History of St Faith's Montmorency4 p. text and colour photographst faith's montmorency, st margaret's anglican church eltham

St Margaret’s Church of England was officially opened on December 12, 1861. It is the oldest intact church building in Eltham. At the time it was known as Christ Church until its consecration in 1871, when it was completely free of debt (£1,700 for the church and parsonage) despite the district’s poverty. This was largely due to the free labour and materials, including locally made bricks donated by local artisans and others. The church is historically significant because it is the oldest church in the former Shire of Eltham and has associations with the philanthropist and founder of Brighton, Henry Dendy (who donated the land on which the church is built), the architect Nathaniel Billing and the prominent local builder, George Stebbing. The church is architecturally and aesthetically significant because it is constructed in the Gothic Revival style with several stained-glass windows of various dates and is also a very early use of polychromatic brickwork in Victoria. Billing was one of the first Melbourne architects to employ polychromatic brickwork and an important early architect. The rear wall was intended to be temporary. A major feature of the design is the large buttresses with long, steeply graded upper faces. The overall design is well proportioned with the surface brick patterns relieving an otherwise austere design. The church is spiritually and socially significant because it has been an important place of worship for the people of Eltham for almost 150 years. The land on which the buildings stand was donated by Henry Dendy. Dendy arrived in Melbourne in 1841 after purchasing in England eight square miles at Brighton under the system of "special surveys". After this land passed out of his hands, Dendy moved about Victoria, visited England, then returned to settle in Eltham where he purchased a flour mill. Dendy chaired the meeting held in 1860 “for the purpose of devising such means as may be expedient for the establishment of a Church of England in the township of Eltham”. He became chairman and treasurer of the church committee. Unlike the establishment of many early churches in Victoria where a vicar was appointed to a parish and later a permanent church was constructed, the population at Eltham initiated action to build a church. The nearest church at that time was at Heidelberg and the Eltham settlement was part of the parish of St Johns Heidelberg. Isolation and the tedious, time consuming journey between Heidelberg and Eltham resulted in the Eltham community taking its own action. The original vicarage (Dendy House) at the rear of the church is also an important part of the cultural significance of this place because it is connected to the church and the development of the Eltham area. Together, the church and the vicarage are aesthetically significant because they form a significant streetscape feature. The mud-brick community hall designed by Robert Marshall was added in 1978. In 2014 the original temporary rear wall was removed as part of a modern extension designed by Architects Atelier Wagner and constructed by Conrad Construction and Management. Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. National Trust of Australia (Victoria) State significance Victorian Heritage Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p67 St Margaret’s Anglican Church in Pitt Street, Eltham, which officially opened on December 12, 1861, is the oldest intact church building in Eltham.1 With the nearby courthouse and police station, it was one of the first permanent community buildings in the district. The church and vicarage are on the Register of the Heritage Council of Victoria and the National Trust of Australia – Victoria. The church is important as an early example of polychrome brickwork by the notable architect Nathaniel Billings. It is also notable for its historic associations with the early settlement of the Shire of Eltham and its connection with Henry Dendy, Brighton’s founder.2 Henry Dendy, who lived in Eltham much longer than at Brighton, chaired the original meeting which planned the church, and he donated the half-acre (0.2ha) site. Dendy had arrived in Melbourne in 1841 after buying eight square miles (20.7sq km) at Brighton while in England. After this land passed out of his hands, he eventually settled in Eltham where he bought a flour mill, west from the corner of Main Road and Pitt Street (then called Brewery Lane). The vicarage was named Dendy House after him. The Eltham settlers were unusual in initiating the establishment of a church. Usually in Victoria a vicar was appointed to a parish and then a permanent church was constructed. But then, the nearest church was at Heidelberg, which was a tedious and time-consuming journey. St Margaret’s builder was a local, George Stebbing, who also constructed the former Methodist, later Uniting, Church at John Street and the Shillinglaw Cottage near Eltham’s Central Park. It is believed the first Anglican Bishop of Melbourne, Bishop Perry, dedicated the church. After the ceremony he joined in the festivities at the nearby pub and a bill was sent to the parish for teas taken there by the bishop with other participants. The first vicar was the Reverend Robert Mackie from 1864 to1866. St Margaret’s Church was originally called Christ Church until its consecration in 1871, when it was completely free of debt (£1700 pounds for the church and parsonage) despite the district’s poverty. This was largely due to the free labour and materials, including local bricks, donated by local artisans and others. St Margaret’s Church is in the Gothic Revival tradition with a buttressed nave, paired lancet windows, porch and bell-cote. It was the first polychromatic brick church in Australia, using softly contrasting coloured brickwork.3 Billing was one of the first architects to introduce polychrome brickwork into Melbourne. His original drawings for St Margaret’s survive in a folio of his architectural work. However the church’s brickwork is more subdued than in his drawings. About half the windows – those in clear glass with gold borders – are original. The stained glass windows were made much later, but the one behind the altar is thought to be the oldest in the Diamond Valley. It was to be temporary until the congregation could afford to extend the church. In the early 1960s the original cedar pews were replaced by blonde timber pews and the originals were sold to restaurants and to private individuals. Eminent local sculptor Matcham Skipper created a crucifix for the church. A major addition was made in 1978, when the weatherboard hall was replaced by a mud-brick hall. Made of local material, it was designed by local architect and a former shire president Robert Marshall. The mud-brick hall reflects the style of building in Eltham of the late 1970s and for which Eltham is well-known. Perhaps because its earthy tones blend with the surrounding environment, the hall sits well with the church building. St Margaret’s membership has included economist and ABC chairman, Richard Downing; political commentator, diplomat and academic, William Macmahon Ball; Eltham civic leader, Charles Wingrove; artist, Peter Glass; and Eltham’s first postmaster, Frederick Falkiner.This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, eltham, st margaret's anglican church, st margaret's church, st margarets church hall, christ church

St Margaret’s Church of England was officially opened on December 12, 1861. It is the oldest intact church building in Eltham. At the time it was known as Christ Church until its consecration in 1871, when it was completely free of debt (£1,700 for the church and parsonage) despite the district’s poverty. This was largely due to the free labour and materials, including locally made bricks donated by local artisans and others. The church is historically significant because it is the oldest church in the former Shire of Eltham and has associations with the philanthropist and founder of Brighton, Henry Dendy (who donated the land on which the church is built), the architect Nathaniel Billing and the prominent local builder, George Stebbing. The church is architecturally and aesthetically significant because it is constructed in the Gothic Revival style with several stained-glass windows of various dates and is also a very early use of polychromatic brickwork in Victoria. Billing was one of the first Melbourne architects to employ polychromatic brickwork and an important early architect. The rear wall was intended to be temporary. A major feature of the design is the large buttresses with long, steeply graded upper faces. The overall design is well proportioned with the surface brick patterns relieving an otherwise austere design. The church is spiritually and socially significant because it has been an important place of worship for the people of Eltham for almost 150 years. The land on which the buildings stand was donated by Henry Dendy. Dendy arrived in Melbourne in 1841 after purchasing in England eight square miles at Brighton under the system of "special surveys". After this land passed out of his hands, Dendy moved about Victoria, visited England, then returned to settle in Eltham where he purchased a flour mill. Dendy chaired the meeting held in 1860 “for the purpose of devising such means as may be expedient for the establishment of a Church of England in the township of Eltham”. He became chairman and treasurer of the church committee. Unlike the establishment of many early churches in Victoria where a vicar was appointed to a parish and later a permanent church was constructed, the population at Eltham initiated action to build a church. The nearest church at that time was at Heidelberg and the Eltham settlement was part of the parish of St Johns Heidelberg. Isolation and the tedious, time consuming journey between Heidelberg and Eltham resulted in the Eltham community taking its own action. The original vicarage (Dendy House) at the rear of the church is also an important part of the cultural significance of this place because it is connected to the church and the development of the Eltham area. Together, the church and the vicarage are aesthetically significant because they form a significant streetscape feature. The mud-brick community hall designed by Robert Marshall was added in 1978. In 2014 the original temporary rear wall was removed as part of a modern extension designed by Architects Atelier Wagner and constructed by Conrad Construction and Management. Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. National Trust of Australia (Victoria) State significance Victorian Heritage Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p67This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, eltham, st margaret's anglican church, st margaret's church, christ church

Unidentified femalepeter stirling collection, st margaret's anglican church, eltham

Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsFuji 100Neltham, st margaret's anglican church, pitt street

35mm colour positive transparency Mount - Black and Whitest margaret's anglican church, pitt street, eltham

Photocopy of page headed "order of programme" with historical information Photocopy of article "St Margaret's C of E, 95 years" from "The News" 14th December 1956 Photocopy of article "The oldest shire church" from" and "Eltham in old days" by Sarah Dawson both from 100 years of News Special edition August 27, 1997 page 30 Typed recollections from Peter Bassett-Smith, 2001 Invitation, flyer and booklet: Celebration of 150 years for gathered community of St Margaret's 1861-2011 (26 February 2012). Service booklet 10 pages from an unsourced book about the early history of the Church of England in Eltham, including references to the denominational school, naming of the district, church, Henry Dendy, site, W.B. Andrew, building committee, laying of foundation stone, building, opening and dedication, list of vicars to 1960. Other documentsHG Booklet 39 and 190harry gilham collection, st margaret's anglican church, norm williams, peter bassett-smith, doney, organ

Changing streetscapeRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsUnidentified; half-frame numberingchurch, pitt street, st margaret's anglican church

Changing streetscapeRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsUnidentified; half-frame numberingchurch, pitt street, st margaret's anglican church

Born Digitaleltham, st margaret's anglican church, construction, pitt street

Digital scan of photograph - Original Source Copy: St Margaret's Parish Archives. church of england, churches, eltham, st margarets church, mud bricks, robert marshall

Digital scan of photograph - Original Source Copy: St Margaret's Parish Archives. church of england, churches, eltham, st margarets church, william heber green

Digital scan of photograph - Original Source Copy: St Margaret's Parish Archives. church of england, churches, eltham, st margarets church, william heber green

Digital scan of photograph - Original Source Copy: St Margaret's Parish Archives. church of england, churches, eltham, st margarets church

"For very nearly one hundred years, people of Eltham have worshiped at St. Margaret's usually spending a few pleasant minutes after the service chatting with friends. But the percentage of parishoners who attend church regularly and frequently is pitifully low." c.1960Digital scan of photograph - Original Source Copy: St Margaret's Parish Archives. church of england, churches, eltham, st margarets church

"For the children, Sunday School is a happy place. St Margaret's is fortunate to have a group of young men and women parishoners who conduct the school, especially as accommodation is cramped, drab and uncomfortable. Class in picture is conducted in shack from motor car case"Digital scan of photograph - Original Source Copy: St Margaret's Parish Archives. church of england, churches, eltham, st margarets church

Digital scan of photograph - Original Source Copy: St Margaret's Parish Archives. church of england, churches, eltham, st margarets church, buildings, mudbrick

Digital scan of photograph - Original Source Copy: St Margaret's Parish Archives. church of england, churches, eltham, st margarets church

Digital scan of photograph - Original Source Copy: St Margaret's Parish Archives. church of england, churches, eltham, st margarets church

Digital scan of photograph - Original Source Copy: St Margaret's Parish Archives. church of england, churches, eltham, st margarets church, mud brick construction, mudbrick

Digital scan of photograph - Original Source Copy: St Margaret's Parish Archives. church of england, churches, eltham, st margarets church, mud brick construction, mudbrick

Digital scan of photograph - Original Source Copy: St Margaret's Parish Archives. church of england, churches, eltham, st margarets church, mud brick construction, mudbrick

Colour photograph2008, eltham

Colour photographeltham, pitt street, st margarets anglican church

Henry Dendy (1800-1881) was an early settler of Eltham where he operated a flour mill. He donated land for the construction of St Margaret's Anglican Church. EDHS Newsletter No. 168 May 2006 Dendy is best known as the founder of Brighton, but it is not so well known that years later he lived at Eltham for far longer than he lived at Brighton. In 1840 while still in England he bought eight square miles of unspecified land in the Port Phillip District. This entitled him to bring a number of other persons to the colony and in 1841 he arrived at Williamstown in the "York" with his family and 139 others. He took up his land entitlement at what is now Brighton and most of the emigrants settled there. He encountered financial problems and lost his interest in the estate in 1844. He left Brighton in 1847. He successively but not always successfully became a brewer at Geelong, a sheep farmer at Christmas Hills and Upper Moira, a flour miller at Eltham; a sheep farmer again at Werribee and finally a copper miner at Walhalla. Dendy came to Eltham in 1856 after having spent a year in England. The total of the two parcels of land that he bought was about 5 acres (2 hectares) and it included the steam flour mill. . He became prominent in local affairs, serving for a time on the Eltham District Road Board, including one year as President. Dendy' s wife Sarah died at Eltham in 1860 and also in that year he was appointed chairman of a committee to establish a Church of England in Eltham. He donated one of his Pitt Street lots for this purpose and St Margaret's was opened in 1861. In 1867 Dendy sold his mill to W. F. Ford and moved to Werribee and then Walhalla where he remained until his death. He is buried in the Walhalla cemetery. No sign of Dendy's house or mill remain on the Community Centre site but some of the old trees running along the former boundary through the centre of the site could well have been planted in Dendy' s time. Much of this information was obtained from the book ''Henry Dendy and his Emigrants" by L.A. Schumer (Sallas Books 1975). The Society has an extensive file of Dendy information, much of it provided by the late Leslie Schumer. Manilla folder of information. Includes Folder 88 from Harry Gilham Collection which includes EDHS tour notes of St Margaret's Anglican Church, Eltham, 2012, copy of newspaper article, Diamond Valley News, December 15, 1981, copy of newspaper article, The Advertiser, September 2, 1932, photocopy of photograph of graves at Walhalla Cemetery and Warringal Cemetery, photocopies, 6 pages from an unsourced book. henry dendy, st margaret's anglican church, catholic section, eltham cemetery, harry gilham collection, sarah dendy, walhalla cemetery

Photo captions on page: 1. Eltham Methodist Church 2. Eltham Methodist Church 3. St Katherine's Church, St Helena 4. St Margaret's Anglican Church, Elthamst margaret's anglican church, eltham, st katherine's church, st helena, eltham methodist church, peter stirling collection

Newspaper article: Order upsets family, Diamond Valley Leader, 5 October 2005, Helen Fitzpatrick ordered to vacate Nillumbik Council owned property at Alan Marshall Reserve for creation of a park. Newspaper article: Nature calls again for a real blessing, Diamond Valley Leader, 5 October 2005, St Margaret's Anglican Church to hold annual blessing of the animals service. Newspaper article: Family gets council reprieve on house until 2007, Diamond Valley Leader, 12 October 2005, Helen Fitzpatrick permitted to remain at property until 2007.main road, eltham, helen fitzpatrick, anna fitzpatric, molly fitzpatrick, ellen fitzpatrick, alan marshall reserve, bronnie hattam, bill forrest, greg johnson, libby delbridge, st margaret's anglican church eltham, gordon roberts