St John's Anglican Church, New Town facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St John's Anglican Church |
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| 42°51′17″S 147°17′50″E / 42.8548°S 147.2971°E | |
| Location | 14 St John's Avenue, New Town, Tasmania |
| Country | Australia |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| History | |
| Founded | 6 January 1834 |
| Consecrated | 29 May 1838 |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | John Lee Archer |
| Architectural type | Gothic Revival |
| Groundbreaking | 1834 |
| Completed | 1835 |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Convict bricks and sandstone ? |
| Administration | |
| Parish | St John's New Town |
| Diocese | Anglican Diocese of Tasmania |
St John's Anglican Church is an Anglican church. It is located in New Town, Tasmania, Australia. This church is special because it has been used continuously since its first service. That first service happened on December 20, 1835.
The church was designed by John Lee Archer. He was a government engineer and architect from Dublin. He arrived in Hobart Town in 1827. The building was constructed by labourers and skilled workers. Many of these workers were convicts living on the island.
Because it is over 180 years old, the church shows us a lot about life. It reflects how Hobart grew in the 1800s and 1900s.
Contents
History of St John's Church
In 1830, there were plans to build an orphanage and a chapel in New Town. This place was also known as the Orphan School. The children living there were often children of convicts or Aboriginal people. Some were also young offenders.
The governor of Tasmania, George Arthur, decided to make the chapel bigger. He wanted it to be a parish church for the whole area. Donations helped pay for the building.
The church was built by convicts. They made the bricks for the walls by hand. They also cut stone for the tower and timber beams from nearby Mount Wellington. The work was finished enough for the first church service. This service took place on December 20, 1835.
The church was designed to serve the Orphan School, convicts, and free settlers. Children sat in one gallery, and convicts in another. Settlers sat in the main part of the church. Barriers and separate doors kept the children from seeing the convicts.
Interesting Features of the Church
The outside and inside of St John's Church are very interesting. They show us a lot about its history and architecture. For example, in the 1850s, the church used whale oil in its lamps. This was a modern way to light buildings back then. Today, whales are protected by Australian law, so this would not be allowed.
The Church's Pipe Organ
The organ in the church has changed over many years. The first organ was built in London by Gray & Davison. It had a special Gothic design. This organ was later sold.
A new organ was built in 1901 by Geo. Fincham & Son from Melbourne. This organ was rebuilt two times, first in 1955 and again in 1977-78. During these rebuilds, new sounds and parts were added to the organ.
Clock and Bell in the Tower
The church has an attractive tower made of stone. It has a special pointed Gothic style. The tower has a clock on all four sides. This clock still chimes the hours. It is even older than the famous Big Ben clock in London!
The clock was made in London in 1818. The church's bell was a special gift from the English king, William IV, in 1834. The original bell was removed in 1916 for safety reasons. It was melted down to make special medallions.
A new bell was put in place in 1929. Many churches in the area helped pay for it. In 1978, the clock's face was restored. It now has its original gold Roman numbers on a black background.
The Pulpit
The pulpit was made from imported cedar wood. It was very tall, about four metres (over 13 feet) high. It originally had three levels. Today, only the top level remains. You can see a drawing of the original pulpit in a church pamphlet.
Pews and Galleries
The first seats, called pews, were also made from imported cedar wood. They were high box-style seats. They faced a central aisle, not the altar. These seats were for people who were not orphans or convicts.
The orphans sat in the North Gallery. Convicts sat in the South Gallery. These areas were very plain and kept separate.
The Narthex Chapel
A small side-chapel is called the Narthex. It was dedicated on April 26, 1987. This chapel remembers Margaret Anne Hemsley. She was a valued member of the church. She helped the community a lot.
Catherine Latta Gallery
There is a room in the church dedicated to Catherine Latta. In this room, you can find documents and photos. They tell the story of the church and its members.
The Graveyard
St John's Church used to have both an Anglican and a Catholic cemetery. Children from the orphan schools were buried here. It was also the cemetery for people living in New Town. In the 1960s, the gravestones were removed. Many were moved to Cornelian Bay cemetery.
Other Anglican Churches in Tasmania
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