Triabunna, TAS - St Mary's Anglican

History and Architecture:

The Church of England congregation held early church services at Rostrevor and the old Council Chambers until the energetic Revd Power inspired churchgoers to raise funds and plan a new church. Finished and dedicated in 1883, it was built of cut stone from Okehampton Quarry at a cost of £750. The stone alter, thought to be one of three in Australia and the font of pure white stone came from the same quarry, and were beautifully carved by Mr Richards, a local craftsman. Influenced by the Oxford Movement in England, the stone altar was not approved and considered contrary to Church Law as passed in 1874.

The Administrator Archdeacon Hales sent his objection to the Church Wardens, William Lester, George Mace, and Samuel Salmon. They replied that they regretted his objection to the altar and explained it was much appreciated by the congregation, who shared regret at the prospect of it's removal, but since the altar was a massive structure, and the cost of its removal and the substitution of a wooden one would be very great there were no church funds for such a purpose.