Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - National Trust Collection: Churches of Bendigo and Inglewood, Nov 7th 1965
... Anglican church service at White Hills in 1853. The Hamlet of White Hills was surveyed and mapped in 1854 and, by 1863, St Luke’s Church in White Hills was opened on ‘an elevated site’ in a generously sized ‘church reserve’.
St AUGUSTINE'S...Anglican church service at White Hills in 1853. The Hamlet of White Hills was surveyed and mapped in 1854 and, by 1863, St Luke’s Church in White Hills was opened on ‘an elevated site’ in a generously sized ‘church reserve’.
St AUGUSTINE'S ...
St LUKES ANGLICAN CHURCH BENDIGO
In 1852, a party of Cornish miners, refusing to give up and having dug, by hand, down nearly 70 feet ‘got their reward. Suddenly, their picks sank into soft pipe-clay, white, satin-smooth and seemingly depthless. The men began tunnelling. Presently, the roof forming above them showered gold at their feet – the secret of Bendigo’s famous White Hills lay revealed.’
In the ‘wild rush’ that followed, when ‘the White Hills yielded enormously and some pretty piles were made’, a young Anglican priest, John Herbert Gregory, held the first Anglican church service at White Hills in 1853. The Hamlet of White Hills was surveyed and mapped in 1854 and, by 1863, St Luke’s Church in White Hills was opened on ‘an elevated site’ in a generously sized ‘church reserve’.
St AUGUSTINE'S CHURCH MYERS FLAT
Early diggers to this area were men named Myers and Nicholls, hence the name - Myers Flat and Myers Creek. 1857 saw the discovery of gold in the area and in less than one month 1000 ounces of gold per week resulted. The number of diggers in the Myers Creek or Burnt Gully totalled 4000 to 5000. Myers Creek consisted of several shops and buildings, two hotels, a race course and a lock-up built of logs.
On November 6th, 1864, the opening of the new church of St Augustine' took place. The first mass was celebrated by the Reverand Dean Hayes, of St Killian's Sandhurst. The church of gothic design was built by a local contractor, and with bricks made from local clay. The church also has a fire place and is widely known as "The church with the Chimney. For many years it was also a Catholic school.
St AUGUSTINE'S CHURCH INGLEWOOD
The church features an Early English design from 1864 and Decorated Gothic extensions from 1884.Notable elements include the sanctuary with the Catto Memorial window and interior cusped arcading of the wainscot. Architectural attribution is given to Vahland and Getzschmann for one or both sections.
St JOHNS CHURCH (PRESBYTERIAN) BENDIGO
The church's architect was W C Vahland VIA, and the builder was N Langstaff. It was built in April 1890, and opened in Feb 1891. The tender price was 2,481 pounds. The church style was gothic, built by the Congregational Church to replace an earlier building built in 1858. St Johns bought the church in 1949 and made additions in 1951.
THE SACRED HEART CATHEDRAL BENDIGO
Originally designed in 1895 by Reed, Smart and Tappin of Melbourne, the first stage opened in September 1901; the second stage began in January 1954 and was expected to finish in late 1976. Skilled stonemasons were brought from overseas for the completion. The Exterior built from Geelong sandstone and Harcourt granite, matching the original materials for color consistency.
The cathedral is designed in the early English Gothic style. It Features a tower and spire weighing several thousand tons, with the spire rising 282 ft. from the floor and topped by a 10 ft. cross.Interior. The original stained glass window, made in Birmingham, England, is above the main entrance on the west side. Marble for the floor was imported from Vincenzo and Via Reggio, Italy; Sicilian Pearl marble is used in the four chapels.
Ceilings in the chapels feature Western red cedar and yellow pine timbers.The transept includes Australian blackwood paneling and 12 carved shields representing the apostles. The internal height from floor to ceiling is 80 ft.Artistic Elements. Two large tapestries, specially designed and crafted by Mrs. Carrington, hang in the sanctuary as a symbolic link to Bendigo.
ST PAULS BENDIGO
The nave was built in 1868 and the tower in 1873. The nave is notable for unusual ceiling with metal and timber overlay members. The tower notable for early brick and bold Gothic influenced design.
The church was opened on 12th Nov 1868 and a new chancel sanctuary and Transepts were added on 22 Oct 1927. The architect was Robert A Love.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES IN BENDIGO
Three main Congregational church buildings existed in Bendigo: at the corner of Forest and Mackenzie Streets (the original site), on Quarry Hill (corner of Russell and Gladstone Streets), and on Calvin Street (later the Lutheran Church).
The Calvin Street church was named in honor of John Calvin, a notable figure who lived in the area. In June 1858, 1.5 acres of land were purchased at the Forest and Mackenzie Streets corner for £1200.The first church was built on this site in November 1858 and later enlarged in May 1867 to seat 500 people. A prefabricated parsonage stood nearby until about 1920, serving as a caretaker's cottage for several years.
In 1890, foundation stones for a new church designed by W.C. Vahland were laid, featuring a tall tower and two gable crossings (reduced from three to save costs). The new church opened on February 26, 1890, costing £2483. The contractor was N. Longstaff. Some architectural elements, such as the chancel, were added later when St. John's Presbyterian took over the building.
Congregational attendance declined, leading to the purchase and alteration of a brick school complex in Olinda Street to serve as their headquarters.The timber church on Russell Street and the Calvin Street property were sold.The valuable Forest Street property was eventually sold to a London sect and later became an investment for the Methodist Church.Historical information on seven denominational churches in Bendigo and Inglewood.
This item contains the following items:
3084.36a Black and white photo of St Lukes Bendigo Church of England, Napier Street, White Hills.
3084.36b St Augustine's Church Myers Flat 100 years newsletter 1965. The newsletter's purpose is for a Commemorative afternoon mass in memory of the pioneers of Myers Flat and district.Celebration of the 101st anniversary of the first mass at St. Augustine's Church; on Sunday, November 7th, 1965, at 2:00 PM.Location: St. Augustine's Church, Myers Flat. The invitation is extended to the recipient and their friends. This invitation serves both as a memorial and a community gathering to honour local history. Also included is some hand-written history notes of the church - See the notes in the Historical Section above.
3084.36c This document is a formal letter dated 9th November 1970 from the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) to Bishop Bernard Stewart. St. Augustine's Church in Bendigo has been awarded a "D" classification by the National Trust's expert committee. The church is now officially "recorded" by the National Trust. The letter is addressed to Bishop Bernard Stewart, with copies sent to Father Louis McDonnell (Eaglehawk), A. J. Watts (Town Clerk, Bendigo), and Mrs. R. R. Adams (Secretary, Central Victorian Branch).
3084.36d This document is a formal letter from the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) to Miss L. Doble, Registrar of the Bendigo Church of England Diocese, dated March 20, 1973. St. Augustine's Church of England in Inglewood has been officially placed on the National Trust's Classified List. This classification recognizes the church as essential to Australia's heritage and emphasizes its preservation. The church features an Early English design from 1864 and Decorated Gothic extensions from 1884.Notable elements include the sanctuary with the Catto Memorial window and interior cusped arcading of the wainscot. Architectural attribution is given to Vahland and Getzschmann for one or both sections. The church is about to celebrate the centenary of its consecration on May 13, with the Archbishop expected to attend.
3084.36e This document is a survey form used by the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) to collect detailed information about St Augustine's Church at Myers Flat. It records the original purpose, present use, and current name of the building.Requires a precise address or location description for site visits.It captures special features or points of interest not visible in photographs. It documents the present owner and occupant, including their addresses, the date of initial construction and supporting evidence for that date.
3084.36f Handwritten letter re history of St Johns Presbyterian Church Bendigo, 13th October 1980 - author unknown
3084.36g Typed notes - "Interesting information on the Sacred Heart Cathedral Bendigo", and hand-written notes on St Pauls Cathedral.
3084.36h Two pages of typed notes. Three main Congregational church buildings existed in Bendigo: at the corner of Forest and Mackenzie Streets (the original site), on Quarry Hill (corner of Russell and Gladstone Streets), and on Calvin Street (later the Lutheran Church).
3084.36i Hand-written notes on St Pauls Cathedral.history, church, national trust bendigo collection, sacred heart cathedral bendigo, st augustine's church myers flat, st pauls church bendigo, st johns presbyterian church bendigo, congregational church bendigo
Surrey Hills Historical Society Collection
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Sunshine and District Historical Society Incorporated