Colac, VIC - St John's Anglican
Year Built: 1870
Denomination: Anglican
Saint: John
Address: Corner Hessie & Pollack Streets, Colac, Victoria, 3250
Architect: Henderson and Davidson
Traditional Owners: Eastern Maar people
Last Updated: 18/04/2023
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History and Architecture:
The Church of St John's is a fine brick building set prominently on a busy corner in the midst of the old residential area of the town.
The present building replaces the first church on the site, which was dedicated to St John the Evangelist. The new building constructed from plans prepared by Messrs Henderson and Davidson was opened on 8 May 1870, the Feast of the Nativity of John the Baptist and was consecrated on 18 April 1882. In recognition of the date of its opening, the new church is also dedicated to St John the Baptist.
In the 1950s extensions were made with the addition of a chapel and vestries designed by Louis Williams, the original building and the extension being not only in sympathy but also much alike.
This fine building was extensively refurbished and re-ordered for modern worship on the occasion of its centenary. It continues to be the spiritual home of successive generations of Colac and district Anglicans, along with St Andrew's Alvie, and Christ Church Birregurra.
Clergy:
These names are now in the Database and can be searched individually.
| Years | Name | Annotation | D.o.B | D.o.D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1901 - 1906 | Rev A. E Peacock | |||
| 1901 - 1913 | Rev J. H. McFarlaine | |||
| 1903 - 1904 | Rev William. Osman Jessop | |||
| 1904 - | Reader F. R Lane | |||
| 1906 - 1907 | Rev Henry Elleker Lewin | 1868 | 1946 | |
| 1907 - 1908 | Rev J. N Phillips) | Asst C | ||
| 1927 - 1929 | Rev P. Lynch | |||
| 1929 - 1935 | Rev D K McConchie | |||
| 1935 - 1942 | Rev J. A. McQueen | |||
| 1953 - 1962 | Rev John Lowry Price | |||
| 1960 - 1961 | Rev John Colin Haugh | Asst C | ||
| 1962 - 1973 | Rev Douglas Robert Stewart | |||
| 1967 - 1969 | Rev Edward Robert Steele | Asst C | ||
| 1981 - 1989 | Rev Arthur Mellish Savage | |||
| 1984 - 1986 | Rev N. B. Mitchell | |||
| 1993 - 1996 | Rev J. B. McGlashan | Asst C | ||
| 1995 - | Rev Terrence Francis Gross | Asst C | 1945 | |
| 1996 - 1999 | Rev D H Kirk |
Organ:
The Organ was built c 1909 by Frederick Taylor for residence of Frederick Hamilton Wilson of St Kilda. Installed in 1919 in residence of Charles Stickland of North Fitzroy. Installed in 1924 in present location. It has 3 manuals, 20 speaking stops, 10 couplers, tubular-pneumatic action. Rebuilt in 1971 by Laurie Pipe Organs. 2 manuals, 20 speaking stops, 7 couplers, electro-pneumatic action.
A full description and photos can be seen here.
Source:
1. Cable Clerical Index.
2. Organ Historical Trust of Australia.