the meeting and animated and
instructive addresses were delivered by the Rev. Fletcher, Abernethy, James,
Dare, Daniel, Messrs Fizelle Dowling and Bamford.
A collection was then made and promised for various amounts
given which with the proceeds of the tea amounted to fifty pounds.
The proposed church of which Messrs Vahland
and Getzschumann are the architects and Messrs Tolhurst and Shepherd contractors is to be of red and white
bricks in plain Gothic style.
The front will be entered by two doors and contain a large
handsome three light window surmounted by two neat pinnacles of Portland
cement.
It will be 50 x 30 feet in the clear and will seat over 300
persons.
Eaglehawk Church Buildings:
1852 First religious
service held at the head of Eaglehawk Gully. (Near present Tip)
1853 Tent church
erected there.
1853 Chapel, slab
structure, zinc roof - Sailors Gully.
1854 Congregations
united and built weather board church, mid-way between on the present site -
1863 Foundation stone
of the new Wesleyan church laid, a bottle containing various
information was placed with the stone.
Architects Vahland and Getzachumann. Contractors Rolhurst and Shepherd. Gothic style church 50 ft x
30 ft, seating 300 persons. Windows frosted glass with red and blue side
panels.
1867 Church extended to present dimensions with choir In elevated position behind pulpit and communion rail seating in nave and transepts.
1920's Choir brought
down to floor level - stained glass memorial windows installed small - twelve
pounds ten shillings, large-twenty five pounds.
1965 Worship Centre
with cross was formed and choir transferred to transept.
1986 Church and
Sunday School connected by Foyer .
1991 New Organ, two
manuals and bar pedals purchased $9995.
1992 New floor put
down, carpeted and new seating.
1995 Office
established.
Sunday School:
1854 Sunday
School started.
1860 (approx) The wooden church
moved to a new position to use as Sunday School later, a brick building was
erected.
1872 Due to
increasing numbers the main hall was extended to double its size.
1878 Front section
added to house - Kindergarten and two rooms. Sunday School
attendance Increased to 550 - 600 and in order to cope with Anniversaries a
large permanent platform was erected right across the hall with a gallery on
each side. Two Superintendents with separate staffs conducted the school
alternatively.
1961 Platform
demolished and replaced with Kitchen, meeting room, stage and storage room.
1995 Kitchen
modernised.
Anniversaries:
In early days Anniversaries were very important and much
time was given in preparation. The school was trained to sing special songs
assisted by the Choir and an efficient Orchestra the festivities included
services l l am, 3pm and 7pm.
Concert items included action songs, dialogues etc.
Sunday School Picnic:
A train was hired to transport the people to Marong or
Ravenswood. In later years as cars became available patrons for the trains was
lost and a bus was hired.
Interesting Information:
A legal Agreement between the Church and the Directors of
South Virginia Gold Mining Company dated 15 May 1881, to mine under the church
for 15 years was completed. The mine to pay seven and half percent of all gold
obtained.
This agreement was transferred to the Virginia Gold Mining
Company for a further 15 years the terms payment of thirty pounds and a further
payment of thirty pounds when mined through the ground on or about the depth of
500 feet from the surface.
(Legal document held)
Choir:
Rules, Eaglehawk West Methodist Church Choir held. Adopted by Trustees 10 February 1910.
Murals on Walls in Sunday School:
All paintings by Berne Marcollo, Painter Eaglehawk.
• "In my
hand no price I bring, simply to thy cross I cling".
• Bible Study
and Fellowship Groups.
• "What
will Thou have me to do? For me to live is Christ". Endeavour Society.
• "Daniel
would not defile himself with the King's meat nor with the wine".
Band of Hope.
"That our Sons may be as plants grown
up in their youth". By a Family
who had all boys.
"That our daughters may be as corner stones polished
after the similitude of a palace".
By a Family who had
all daughters.
Library:
Sunday School had a library of
approximately 500 books. (Catalogue held)
Caretaker's Duties: (
Keep clean, scrub floor three times a year, dust every
Saturday, light
up, open church to allow foul air
to escape, attend to drainage. gather rubbish, keep
fences in good order, look after garden, show strangers to seats, collect pew
rents.
Toll
10% of pew rents collected up to two hundred pounds then
15%. (Duties list held)
Amalgamations:
1901 Wesleyan,
Primitive, Bible Christian churches.
1924 St. Mungo
Church.
1967 Nerring or (Woodvale) church.
1977 Eaglehawk East.
1986 California
Hill.
The
