St Stephen's Anglican Church

(Lithgow Mercury - 10 March 1903)  "CHURCH OF ENGLAND, PORTLAND. LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE. [from a correspondent] The ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the Church of England, to be known as St. Stephen's, was performed here on Saturday afternoon by Mrs. Abbott, of Wallerawang, in the presence of a large and representative gathering. The Rev. A. R. Maclean, the rector, conducted the service, proceedings commencing with the hymn "The Church's One Foundation," sung by the choir. After the usual ceremony Mrs. Abbott, who was attended by Mrs. Barton, declared the stone well and. truly laid. Mr. Maclean delivered an appropriate address, taking for his text "The Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob." Mrs. Abbott was presented with a beautifully, engraved trowel, the inscription being : ".Presented to Mrs. Abbott, of Wallerawang, on the occasion of the laying of the foundation stone of St. Stephen's Church of England, Portland, 7th March, 1903."

"The stone was inscribed as follows : " Ad majorem del Gloriam. This stone was laid by Mrs. Abbott, of Wallerawang, on the 7th of March, 1903."