The Early Days of St.Andrew’s

Since 1913 the Parish of St. Andrew in Aberfeldie has been a work in progress.

Its development can be traced from 13th May 1913 when the Diocesan authorities at that time purchased four blocks of land that was little more than dusty farmland on the outer Western edges of the suburbs of Essendon, Moonee Ponds, and Ascot Vale.

Finally, in 1914 a meeting was called by St. Thomas’s Revd. Roscoe Wilson with the express purpose of forming a parish for the increasing spread of the population north of the Yarra River. Throughout the 1914 -18 War Years, interested people met, played tennis, etc. on the property and contributed financially throughout the war years, raising in excess of 220 pounds towards a permanent place of worship.

The real work of establishing the Parish of St. Andrew began in May of 1923 and on the 14th of June 1923 the Ven. W.G Hindley presided over a meeting of interested people at Aberfeldie Bowling Club.

In attendance were: Mesdames J.T. Milne, W. Rennie & S. Shields, and Messers. G.F. Doyle, J.R. Farrant, W.A. Johnson, W.D. Loughlin, J. Watt, G.R. Wilson, and B.F. Carter who formed the Church Building Committee.

On the 12th of July 1923, the Evangelical Hall in Mount Alexander Road (previously owned by C.M.S. and recently purchased by the Anglican Church for221pounds and 13 shillings) was moved to the site in St. Kinnord Street by the McLellan brothers at a cost of 105 pounds using a horse-drawn jinker. It came complete with everything including prayer books Can you imagine the sight of 169 people arriving at the church on 13th September 1923 for the opening of the Hall and the Induction of the Vicar.

Then on Sunday 16th Sept 1923 worship services were held at 11 a.m., 3 p.m. (with emphasis on the children of the new parish – presumed to be the beginning of the Sunday school) & 7 p.m. the Rev. J Carrington formerly Canon of All Saints Pro-Cathedral Bendigo and Rector of Daylesford beganhis duties as the first Priest of St. Andrew’s.

Tenders were finally called for the erection of a more permanent building in October 1925. Consequently, the Foundation Stone was laid on the 15thMay 1926 by Archbishop Lees.At that time, it was estimated that the new church would cost the parish 3,100 pounds to build.

Number 9 St. Kinnord Streetwas purchased to be used as the Vicarageby Rev. Carrington and this was later rebought from him by the Vestry. The Vicarage was dedicated on 17th May 1924. By 1943 the debt on the Vicarage was liquidated.

The congregation continued to grow and by 1926 a Girls’ Club (led by Vicar’s wife), Mothers’ Union, Ladies Guild, Tennis Club & Cricket Club were in all in operation.

1927 & 1928 saw the Old Hall used for Aberfeldie Primary School classes as the school numbers were rising rapidly.

By 1928 the Sunday school boasted over 100 pupils.Girl Guides, League of Helpers (young girls who worked for the Mission of St. James and St. John), C.E.B. S were begun and the first of many Parish Concerts was held. On December 11th 1928, two one act plays were performed

A Parish Council was formed on 31st March 1930 to coordinate Parish activities.

To sum up the early years of St. Andrew’s, arguably the most noteable pre-war developments were:Kindergarten Mothers’ Club, Brownies Organisation, Fellowship of Marriage, Girls’ Gymnasium

The War Years saw further developments occur in the parish. On 9th July 1940 the League of Soldiers’ Friends was formed. It is worthy of note that 114 enlistments hailed from our Parish, three of whom were women. Nine paid the Supreme Sacrifice – M. Barbour, A. J. Brady, W. A. Davis, D. Ferguson, N. Lee, D. Tointon, C. Trotman, F. Wapling and L. Wapling. Mrs. J Brady, mother of 2 sons who fought with the R.A.A.F. was the key worker in this group and she was ably supported by many loyal workers in the Parish.

Early in 1946, the first steps were taken towards obtaining additional building accommodation for the Parish resulting in the establishment of our Memorial Hall so named in honour of our Service personnel.

By 1948 there were 14 clubs and Societies functioning, all signs of a healthy and growing parish.

The Years From 1948 to 1973 and beyond………

In 1951 the church building was finally consecrated and this took place on our anniversary day, Sunday 16th of September, with Archbishop Booth officiating at both the Consecration and the Confirmation which followed.

1953 saw the first of the four side memorial windows. The windows are of matching design incorporating traditional Christian symbols and all enhance the interior of the church.

The foundation stone for the new vicarage was laid on the 10th of March 1956 by the Archbishop of Melbourne, Rev. J. J. Booth. The existing Vicarage at 9 St. Kinnord Street was to be sold and the money was put towards the cost of the new building. The site next to the church was purchased for 1,100 pounds and the Vicarage was to cost 7,192 pounds

In 1956 the new Vicarage was begun andin 1968 an extra room was added to increase the number of bedrooms to meet diocesan standards of a four-bedroom establishment with separate study area. The foundation stone of the new Vicarage was laid on 10th March by Archbishop Booth. Rev. John Bishop was the first of our prieststo be housed there.

1964 saw the replacement of the old harmonium with a small pipe organ built in London in1910 and restored after its service in Fiji was acquired for 750 pounds. Today, although rarely played, it remains as a reminder of our days when both senior and junior choirs were operating at St. Andrew’s.

Many other changes both inside the building and the addition of several memorial giftshave happened over the years. A separate photographic record of many (if not most) of these articles has been compiled in recent years and is as accurate as the details on the articles themselves state.