Warragul, VIC - St Paul's Anglican (Former)

Denomination: Anglican

Saint: Paul

Address: 96 Victoria Street, Warragul, Victoria, 3820

Architect: Unknown

Traditional Owners: Gunaikurnai people

Last Updated: 27/04/2023

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History and Architecture:

The Church of England held services up till this time in various buildings in the Warragul district, one of which was Spong's Butcher Shop, another was the Atheneum which was the earliest building used as a hall in Warragul. Established in 1879. The first services in the district were conducted by the Reverend P J Smith at Brandy Creek in 1877. Mr Smith was a retired clergyman and had a farm in the area.

The ceremony of consecrating St Paul's took place on Sunday 26 June 1881. The opening services being conducted by his Lordship the Bishop of Melbourne, assisted by the Revs. Percy J. Smith and S. Sandiford and Messrs. Cockerill and Willcox. The building was estimated to hold about 200. The building was built by the contractor, Mr. Jones. In 1883 the church was moved from the corner of Mason and Williams Lane to Victoria Street, close to the rectory; the building was extended at this time.

It soon became apparent that the old church was inadequate, so the guardians started to plan for a new brick building worthy of Warragul. Four acres of land was sold for £450. When two-thirds of the money was raised, tenders were called for. The one from Rose and Wales for £954 was accepted on the 13th July, 1908.

This was later increased when some changes took place over the type of timber to be used. On Wednesday, 29th July, 1908, at 3.00 p.m., the Hon. W. Pearson, was invited to lay the foundation stone which is 27 in. by 171/2 in. with fifty one letters. Mr. and Mrs. Day donated a trowel for this ceremony and Mr. Appleton prepared a scroll. The new church was opened by Bishop Pain on Thursday, 12th November, 1908.

A Foundation stone reads, " To the Glory of God the Jubilee of this church this stone was laid by The Right Rev John McKeneby M.A. Moderator July 1984".

Clergy:

These names are now in the Database and can be searched individually.

Years	Name	Annotation	D.o.B	D.o.D
1879 - 1883	Rev S Sandiford
1883 -	Rev W. J. Smith
1883 - 1884	Rev Mr Coghlan
1884 - 1886	Rev H. P. McFarlane
1886 - 1891	Rev Frederick William Willcox		1859	1905
1891 - 1894	Rev A Allnutt
1894 - 1895	Rev Edward Denton Fethers		1861	1946
1895 - 1898	Rev William Parkes
1898 - 1900	Rev R Buchanan
1900 - 1905	Rev Frank Lynch		1868	1929
1905 -	Rev H P Bryan
1905 -	Rev Alfred Gamble		1867	1960
1905 - 1914	Rev A. L Kent
1914 - 1922	Rev Leonard Maitland Nancarrow		1881	1949
1922 - 1926	Rev P W. Robinson		1889	1952
1926 - 1929	Archdeacon David William Weir		1875	1943
1929 - 1935	Rev Sydney T Ball
1935 - 1946	Rev W. B Clayden
1941 - 1943	Rev Claude Woodhouse	L. T.	1900	1984
1943 - 1950	Canon Albert Ethelbert Clark		1892	1975
1946 - 1950	Rev G W. Edwards
1950 -	Rev N. A. McLean
1950 - 1955	Canon Thomas George Gee		1903	1981
1955 -	Rev A. E. Chamberlain
1955 - 1963	Rev R J. Stockdale
1963 - 1971	Canon Raymond Elver Elliot
1971 -	Rev William I Burchill
1971 -	Rev Edward George Gibson	RD	1935

Organ:

The Pipe Organ was the long time wish of the Saxton Family. When their son, Nigel was killed in a motor accident the gift of $10,000 was made to St. Paul's for this purpose. The Organ came from East Kew Uniting Church and re-sited in St. Paul's by the original makers, George Fincham & Sons, with some additions.

The total price for the whole project was $6,600. The first parts of the instrument were brought to St. Paul's on Wednesday, 1st February, 1978, the second part b on Monday, the 13th February, and the third part on Wednesday, 15th February 1978.

Source:

1. Light and Life, A History of the Anglican Church in Gippsland
2. The First Hundred Years St Paul's Church of England Warragul Centenary 282.9456 TOL
3. Cable Clerical Index.