Bairnsdale, VIC - St John the Baptist Anglican
Year Built: 1884
Denomination: Anglican
Saint: John the Baptist
Address: 9 Francis Street, Bairnsdale, Victoria, 3875
Architect: J. Ibler
Traditional Owners: Gunaikurnai people
Last Updated: 13/11/2023
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History and Architecture:
In May 1866 tenders were called for the erection of a church and the contract was won by Barry and Sons of Sale. The foundation stone was laid by John Davison Smith of "Lindenow" on 9 October 1866. The Church was established in 1867.
A subsequent Church was erected in 1884. The Architect was J. Ibler and the builder was W. J. Yates. This Church is in cruciform with nave, transepts, chancel, vestry and organ chamber. The building is of solid red brick walls, slate roof and the internal ceiling timber is of Californian Redwood.
Clergy:
These names are now in the Database and can be searched individually.
| Years | Name | Annotation | D.o.B | D.o.D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1845 - 1847 | Rev Edward G. Pryce | Locum | ||
| 1848 - | Rev Frabcis Hales | visiting clergy | ||
| 1861 - 1873 | Rev Amos Brazier | 1831 | 1910 | |
| 1873 - 1876 | Rev Matthew Ashe | |||
| 1877 - 1879 | Rev Richard George Burke | |||
| 1879 - 1882 | Rev Ernest W.F. Hartmann | |||
| 1882 - 1886 | Rev William George Hindley | 1853 | 1936 | |
| 1886 - 1900 | Rev Edward Gritton Veal | 1853 | 1946 | |
| 1900 - 1908 | Archdeacon W. Hancock | |||
| 1908 - 1909 | Rev H. B. Begbie | |||
| 1909 - 1924 | Archdeacon Arthur Edwin Fleming Young | 1873 | 1944 | |
| 1924 - 1925 | Rev Leonard Leslie Wenzel | 1885 | 1956 | |
| 1925 - 1936 | Rev James Eakins Stannage | 1887 | 1968 | |
| 1936 - 1946 | Rev J. H. Brown | |||
| 1946 - 1950 | Rev K Brodie | |||
| 1950 - 1961 | Canon G. F.D. Smith | |||
| 1962 - 1968 | Rev K L. McConchie | |||
| 1969 - 1976 | Archdeacon Norman Womersley McDonald | 1998 | ||
| 1976 - 1981 | Canon Arnold Weston | |||
| 1982 - 1984 | Rev Robert McDonald | |||
| 1985 - 1994 | Rev Edward George Gibson | 1935 | ||
| 1995 - 2003 | Rev Graeme Winterton | |||
| 2003 - 2006 | Rev John White | |||
| 2007 - 2009 | Rev Mark Boughey | |||
| 2009 - | Rev Tony Wicking | |||
| 2022 - | Rev Paul Woodcock |
Organ:
A new Organ was installed in 1925 which was built by R. Spurdon Rutt of London and cost over £1,000. The original organ was sold to the soldier settlement community of Poowong South.
Source:
1. Light and Life, A History of the Anglican Church in Gippsland
2. History of St John's Anglican Church Bairnsdale. SLTF 283. 9456 Ad 1 H
3. The Church in the Triangle. A Hisotry of St John the Baptist Bairnsdale. SLT 283.9456 G3594C
4. Cable Clerical Index.