Ross TAS - St John's Anglican (Former)
Year Built: 1869
Denomination: Anglican
Saint: John
Address: 11 Church Street, Ross, Tasmania, 7209
Architect: Henry Hunter
Traditional Owners: Palawa people
Last Updated: 22/06/2024
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History and Architecture:
In 1832 both Ross and Campbell Town applied for government help to build a church, and the Rev. William Bedford Jr. was appointed to take charge, building himself a home, Howley Lodge at Campbell Town.
The first plans had been too ambitious and had to be scaled down, Charles Atkinson was allowed a carpenter and two sawyers by the government, but neither Matthew Forster (Controller of Convicts 11,1 Hobart nor the engineer, John Lee Archer, had any confidece in his abilities, especially in his handling of the convicts.
The church was erected on land now part of the burial ground on a hill to the east of the town, however by 1846 movement of the walls required them to be taken down to the foundations.
A description of the current church appeared in the 'Church News' of June, 1869, soon after the building was opened. Freestone from the original building, which was built on the same plan as St. Luke's, Campbell Town, was used in the new church. The north transept was intended for organ and choir. There is a south porch, Bell Tower and a spire rising to 60 feet. The nave measures 48 feet by 24, the chancel 16 by 14, the vestry 10 feet by 1 4 feet.
A Foundation stone reads, " The first church of St John was consecrated by William Grant Broughton Bishop of Australia on May 11th 1838. The present building was consecrated by Charles Bromby Bishop of Tasmania on May 14th 1869".
The Architect was Henry Hunter.
Clergy:
This list may not contain every serving cleric, past or present, for this church.
Further submissions welcomed.
| Years | Name | Annotation | D.o.B | D.o.D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1833 - 1853 | Rev Wm Bedford | |||
| 1850 - 1854 | Rev George Eastman | Clergy to female house of correction | 1818 | 1870 |
| 1854 - 1860 | Rev William Brickwood - more details | 1817 | 1901 | |
| 1860 - | Rev J. Watson | |||
| 1861 - 1862 | Rev R. O.T. Thorpe | 1828 | 1906 | |
| 1864 - 1866 | Rev Kenneth Williams Kirkland | 1839 | 1866 | |
| 1867 - | Rev Marcus Blake Brownrigg | 1835 | 1890 | |
| 1868 - 1878 | Rev John Fletcher | 1817 | 1886 | |
| 1879 - 1888 | Rev Charles Vaughan | From Campbell Town | 1847 | 1918 |
| 1888 - 1903 | Rev Thos McDowell | From Campbell Town | ||
| 1903 - | Rev Cecil Anderson Fawns | Acting | 1864 | 1951 |
| 1904 - | Rev Samuel Ingle | Acting | 1837 | 1907 |
| 1904 - 1907 | Rev S. D. Smith | |||
| 1907 - 1910 | Rev W. Chisholm | |||
| 1910 - 1914 | Rev W. Howell | |||
| 1914 - | Rev Pollard | Acting | ||
| 1914 - 1916 | Rev A. Raymond | |||
| 1917 - 1920 | Rev A. H. McDonald | 1920 | ||
| 1920 - 1922 | Rev T. Smith | |||
| 1922 - 1924 | Rev A. H. Roake | |||
| 1924 - 1937 | Rev Frederick Ambose Carr | 1890 | 1953 | |
| 1938 - 1939 | Rev Eric Norman Gidley | |||
| 1941 - 1951 | Rev Arthur Stanley Drewett | 1883 | 1960 | |
| 1946 - 1949 | Rev Douglas Montague Gasking | 1883 | 1952 | |
| 1954 - 1959 | Rev Cosmo George Engledue Forrest Sale | 1893 | 1961 | |
| 1960 - 1961 | Rev E. A. Wood | |||
| 1962 - 1963 | Rev Lawrence Edward Dando | Acting | 1901 | 1970 |
| 1963 - 1964 | Deacon E George | |||
| 1964 - | Rev Nat Lewis Sonners O.A.M. | |||
| 1971 - 1974 | Rev Henry Dewhurst Ikin | 1904 | 1980 |
Organ:
No information currently available. Submissions welcomed.
Source:
1. A History of the Parish of Ross. 1833 - 1969
2. The Australian Anglican Directory 2000.