OPENING OF NEW CLAYTON CHURCH. - Evening Journal (Adelaide, SA : 1869 - 1912) - 18 May 1883 (original) (raw)

On Thursday evening, May 17, the new Clayton

Church, which has been erected in front of the old

one at the top of the Parade at Norwood, was

formally opened for public worship by Mr. S. Davenport.

The foundation-stone was laid in June, 1882,

by Mr. E. T. Smith, and in January last Mr. G. Wood

placed in position the top-stone of the spire, which

is the highest in the colony. The Church as it now

stands consists of a nave 66 feet long by 49 ft. 6 in.

wide, with minister's and deacon's vestries at the

rear, and with a large recess for an organ and choir

at the back of the platform. It is approached in

front by a spacious flight of steps and piazza of three

pointed arches leading to side porches, and there

is also an entrance on the south side, under the

tower, and another on the north by a side porch.

The tower is situated at the south-west corner of

the building, and occupies a position coinciding

very neaily with the centre of the Norwoodparade

and as it rises to a height of 125 feet,

it forms a conspicuous object for a considerable

distance. The building is so arranged tha^ galleries

may, at a future time, be put in; the staircases

to these will rise from the porches to right

and left of the principal entrance. The Church,

without galleries, gives sitting accommodation for

5SO persons, and when the galleries are completed

will accommodate about 300 more. The style of the

building is Early English. The walls are of freestone,

the enrichments and carvings at theprincrpa

entrance being executed in Sydney freestone. Considerable

attention has been given to a system of

veutilation which is well distributed throughout the

Church, and is to a great extent under the control

of the occupants of the several pews, who can regulate

it at pleasure. The cost of the building is

about £5,7S0. The architects were Messrs. Cumming

and Davies, and the builders Messrs. Codd & Rogers.

Before the opening ceremony a short service was

held in the old building. The Rev. T. Hope said he

thought it was only proper that they should

assemble there to bid farewell to a place that had so

long served as their house of worship, and in which

so much blessing had been received. The Rev. J. Y.

Simpson engaged in prayer, and an adjournment

was afterwards made to the front of the new place,

where Mr. Hope, on behalf of the congregation,

requested Mr. Davenport to declare it open. Mr.

Davenport said he felt too unwell to reply, but he

had set on paper a few thoughts, which he handed

to the reporters. These were characteristically

original, well-expressed, and appropriate. Amongst

other things Mr. Davenport contended for Bible reading

A return was then made to the old Church,

where an excellent tea was spread and partaken of

by an exceedingly large number of members of all

denominations. Following this again a public

meeting was held in the new building, over which

the Rev. T. Hope presided. In his opening speech

he referred thaukfully to the fact that he had been

permitted to. assemble in their new house. He

also owed the best thanks to his numerous friends

for coming from other Churches to express

their sympathy with them in the work.

About two years ago they first spoke of building a

new Church, but still the undertaking was thought

by some to be too great. He himself could not see

why they wanted to enlarge it at the time, but his

opinion gradually changed, and finally he saw it

was necessary, for the old place was becoming too

small for the increasing population. People used

to say it was nonsense to enlarge on the old

place, but it became so apparent that it was

necessary. A committee was appointed, and

several dewgns were presented. The one accepted

wiis that of Mr. E. Davis, and this gentlemen,

in conjunction with Mr. Cumming, undertook

the supervision of the work. The money was the

chief thing, and the committee found it a difficult

matter to get this, because their anticipations were

that the building would not prove so expensive,

but wouid cost only about £4,500. However, they

had got £3,000, and there would be a debt of about

the same amount when the building was finished.

They had reason to be thankful to the architects

and contractors for the efficient way iu which they

had carried out the work, the latter firm having

generously deducted £150 from the contract price

Mr. G. WOOD read the balance-sheet, which

showed that the subscriptions to date and an advance

from the Bank of £3,000 amounted to £5,031

Os. 4d. t and tlie sum to be provided was £3,3113s. 9d.

He thought that as a Church they had done well.

He suggested that all the members should pay one

shilling per week, and very soon the balance would

be placed on the right side. The Rev. F. W. Cox

added his congratulations to the congregation upon

their possessing such an elegant Church.

The Rev. W. R. FLETCHER delivered a long

address. He trusted the Bev. Mr. Hope would long

be spared to occnpv the position at their head. He

deemed the Church a handsome addition to the

place. The Hon. R. A. Tarlton, M.L.C., was equally

complimentary, and the proceedings altogether were

very interesting and much enjoyed. The benediction

closed the meeting, which had been enlivened by

music by the choir, two solos being well sung by Mr.

H. P. Macklin and Miss Laycock. Mr. Radford

acted as conductor, and Mr. Fisher officiated at the

S. A. INSTITUTE OF SURVEYORS.— ! snec'al

meeting •Rill take place this evening at th; office of