A brief history to mark the Centenary of the
CHURCH OF ST. ALBAN
Kingscote
Kangaroo Island
1884-1984
Compiled by Fay Davidson
Published by St. Alban's Church Council
Printed by The Island Press
On August 3rd, 1884, St. Alban's Church, Kingscote, was licensed
by Bishop Kennion of Adelaide. This is a brief story of the past
hundred years of St. Alban's and also records the growth of the
Anglican Church on Kangaroo Island. In fact the story goes back
beyond 1884 to the beginning of official settlement on the Island,
when the Anglican presence was recorded on July 29th, 1836 -
".. the Church of England prayers were read in the morning."
Apart from a visit by a Rev. Howard, who landed at the South Aus.
Company station en route to Holdfast Bay in the Buffalo, twenty
six years go by before there is any reference to attention given
to the spiritual needs of the Island people.
In 1863 the Rev. Charles Marryat, Rector of Port Adelaide, called
at lighthouses and places along the coast holding services and baptising
children. Extracts from the Church Chronicle, March, 1863, tell
of the visit -
"It has long been the desire of the Bishop that a clergyman should
visit Kangaroo Island, where it is understood that there were many
children who were unbaptised, and many families living who had not
seen a minister of religion from the foundation of the colony. Arrangements
were being made for this purpose when the mail service to Nepean
Bay suddenly stopped, and cut off regular communication with the
Island.
I gladly accepted the offer of a passage on board the Yatala in
which members of the Marine Board were about to pay a visit of inspection
to the lighthouses in and at the entrance of Gulf St. Vincent. Besides
the pleasure of seeing a new portion of the colony I should be enabled
to visit those who, from their position, are cut off from many spiritual
advantages."
The Yatala left on Wednesday, March 4th, 1863. A week later, after
called at Troubridge lighthouse and landing stores for the Cape
Borda light at Harvey's Return, they arrived at Kingscote -
"Wednesday, March 11. Landed early to give notice of my arrival
and desire to hold Divine Service. Called on Mr. Reeves, who offered
to collect the inhabitants. At 11 o'clock went ashore and found
a large party of 33 assembled in Mr. Reeves' room. Held Divine Service,
with sermon, and afterwards baptised 12 children out of 17 present.
I afterwards distributed some Testaments, prayer books, hymn books
and tracts … Mr. Reeves spoke of the desirability of obtaining a
grant of land from the Government for a cemetery. The piece of ground
at present used as a burial ground belongs to the company and cannot
be purchased."
The vessel sailed that afternoon and after a night of strong South
Easterly winds, dropped anchor off the Buick home at American River.
They sailed again at 6 p.m. and arrived at Antechamber Bay in the
early hours of Friday morning -
"Friday, March 13. Landed, about 9 a.m., near Thomas' cottage and
windmill and the small Government store on the beach. Mounted the
hill and walked through scrub (sheoak, prickly acacia, mallee, grass
tree, etc.) about five miles to the lighthouse on Cape Willoughby
… Kangaroo Island is as barren and desolate a region as can be imagined.
It is covered almost throughout with a thick scrub, in parts impenetrable,
with the exception of here and there small blocks of open land suitable
for cultivation and sheep runs … The sea is the most suitable means
of communication. A Missionary trip by land would, at present, hardly
be practicable.
The inhabitants number from 150 to 175 and are distributed somewhat
in the following way. Cape Borda 8, Western River 10, Smith's Bay
5, Emu Bay 10, Kingscote 34, Three Well River 10, Newland River
5, American River 10, Hog Bay 20, Antechamber Bay 20, Cape Willoughby
10, Hog Bay River 5, Sheep Station 10, native women 3, total 162."
In 1870, Kangaroo Island was attached to the Parish of Yankalilla
as a Mission District -
"This long-neglected part of the colony has thus been brought within
the occasional reach of religious ordinances by the Rev. C. Morse."
From then on, the Rev. Morse visited the Island several times a
year. The trips were undertaken with a missionary zeal and without
that enthusiasm the difficulties faced servicing his mission district
would have been overwhelming at times.
On a trip to the Island in 1871 the Rev. Morse, who later became
Canon, then Archdeacon, arrived a Cape Jervis to find the boat which
was to take him across Backstairs Passage had been damaged in a
storm -
"The boatman thought that with some piece of tin we might patch
her up so that she would take us across."
When they eventually arrived at American River he was told the
recent heavy rains and floods would make it impossible for him to
travel about the Island on horseback as he had intended. His proposed
trip to Cape Borda was abandoned and another boat was offered to
take him to Kingscote while the first boat underwent further repairs
- more pieces of tin?
Unfavourable weather caused a delay -
"The wind remained contrary until the following Saturday, when
I went with the young Buicks in their boat, landing at Kingscote
early in the afternoon, when I received a very warm welcome. On
the following morning, I held Divine Service. In the afternoon catechised
the Sunday School children (about 20) and was much pleased with
their answers, which showed that both they and their teachers had
been remarkably diligent since my last visit. In the evening I held
service again. I was much struck with the reverent behaviour of
the congregation both old and young repeating the responses with
a heartiness that is sadly lacking in many of our churches on the
main.
On the following morning I went across the Bay of Shoals with Mr.
Clark and baptised his infant. Visited the only other inhabitants
of the North Cape - the Chapmans - returning early in the afternoon.
I examined the children in the Government school and was very much
pleased with both the discipline of the school and its efficiency.
In the evening we had a meeting of the inhabitants to consider the
question of erecting a school and teacher's residence at which it
was resolved unanimously to do so and at once, the only difficulty
being about the site. Most of the settlers wishing it to be built
on a piece of land to be given them, rather than upon Government
property. It was ultimately resolved to ask the S.A. Company for
a small piece of land in a central position. After the meeting the
young people and I went to the piano and practised hymns until it
was time to separate."
The next day the Rev. Morse went by horseback to Cygnet River,
making calls and inspecting the school. After a midday meal with
Mr. & Mrs. Daw he set out for American River on a fresh horse provided
by Mr. Daw. Mr. Daw accompanied him for the track to the River had
been washed out in places by heavy rains and could be dangerous
for anyone not familiar with it. Darkness had fallen by the time
they reached the worst part of the journey and they had difficulty
following the sodden track. It was 10 p.m. by the time they reached
the Buick home.
The next morning, finding repairs to the boat were not finished,
the Rev. Morse crossed the river, borrowed another horse and rode
to Hog Bay. There he baptised an infant, inspected the school and
gave notice of a service he would conduct in a few days on his way
back to Cape Jervis.
On his return journey to American River, hurrying to get through
the scrub before dark, his horse fell -
"… turning a complete somersault and throwing me violently on my
head. I was stunned for a short time, and so was the mare, for she
was rather a wild thing and did not gallop away as I expected she
would have done, but allowed me to catch her."
The next day repairs to the boat were finished and the following
morning he sailed to Hog Bay and conducted the promised service.
Early next morning he left for Cape Jervis and after a 'tedious
passage' arrived mid-afternoon.
"… borrowing a horse I rode home to be in time for my Sunday duty."
These visits by the Rev. Morse continued for about fifteen years.
They were roughly twice a year. For a time they were suspended altogether
when he was in ill health.
The school room spoken of in 1871 took another thirteen years to
eventuate although at the time it was resolved to build it 'at once'.
In 1884, on August 3rd, a newly erected Church of England school
room at Queenscliffe was licensed by Bishop Kennion for Divine Service
and the Administration of the Sacraments. The licensing of this
school room which was designed to be the chancel of the future church
at last gave the people a place of worship.
Extract from The Churchman, August 1884 -
"OPENING OF THE CHURCH SCHOOL ROOM AT QUEENSCLIFFE, KANGAROO ISLAND
- On Trinity VIII this building was formally opened for Divine Service
by the Bishop, assisted by Priest-in-Charge of the Mission (Canon
Morse). There were two celebrations of the Holy Communion, the first
at 8, at which Canon Morse was celebrant, the second after Mattins,
when the Bishop celebrated. After the second lesson, the license
of the building for Divine Service and the Administration of the
Sacraments was read by Mr. Sturcke, the Bishop's registrar. The
Bishop preached a most touching sermon. In the afternoon, the Litany
was read and the Sacrament of Baptism administered. The Bishop gave
an address. At Evensong the building was crowded, the Bishop again
preached. The offertories at all three services were very satisfactory
and the singing exceedingly hearty.
This building is of Kangaroo Island limestone with brick quoins,
the architects Messrs. Henderson and Marryat, the work has been
well carried out by the building Mr. Heller. It is intended to be
the chancel of the future church but to be used at present as a
school room and for secular purposes. regular services will be held
in it on Sunday by lay readers with occasional visits from mission
clergymen. This is the first building erected for church purposes
on Kangaroo Island."
From the Bishop's Home Mission Report, 1889 -
"Queenscliffe Church of England Schoolroom. Total cost three hundred
& sixteen pounds. Subscriptions one hundred & sixteen pounds. Borrowed
from Church of England Endowment Society Incorporated two hundred
pounds. Present liability one hundred & eighty pounds."
The licensing of the school room no doubt helped the decision of
the B.H.M.S. to purchase a cutter. The Attorneys of the Society
for the Promotion of the Gospel, an English outreach mission for
giving assistance in the colonies, helped buy the boat which was
to make travel to the Island easier for clergy and catechists. Even
so visits over the next eight years ranged from quite regular at
times to long periods of very irregular attention.
In 1885 St. Columba's at Penneshaw was licensed and there were
now two Church of England places of worship on the Island.
Early in 1892 the Rev. F. Maguire volunteered to take up mission
work on K.I. At last there was a resident priest, but unfortunately
it was not for long. The Rev. Maguire was summoned back to England
on urgent private business shortly before Christmas of that year
and once again the Island was in spiritual limbo.
The Rev. Maguire's enthusiasm during his short stay brought a favourable
report from Archdeacon Morse -
"… The mission boat has again been put in commission and is found
exceedingly useful enabling the missionary to visit places otherwise
difficult of access. Regular services are held at Penneshaw, Cape
Willoughby, Willson's River, American River, Queenscliffe and Wisanger.
The income is almost a nominal one and Mr. Maguire writes hopefully
and cheerfully about his work which as may be imagined involves
considerable amount of self sacrifice."
The report concludes with the Archdeacon's thanks and gratitude
to the Rev. Maguire -
"… who has devoted himself to this work from love of the work and
a high sense of duty."
After this brief time with a resident priest, the old system of
visiting clergy and catechists returned with the same old fluctuations
between regular and spasmodic visits.
In January 1895, Archdeacon Morse presided at a Vestry meeting
held in the school room. Vestry records at St. Alban's date from
this meeting. An entry in the front of the Vestry Book explains
-
"The vestry book belonging to this mission containing records of
all the services held in which school commencing from the time when
Bishop Kennion opened it has been lost and no trace of it is to
be found."
At this meeting the Archdeacon reported that the two hundred pounds
still owing to the Church of England Endowment Society had been
taken over by the B.H.M.S. at 4% and that the rent money from the
school was to go towards the payment of interest and it was hoped
the congregation "… would use their best endeavours" to reduce liability.
The Vestry Book shows the lay reader Mr. V.H.F. Cook had little
help in the early years and must have found it disheartening at
times. There were just three visits by curates from the B.H.M.S.
in the first year. In October 1895 Mr. Cook records four pence offertory
with the notation, "everybody leaving Kangaroo Island", but by Christmas
things had brightened up with, "the largest congregation, 47". Eight
shillings offertory. Mr. Cook records in April 1897, "I started
Sunday School to help Miss Lindsay".
Kangaroo Island which had been under the auspices of the Bishop's
Home Mission Society was handed over to Canon Samwell at Port Adelaide
in 1898. He set about improving the attention the Island was getting
and in 1899 he reported that the Island had been visited regularly
every six weeks or so with the visit extending over nine days and
that many parts of the Island had received visits from clergy.
"… At the Mission Church at Queenscliffe new Sanctuary hangings
and a new organ have been given. At Wisanger where services are
held at the Farmer's Hall, the Bishop made the first episcopal visit
ever known there and administered confirmation. The Islanders generally
have a very favourable disposition towards the church. It is interesting
and helpful to find a large number of men at church; they form at
least one half of the congregation at each of the three places where
services are held.
Sunday School is held at Penneshaw and Queenscliffe, the latter
being more successful owing to the large number of children living
there. It is the only Sunday School in the place.
The lay reader there Mr. V.H.F. Cook and the Sunday School superintendent
Miss Florance deserve thanks for their labours."
The new organ mentioned in this report was used for the first time
at Harvest Thanksgiving service in January 1899. It is not recorded
what musical instrument, if any, was in the building before. The
organ stimulated interest in the hymns and "splendid hymn practises
every Friday evening" were held for some months.
At the first confirmation at Queenscliffe in March that year, the
Bishop confirmed three candidates, Jean Lindsay, Elizabeth Cook
and Reginald James Cook.
These more regular services by a priest caused a revival in church
interest and attendances were "… very satisfactory. A number of
men have ridden 12 to 15 miles for a service".
In 1900 Canon Samwell reported that clerical visits to Kangaroo
Island had been extended on several occasions to a duration of three
weeks. The longer visits meant remoter areas received more attention.
"… At Queenscliffe the new organ has been paid for and a very comely
Altar, the gift of 3 communicants, has superseded a temporary arrangement
previously used."
In 1901 Archdeacon Samwell resigned and his successor at Port Adelaide
did not wish to retain the care of the Island Mission. It reverted
to the B.H.M.S. who then made efforts to have a resident catechist
with quarterly visits from a clergyman.
Meanwhile the work of the lay preachers is acknowledged in the
1901 B.H.M.S. report -
"Mr. V.H.F. Cook of Queenscliffe and Mr. Turner of Wisanger have
been most assiduous in conducting lay services at these centres
every Sunday."
A gift of a cross from a Mr. Yoeman of Islington is recorded in
1902.
By 1903 the building debt had been reduced to one hundred & forty
three pounds, a reduction of fifty seven pounds in 19 years!
The first two resident catechists Mr. Edgar Archer and Mr. C. Pizey
came in quick succession. Mr. F. Morton arrived in 1904 and his
enthusiasm is reflected in a B.H.M.S. report on his "… very zealous
labours" and through his vigorous influence -
"… An effort is being made to enlarge the church in this latter
place (Kingscote) for the present building is found to be too small
for the congregation. Mrs. and Miss Florance have presented the
Altar cross, candlesticks, vases and an alms basin while Mr. Thorpe
has given curtains and the Organising Chaplain made a present of
the tile linoleum for the Sanctuary. These gifts have all enhanced
the look of the building and made it more church-like."
Mr. Morton's influence produced a record offertory of three pound
ten shillings at the Harvest Service in 1904.
The building was extended 12 metres and in 1905 - from the B.H.M.S.
report -
"… At Kingscote the Church has been dedicated as St. Alban's and
credit is due to all who assisted in every way to accomplish this
most necessary work. The additions cost sixty five pounds, and this
sum has been raised, and there is a little in hand towards the reduction
of the original debt, and a movement is on foot to add to this so
as to materially reduce the sum which is due ...
" Mr. Morton was transferred to the North Yorke Peninsula Mission
and Mr. G. Nicholls continued the work of catechist.
In June 1906 Mr. Cook resigned as lay reader after 11 years and
364 services. It is probably that he was taking the service before
the start of the 1895 Vestry Book. He had been married in the schoolroom
by Archdeacon Bussell in 1894. It was not until 1902 that he had
much relief from the responsibility of regular services and even
then with the arrival of the resident catechist he was still needed
when the catechist was attending other areas. Mr. Cook's entries
in the Vestry Book faithfully record the day, the day in the Church's
calendar, the text of his address and comments on weather extremes
which had a bearing on the attendance and offertory.
A significant acquisition in 1906 was a Font of Angaston marble.
This was dedicated to the memory of the late Archdeacon Morse who
had done so much for the Kangaroo Island Mission over many years
in his efforts to bring spiritual comfort to the Island people under
extremely difficult and at times hazardous conditions.
That year another little milestone was the clearing of the last
of the debt, thirty five pounds, on the original schoolroom.
Services were now being held at Hog Bay, Salt Lagoon, Cuttlefish
Bay, Cape Willoughby, Cygnet River, Kingscote and Wisanger.
The next catechist to arrive was Mr. J. Jepson in 1907 and in 1909
the Rev. W. Higgins, Domestic Chaplain to the Bishop, came to the
Island for three months paving the way for a resident priest, the
Rev. F. Edmond, who arrived in October that year.
In his first report, the Rev. Edmond records visits which include
Cape Borda and Rocky River where a Mr. Duffield promised a site
for a church "… as soon as the population warrants it". In 1910
MacGillivray and Point Marsden are added to the list of places where
services are held.
With the help of a catechist the Rev. Edmond was able to extend
his work even further with visits to D'Estrees Bay, Kiawara, Cape
du Couedic, Snug Cove, Western River and Middle River. He was often
away for several days at a time. Some of the time he travelled on
the mail run.
In a letter to Mrs. Andrew Howard of Cuttlefish Bay in 1959, he
writes of the difficulties of travelling about his work. He recalled
visits to Cape Willoughby and it well illustrates the problems of
those times.
"… In my time the road, if you can call it such, went about as
far as Cuttlefish Bay, after that it was just a track to Cape Willoughby
with Yacca gums in the middle, very difficult to drive a vehicle
with one horse as the horse naturally wanted to keep to one of the
cart wheel tracks. With two horses it was much simpler …
Motors were non-existent for the simple reason that there were
hardly any roads on which they could run. The only other roads from
Penneshaw went as far as American Beach and part of the way to Willson's
River. The remainder were little more than tracks. It took me a
good five hours to get on horseback from Penneshaw to Kingscote.
" On the Bishop's visit in 1910, a Credence Table was dedicated.
Wisanger received its second episcopal visit and was the only outlying
area to have this honour. The third such visit was in 1915.
St. Alban's Church was now on a firm footing and there was a resident
priest until 1922. The priests visited scattered homes baptising
infants or holding a marriage service for it was often easier to
take the church to the people in their homes than for the families
to go to the church.
The priests to follow F. Edmond were R. Campbell, S. Longman and
H. Lewis. A gap of 15 months from 1922 again saw lay readers and
visiting clergy helping out. Mr. Cook came out of retirement as
lay reader for some services.
In 1925 the Rev. N. Crosland was appointed. The need for a Rectory
was becoming an urgent issue and in 1927 a dwelling in Dauncey Street
was purchased for this purpose.
Services were now being held at Shoal Bay, MacGillivray and Cygnet
River. They had ceased at Wisanger where they had been held in the
schoolroom for about forty years.
Priests-in-charge through the late twenties and thirties were A.
Rowe, M. Robinson, W. Kenworthy and H. Overall.
Through the early 1930's the Island population was fairly static
and this is reflected in the growth of St. Alban's but by the late
thirties the number of places receiving regular services had increased
with the inclusion of Pioneer Bend. Hawkes Nest was another area
to have occasional services.
A Ladies Guild was formed in 1938. This was of great assistance
to the Priest-in-Charge, for they then took responsibility for church
cleaning, flowers and other domestic matters. Improvements were
noticed in many areas, although the result of one improvement may
not have had entirely the effect desired. The Rev. H. Hughes, at
Kingscote from 1938-41 recently wrote -
"In my day, seats in St. Alban's were made from unpainted timber.
They were very rough and full of splinters, so we stained them and
painted them with yacca gum dissolved in methylated spirits.
They looked most inviting when we sat on them, but each time we
stood to sing a hymn, a sound like tearing newspaper rent the church!
Our clothing was loath to leave its handsome nest."
A special service, "A Call to Prayer, by King George VI", was held
in Penneshaw District Hall in September 1940, a year after the outbreak
of World War II. The congregation of St. Alban's and districts joined
in this service which brought the people of the Island together
in prayer.
In 1941 the Rev. N. Paynter was appointed to K.I. He was to return,
as Archdeacon of Adelaide, thirty years later to dedicate extensions
to the church of St. Alban.
The Rev. T.P. Wood came out of retirement in 1942 to take charge
of the church on Kangaroo island for the remainder of the war years.
The Rev. and Mrs. Wood had previously retired on a property at MacGillivray.
After the war, the soldier settlement at Parndana was responsible
for a dramatic growth I the Anglican population of the Island. The
first Church of England service at Parndana was held in June 1948.
Such was the enthusiasm of the new settlers that by 1954 a church
was under construction at Parndana and St. Richard's became the
third Anglican Church on the Island.
Bishop's chair was a new piece of furniture for St. Alban's in
1951. This is dedicated to the memory of Rosetta Elizabeth Strawbridge
who was organist for more than forty years.
The Rev. D. Thomas was the first post-war priest and was Priest-in-Charge
from 1946-1953. He was followed by the Rev. R. Nichols.
A Central Finance Committee was formed in 1954. Parish expenses
were then shared by Kingscote, Parndana and Penneshaw at an established
rate. This committee became the Central Parish Council of today.
Because of the war years and the restrictions that flowed over
into the early post-war years, St. Alban's had been at a standstill
with little growth or expansion. In the early 1950's the need for
a Church Hall was apparent, somewhere for Sunday School and for
the parishioners to meet in fellowship.
To build a hall on the church land would clutter the area too much,
and the Bishop was not in favour of this. However, the Church Council
was able to buy an adjoining vacant block.
A cyclone shed frame "40 feet by 20 feet" was purchases, and a
hall was on the way. The building was erected by Mr. John Ransom,
whose wages were seven shillings and sixpence an hour. The hall
was completed in 1955.
The total cost of frame, lining, cladding, construction and purchase
of the block was one thousand and seventy four pounds. A porch was
added later by Mr. N. Ruthven and in recent years this was enlarged
and enclosed by Berden Brothers.
The Ladies Guild had been quietly working over the years providing
help in many ways to St. Alban's. With furnishings and equipment
needed in the new hall, they became even more active. in 1954, they
held a ball with a competition for the "Belle of the Ball". This
became an annual event of some status for the next 13 years, except
for 1960 when a garden fete was held instead. For the three years
from 1964, the Church of England guilds of the Island combined for
a "Bell of Belles" ball later in the year after the mid-year ball.
The first of the "Belle of Belles" was held at Penneshaw, followed
by Parndana and Kingscote in successive years. The church fete has
since become the major fund-raising event.
A new activity for the Guild in 1957 was hospital visiting. This
was undertaken on a regular basis by roster.
The Parish paper, The Compass, was started about this time.
In 1957, through the efforts of the Rev. Nichols, the services
of the Well's Canvas Organisation were engaged to try and put the
Parish on a sound financial footing.
This organisation had a concept of money raising new to the Island
community. It was by means of canvassing people in their homes for
a weekly pledge of money to the church. The target of nine thousand
pounds by March 1957 seemed an ambitious one but Island people responded
and the eleven hundred pounds spent engaging the Well's people was
justified.
In 1957, the idea of selling the Dauncey Street rectory was first
aired. The house had been built in 1913, and was needing increasing
maintenance. It was not until 1961 that there was any positive action,
although the alternatives had been investigated.
St. Alban's had a building fund which stood at eight hundred pounds
and for some of the parishioners this was for a new church. The
Rev. K. Small who envisaged a new rectory to replace the rapidly
deteriorating old one presided at a special Vestry. There were two
options: retain and renovate, or sell.
The decision was to sell. This was promptly done for two thousand
five hundred pounds. A block of land in Osmond Street, a few steps
across the road from the church, was purchased and architect Harold
Briggs was engaged to draw up the plans.
The new Rectory was built at a cost of five thousand seven hundred
pounds by P.W. & D.E. March. It was occupied in January 1963. The
first occupants, the Rev. & Mrs. W. Goodes, appreciated the convenience
of the house and its position.
The early 1960's saw youth activities. A boys' club was formed
and called the Church of England Boys Society, known as CEBS. There
was also a Girls Friendly Society, the GFS.
A new organ was purchased in 1863 and is a memorial to F.R. Hammat.
A choir was formed and at the Christmas service in 1965, the choir
was resplendent in new robes.
The mid-sixties saw a slowly but steadily growing building fund
for a new church. The old church was now inadequate, and a new larger
church was needed. As is the case in such matters, there were different
opinions and ideas on where, when and how this should come about.
A special Vestry in July 1967, decided to make a definite move.
The architects Cheeseman, Doley, Brabham and Neighbour were approached
and Mr. Doley visited Kingscote to inspect the church and grounds.
He advised the building was sound and should not be pulled down.
This was indeed good news, and sketch plans for an extended church
found immediate approval.
The congregation of St. Alban's was then faced with the task of
finding the necessary money. The building fund in April 1967 stood
at $3,528.73, a total of $13,600 was needed. There was now something
definite to work toward and this was done with such enthusiasm that
by late 1969, the way ahead could be seen. There was enough money
to get things under way and, in January 1970, a contract for the
work was let to Mr. E.J. Potter.
It was fortunate there was someone of Mr. Potter's skill and understanding
of stone work to build the extensions. Stone from a nearby demolished
house provided some of the material needed and it is a tribute to
Mr. Potter's craftsmanship that, on completion, the old and new
sections were hardly distinguishable. Mr. Potter was assisted by
his son, Ted junior.
On July 27th, 1970, the Archdeacon of Adelaide, the Venerable
Norman Paynter, dedicated the extensions to St. Alban's. Archdeacon
Paynter had been Priest-in-Charge on Kangaroo Island thirty years
earlier.
A crowd of well over two hundred people attended the dedication
service. The spirit of this happy and important day for St. Alban's
was not dampened by the heavy rain which forced people, who could
not be accommodated in the church, into the Church Hall. With the
help of a public address system, they were able to join in the service.
After the service, a lunch was held in the District Hall, and,
during the speeches, tribute was paid to Priest-in-Charge, the Rev.
John Collas, whose untiring effort and enthusiasm for the project
had been an inspiration to follow.
The effort put in by many people is summed up in this extract from
the program of service for that day -
"… over the last three years, the Parish Council has received large
and small cash donations, gifts of furniture, furnishings, carpet
and communion vessels, and the fact that so much has been raised
indicates the devotion and zeal of the congregation."
On December 6th, the Bishop of Adelaide, Dr. T.T. Reid, consecrated
the extended and refurbished church. This brought to a conclusion
surely the most exciting years so far in the life of St. Alban's.
The church was now a far cry from the spartan little school room
of 1884 - and also it was free of debt! The three stages in the
life of the building can be clearly seen in the ceiling, and, although
others features have blended and mellowed into one gracious building,
the ceiling will remain to remind us of its earlier life. No doubt,
in time, the grooves in the brickwork where the school children
sharpened their slate pencils will also weather and fade.
A small timber building at Karatta was purchased from the Methodists
in 1970 and became the fourth Anglican Church on K.I. Named St.
Ambrose, it had a short life and was sold in 1982.
In the early 1970's, a new sound was heard in St. Alban's when
Fr. Graham Roper introduced Folk Masses. Large congregations enjoyed
and joined in this different form of service, and the rafters resounded
in the excellent acoustics to guitars and a strong drum beat.
Regular events in the life of the Church such as parish picnics,
patronal festivals, youth work and discussion groups continued to
take place.
With the introduction of the Australian form of service, Fr. Lew
Wray urged the congregation to become familiar with and adapt to
the new format. It took a while, for - like hymns - we like the
ones we know!
Another milestone was reached in 1978 when the Church of England
on Kangaroo Island became self supporting and eligible for Parish
status. Fr. alex Bainton was the first Rector of Kangaroo Island.
In 1980 St. Alban's was enhanced with a gift of stained glass windows
from Mr. H.P. Roper as a memorial to his wife Mary. The windows,
which were salvaged from an old church in England, were deciated
at a Patronal Festival in July that year.
A significant event in church life was "Island Reachout '82". this
evolved from an earlier move by Fr. Wray to conduct a mission for
Anglican people under the leadership of Bishop Howell Witt, Through
the K.I. Interchurch Committee, the idea developed further with
Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Uniting Church and Anglican Parishes joining
together for a mission called "Island Reachout '82 - Follow the
Son". In September 1982, Bishop Witt cvarried out a program over
17 days of addresses each day at either Kingscote Parndana or Penneshaw.
Island people responded and were inspired by Bishop Witt's down-to-earth
view of the Christian Faith.
Fr. Bainton left to take up a suburban Parish early in 1983. Fr.
Robert Pearson came to K.I. A regular mid-week communion service
became part of church life.
There have been 21 resident priests since 1909.
Now we come to 1984 - the centenary of St. Alban's Church, Kingscote.
There have been, and still are, many stalwart worshippers, many
who have given much to St. Alban's in time and effort over the years.
The Church Guild worked towards a new organ, a centenary gift,
for the Church. This arrived in time for the celebrations.
A hundred years is a small life span when we read of majestic Cathedrals
and Churches around the world.
We have links with St. Alban's Cathedral in Hertforshire, England,
which was an Abbey from 793 and the bulk of the Church as it is
today was built in 1077. But for St. Alban's on Kangaroo Island,
our centenary is an import and special occasion. A time for thanksgiving
and rejoicing.
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