St Thomas' Community Church - Original Church/School in Forefront
St Thomas' Community Church 11-01-2018 - John Conn, Templestowe, Victoria
St Thomas' Community Church 11-01-2018 - John Conn, Templestowe, Victoria

St Thomas' Community Church

Winchelsea, VIC 3241

Church Information

Church Name: St Thomas' Community Church
Church Previous Name: -
Denomination: Anglican Church of Australia
Street Address: 25 Barwon Terrace, Winchelsea VIC 3241, Australia
Suburb: Winchelsea
State: VIC
Postcode: 3241
Foundation Stone Laid: unknown
Foundation Stone Notes: 

No Foundation Stone or Memorial Plaque details are known. Information/photographs are invited.

A plaque on a lectern at the back of the church records: Sunday 6th, February, 2011 - These seats are made from the oak tree that stood here for - many years - They were crafted by Barry Rochow and Michael Richardson - after the timber was milled by Peter Kennedy - They were dedicated by Abp Philip Freier to the memory of - Clare & Denzil Lines - George Alexander McConachy & Family - Cliff Schroeter - And to the - Previous Vicars of St Thomas Church. ( Note:  The lectern was probably made from the same oak tree).

A plaque at the front of the old church/school building records: School During the Week - Sermons on Sunday -  In 1846, Thomas Austin, Prosper Trebeck and Charles Beal helped finance the first Winchelsea Church, now part of the hall. It was also the first school.

Date Opened: 19-01-1860
Date Closed: unknown
Email: admin@churchesaustralia.org

Comments

Although church services were conducted from the 1840s, in the original church/school, the first service in the existing church was held on 19/1/1860.

St Thomas' Church is strongly linked to the Austin Family, early settlors in south western Victoria and great benefactors. This included the establishment of the original church/school, and the founding, in 1882, of what has been developed into the Austin Hospital.

More historical information/photographs of the church/congregation are invited. Photographs uploaded 14/1/2018. 

Last Updated: Sunday 14th January, 2018
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