The Guild of St Stephen is an International Organisation of Altar Servers founded in England in 1904 by Father Hamilton McDonald when he formed a Society of Altar Servers at the Convent of the Sacred Heart in London. In 1934, Pope Pius XI enabled all Guilds of Altar Servers throughout the British Commonwealth to be affiliated with the Archconfraternity at Westminster. The guild was strong in Ballarat Diocese until the 1980s.A bronze medallion altar servers, guild of st stephen, ballarat diocese,

"NEW CROSSLEY CHURCH. BLESSING AND OPENING CEREMONY. A lasting testimony to the faithful generosity of the Catholic community at Crossley was vouchsafed on Sunday last, when the beautiful new church of St. Brigid was formally blessed and opened, in the presence of a particularly large congregation of adherents of the Roman Catholic faith, and many supporters of the doctrines of other churches. The function was further enhanced by the presence of two noted Catholics in Dr. Higgins (Bishop of Ballarat) and Dr. Mannix (Coadjutor Archbishop of Melbourne.) Upon arrival at the church the prelates were received by a guard of honor formed by the members of the H.A.C.B. Society, and were introduced to the members of the local committee. Then his Lordship the Bishop formally blessed the exterior and interior of the building. The building is handsome and commo dious, and one that should suffice for the population of the Crossley district for many years to come. Standing upon the highest point in the vicinity it occupies a commanding position and is a prominent landmark for many miles around. At first it was intended to pull down the old church and erect the new one upon the space occupied by it, but subsequently the land adjoining was purchased, and the sacred edifice built upon it. The style of architecture is a free treatment of the Romanesque. In a short space of time the grounds and walks were transformed by working bees and made to conform to the beauty of the building. The interior is most artistic, and would be difficult to improve upon in elegance of design, while the furnishings are most appropriate, and harmonise excellently with the general scheme of decoration. It seats 400 people and in addition there is a choir gallery with a seating capacity of 60. The church is lighted with leaded Cathedral glass windows, and the front presents a pleasing appearance, the entrance porch being surmounted with a semi-Gothic window. The floor is tiled throughout. The ceilings are semi-circular in form, with beautiful designs worked in fibrous plaster. The brickwork of the structure is faced with cement, and it has a slate roof. It is undoubtedly an addition to the ecclesiastical buildings of the district, and was universally admired. The architect was Mr. A. A. Fritsch, of Melbourne, and the contractors Messrs F. and E. Deague, of North Fitzroy. On the doors being thrown open for the admission of the congregation, the seating accommodation was immediately fully taxed, and the lengthy service and sermon were listened to with the greatest interest and attention. Missa Cantata was sung, the Rev. Father Phelan, Koroit, being the celebrant. The musical arrangements were in the capable hands of Mr. Renwick, of Warrnambool, while Miss Logan presided at the organ. Mrs. Dan. Ryan was the soprano soloist, and sang Gounod's Ave Maria at the offertory very sweetly and expressively. At the consecration Rossi's Tantum Ergo was sung by Messrs Crowley and Renwick; Farmer's Kyrie Gloria and Agnus Dei and Webb's Credo were rendered during mass, and while the collection was being taken additional numbers were sung. The occasional sermon was preached by the Coadjutor Archbishop (Dr. Mannix), who based his remarks upon the Gospel for the day, St. Luke V., verses I to II, dealing with the miraculous draught of fish. On His return from Galilee Christ found that the fishermen had been toiling all night, and had caught nothing. He entered one of the ships, and addressed the multitude on shore. It was a beautiful picture, and no doubt he spoke to them about the kingdom to be established on earth. When He had finished speaking He told the fishermen to launch out into the deep. Peter said " Master, we have fished all night, and have found nothing." Still, they obeyed His command, and the nets were filled almost to breaking point. Having brought their ships to land they left everything and followed Him. In that lesson they had a symbol of God's dealing with men through the church He has established on earth. Their confidence was richly rewarded, and Christ founded His church upon those twelve Apostles. At that time the world was mostly pagan, steeped in iniquity and sin. The chosen people of God worshipped with their lips, but their hearts were far from it. When Christ wanted to estab lish His church on earth, and leave an organisation to carry on the work, did He select the most intellectual, or the most rich or powerful men? Neither did the time seem propitious. He selected twelve men who from a human point of view were quite incapable of accomplishing anything. What happened when the Jews put Him to death? The chosen twelve left Him at the critical hour, and when He came to die on the cross they were not there, but hid themselves from the hate and fury of the Jews. When the Holy Ghost came down upon them and strengthened them they became courageous and went forth at the bidding of their Master to teach all nations. Their success was not confined to the first meet ing after Pentecost, at which they made 5000 converts, but continued until the whole world had been brought into the net. It was surely a consolation to them as well as to him (the preacher), that they came from a land which of all others had been faithful to the teaching of Jesus Christ. The sons and daughters of St. Patrick had taken a great part in bringing men into the meshes of the church. It was due to the nation they belonged to that the church flourished not only in Ireland, but in England, Scotland, Ame rica, and Australia. It may have seemed hard that in the providence of God so many had to leave their homes and find a home in other lands. They had emi grated to the towns of England and Scotland, and had been the means of keeping the Catholic faith living in those places. In the United States and Canada many had made a home for themselves, and were always found faithful to God and to the true church. If to-day the Irish Catholics and Catholics of Irish des cent were taken out of the English and Scotch population there would be little left of the true Church of God. Perhaps they had not the learning of other nations. Certainly they had not the wealth of other nations, and not the power of the sword, but God was with them, and the faith they took from the old land nourished in the distant places. There was a time in Aus tralia when those opposed to God and God's Church thought they could rule Providence and make Australia a Pro testant land. They had lived to see whe ther God or His enemies are the more powerful, and the names of those who tried to stamp out the Catholic religion were forgotten, or only remembered be cause of their persecution. They had lived to see the glorious success which rested upon the Catholic Church in Aus-tralia, which the Irish people had built up stone by stone. Nowhere was it held in higher esteem than in these islands, and the people would always be faithful to God and His church. It was an inspira tion to go into the glorious church opened that day. It stood for loyalty and faith fulness and was a credit and a consola tion to the Bishop and people of the diocese, to the architect, and to the priests and the honest and zealous administrator of the parish. There was hope and an inspiration in that day's celebrations, and surely the Catholic faith would sink deeper and deeper into the people as time went on, and the progress of the last fifty years would be small as compared to the progress of the future. He congratulated the Bishop and priests who had raised that temple, and the people of Crossley upon their generosity and self-sacrifice. He prayed that the blessing of God and St. Brigid would rest upon them, their children, and their children's children. He hoped that not one of those who had received the sacrament at that church would be missing when called before the Judgment Seat, and that all would be counted into the enjoyment of eternal bliss. The Rev. Father Kerin then made a statement of the position of the finances, after which a special col lection was made towards the cost of the building. A list of subscribers of £l and upwards was read, to which Bishop Higgins contributed £250, Rev. Father Kerin £20, and the Coadjutor Archbishop £5. The amount totalled £1245 10s 7d. Pre vious donations totalled £1077 3s, and His Lordship gave an additional £250. An indebtedness of £3974 had been reduced by £1245, leaving a debit balance of £2728. The cost ot the church completed was £6250. They had broken the back of the debt, and were not frightened of it. It was also announced that the beautiful Stations of the Cross, which adorn the walls, had been donated by the following: Mr and Mrs. P. Crowe, Mr. and Mrs. T. Bushell, Mr. and Mrs. P. Gorman, Miss M. Dunne, Mr. Mugavin and Miss Mugavin, Mr. and Mrs. C. Conway, Misses A. and F. Broderick, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Hennessy, Miss K. A. M'Carthy, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Dalton, Mrs. M. J. Greene, Mrs. and Miss K. Dwyer, Mr. and Mrs. John Mugavin, and the Rev. J. J. Manning. The new Estey organ was contributed by the school children, as the result of an enter tainment. Other donors of furnishings, etc., were Mrs. Brown, senr., (Kirkstall), and Mrs. James Maloney (Killarney), and Mrs. and Miss O'Donohue. The vestments were the gifts of Mr. and Mrs. M. Foley, of Killarney. The furnishings, carpeting, etc., of the sanctuary have been carried out by the Crossley Altar Society, of which Mrs. Jno. O'Brien is president, and Miss Mary Ryan secretary. In the course of a brief address Dr. Higgins expressed his deep indebtedness to the Coadjutor Archbishop for coming amongst them at a great sacrifice to assist in the ceremonies. He heartily thanked the people for their unbounded generosity, and congratulated priests and people upon the magnificent results of their efforts. They had an able champion in Dr. Mannix, who since coming amongst them had distinguished himself by his zeal for the church in this new land. He hoped he would be spared for many years to come to use his splendid talents in the service of the church. (Koroit Sentinel and Tower Hill Advocate, Saturday 4 July 1914, page 2)Digital images of the cathedral leadlight windowns in St Brigid's catholic Church, Crossley. st brigid's crossley, st brigid's, catholic church, catholic, church, religion, celebrations, christmas, christmas carols, carols, stained glass, window

This framed document titled "The Victorian Missions to Seamen, St Nicholas Seamen's Church Williamstown" shows a list of donors of significant items to the St Nicholas Missions to Seamen's Church in Williamstown when the new building opened in 1944. The organisation ceased in 1966, and the furnishings were later donated to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village in Warrnambool by the Missions to Seamen Victoria. The transcription of the document is as follows: The Victoria Missions to Seamen, St Nicholas Seamen's Church, Williamstown To the Glory of God List of Gifts Altar - Mrs. and Miss J.R. Schutt Cross - Mrs. R.J. Ewart Chalice and Paten - Mr. and Mrs. Percy Taylor 1 Pair Altar Lights - Mrs. R.J. Ewart 1 Pair Altar Lights - Mrs. M. Jackson Sanctuary Lamp - Miss C. Roberts Rerebos - Miss. M. Breaks, in memoriam Miss. L.A. Breaks Sanctuary Window - Victoria Missions to Seamen Lightkeepers' Auxiliary Missal - Mrs. R.J. Ewart Missal Desk - Mrs. R. Hodgkiss Altar Vases - Mrs. R. Kaybould Bible - Mrs. R.J. Ewart Sanctuary Chairs - Mr. and Mrs. F.H. Twist Credence Table - Mrs. F. Clark Altar Dish – Mrs L. Clark Font - Mr. and Mrs. C.V. Dyble Prayer Desk - H.M.H.S. "Centaur" Reed Organ - "Joy Club for Fighters" Collection Plates - Mr. D. MacKae Hymn Board - St. David's Musical Society, Brighton Pews, Carpet and Hangings - Williamstown Lightkeepers' Auxiliary Bell - Mrs. A.L. Feenes THE MISSIONS TO SEAMEN (Brief History: for more, see our Reg. No. 611, Set of Pews) The Missions to Seamen, an Anglican charity, has served seafarers of the world since 1856 in Great Britain. It symbol is a Flying Angel, inspired by a Bible verse. Today there are centr4es in over 200 ports world-wide where seamen of all backgrounds are offered a warm welcome and provided with a wide range of facilities. In Victoria the orgainsation began in Williamstown in 1857. It was as a Sailors’ Church, also known as ‘Bethel’ or the ‘Floating Church’. Its location was an old hulk floating in Hobson’s Bay, Port of Melbourne. It soon became part of the Missions to Seamen, Victoria. In the year 2000 the organisation, now named Mission to Seafarers, still operated locally in Melbourne, Portland, Geelong and Hastings. The Ladies’ Harbour Lights Guild was formed in 1906 to support the Missions to Seamen in Melbourne and other centres such as Williamstown. Two of the most significant ladies of the Guild were founder Ethel Augusta Godfrey and foundation member Alice Sibthorpe Tracy (who established a branch of the Guild in Warrnambool in 1920). The Guild continued its work until the 1960s. In 1943 a former Williamstown bank was purchased for the Missions to Seaman Club. The chapel was named St Nicholas’ Seamen’s Church and was supported by the Ladies’ Harbour Lights Guild, the Williamstown Lightkeepers’ Auxiliary and the League of Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Friends. It ceased operation in 1966. A Missions to Seamen Chapel and Recreation Room was a significant feature of ports during the late 1800s and into the 1900s. It seemed appropriate for Flagstaff Hill to include such a representation within the new Maritime Village, so the Melbourne Board of Management of Missions to Seamen Victoria gave its permission on 21st May 1979 for the entire furnishings of the Williamstown chapel to be transferred to Flagstaff Hill. The St Nicholas Seamen’s Church was officially opened on October 11, 1981 and closely resembles the Williamstown chapel. This document is significant through its association with the St Nicholas' Mission to Seamen Church in Williamstown, Melbourne, established in 1857. The document is socially significant as it connects the community of Williamstown with the St Nicholas' Missions to Seamen and represents the importance of the church to the community. The items in our collection from the Missions to Seamen in Williamstown, Victoria, have historical and social significance. They show that people of the 1800s and 1900s cared about the seafarers’ religious, moral, and social welfare, no matter what the religion, social status or nationality. It had its origins in Bristol, England when a Seamen's Mission was formed in 1837. The first Australian branch was started in 1856 by the Rev. Kerr Johnston, a Church of England clergyman, and operated from a hulk moored in Hobson's Bay; later the Mission occupied buildings in Williamstown and Port Melbourne. Document titled "The Victorian Missions to Seamen, St Nicholas Seamen's Church Williamstown". The document is a list of gifts originally given to the St Nicholas Seaman's Church in Williamstown, Victoria. The document is mounted in a decorative wooden frame with glass cover. This is one of the original items in our ‘St Nicholas Seamen's Church Williamstown Collection’.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, framed document, donations to st nicholas seamen's church williamstown, 139 nelson place williamstown, religion, religious service, sailors rest, bethel sailors’ church, bethel floating church, ladies harbour light guild, mission to seafarers, st nicholas seaman’s church williamstown, mission to seamen williamstown, st nicholas seamen’s church flagstaff hill, flying angel club, mrs. and miss j.r. schutt, mrs. r.j. ewart, mr. and mrs. percy taylor, mrs. m. jackson, miss c. roberts, miss. l.a. breaks, miss. m. breaks, victoria missions to seamen lightkeepers' auxiliary, mrs. r. hodgkiss, mrs. r. kaybould, mr. and mrs. f.h. twist, mrs. f. clark, mrs l. clark, mr. and mrs. c.v. dyble, h.m.h.s. "centaur", "joy club for fighters", mr. d. mackae, williamstown lightkeepers' auxiliary, mrs. a.l. feenes, st. david's musical society brighton

Black leather bound board covers. Embossed title and oval logo for publisher on front cover. Orange sketch of altar (?) on back fly leaf, recto. Embossed line borders on both covers.

One of 11 photographs left in the museum for the Society by an anonymous donor.Black & White photograph of inside the Chapel at the Newhaven Boys HomeOn Back: Altar inside Boys Home 1947newhaven boys home, newhaven boys home chapel, phillip island boys home

Copy of a black and white photo of the interior of the Long Gully Methodist Church, decorated for the annual harvest thanksgiving service. The photo shows produce in front of the altar and sheaves of oats/wheat hanging from above the altar. There is also a chandelier, roof support poles, and pews in the photo. A large pipe organ is behind the chandelier.bendigo, history, long gully history group, the long gully history group - interior of long gully methodist church, vahland and getzschmann, annual harvest thanksgiving service, bendigo historical society, a crossley, bendigo advertiser 9/2/01

Photograph shows interior of the church: pews, organ pipes, altar. Location: Alma Rd St Kildablack and white photograph good condition mountedSt Kilda Presbyterian Church. May - With love from Mother Xmas 1922. St Kilda Historical Collection, 150 Carlisle st, St Kilda. Empire Portrait Studio and Sporting Photographer, 133 Chapel st, Balaclava. Ask 4 George. Ring up GEO. WALL. Phone Win 3573. Historical Society of St Kilda PO Box 142, Balaclava 3185.

"Captain Simon Thomas Staughton was the son of Simon Thomas Staughton MLA who had built the mansion Eynesbury on his share of the Exford property inherited from his father Simon Staughton, the original 1840s Werribee River squatter. When the land was sold, Simon’s Exford station extended from Mt Cotterell to the Brisbane Ranges. ST Staughton (senior) was a reputedly the public spirited member of the family in his generation, being a member of the first Roads Board (and Melton Shire President in 1867), a JP, Magistrate and MLA for Bourke from 1883 until his death in 1901, whereupon his son became the MLA for Bourke. Captain ST Staughton had earlier been chosen as a member of a contingent of Victorian Mounted Riflemen sent to England for Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee (1897), and was later a member of King Edward’s coronation escort. In October 1899 he had sailed for South Africa with other Mounted Riflemen from Victorian and NSW to take part in the Boer War. There he was awarded the DSO. He died of peritonitis in 1903, aged 27. He was buried in Boroondara Cemetery after a full military funeral, in which the coffin was borne on a gun carriage drawn by four black horses. All local newspapers reported eloquently on the funeral, and the late Captain’s virtues. The Staughton Memorial Lamp was given to the town by his young widow in 1903. In addition a window in the (former) Christ Church bore the inscription ‘This window is erected by his brother soldiers in loving memory of Captain S Tom Staughton, DSO, ADC, MLA’. The Staughton family had been prominent benefactors of the Church, whose altar rails were also inscribed to the much respected Captain, along with a memorial stone in the new chancel. In the 1970s the memorial was within one of four fenced tree plantations, probably erected and planted in the 1920s or 30s. When High Street and its service roads were redesigned in the 1970s the plantations were completely removed, and the Melton and District Historical Society was successful in having the memorial moved about 50 metres east to its present location". The Weekly Times article about a gift from Tom Staughtonlocal identities

St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and surrounding buildings 1880's. The church was opened in 1873. The construction is of Black Ranges faced with Grampians Freestone. The bell tower is 70 feet high, and the walls are 30 inches thick. The church was opened on 30th March 1873 by the Bishop of Melbourne, the Right Reverend Dr. Goold. The Historical Society have a programme for this opening - tickets for front seats were 10/- each. The sanctuary was added during 1927 as was a white marble altar which was the gift of a parishioner. Much earlier - In 1865 - a wooden Catholic Church was built on this street near the Court House site. The wooden building became too small for the congregation and this church was commenced before the end of 1869. Sepia photograph of St Patrick's Catholic Church and surrounding buildings. The photo also shows mining operations in Stawell with the Grampians in the background c 1880's. Two enlargements of the Catholic Church are taken from the sepia photograph and marked as 105a.C. Herbert. Photo. Copyright Registered Stawell. on the back is written "Stawell from Big Hill c 1880" stawell, panorama, mining