Miss Richards with her pupils in front of the Church of England, Gulgong, 1872
Source: State Library of NSW
1870 - [EXTENSION]
The committee of the Church of England at the Gulgong diggings have determined to enlarge the present church, by building an addition of 40 x 15 at right angles on the western end. This extension has been rendered absolutely necessary in order to provide accommodation for the rapidly increasing number of worshippers, as at present there are always as many outside as inside, for whom there is no room.
1871 - [MEETING]
A meeting has been held at Gulgong to consider the propriety of enlarging the Anglican Church, and of arranging for more services. T. A. Browne, Esq. P.M., presided. The meeting was addressed by the Rev. Messrs. Gunther and Tress, and Messrs De Courcy Browne, and Swan, and practical resolutions were adopted.
Source: Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1919) Sat 20 May 1871 Page 6
1871 - [PICKERING]
On Friday evening last there was a complimentary benefit to Mr. James Pickering, who has been connected with the religious services of the Anglican Church in Gulgong from the beginning of the gold-field.
1871 - [MARRIAGES]
[2294] Registrar General's Office, Sydney, 13th November 1871.IT is hereby notified, that in conformity with the provisions of the Acts of Council 19 Victoria Nos. 30 and 34, the undermentioned Officiating Ministers have been registered at this Office, for the celebration of Marriages:—
Church of England (Diocese of Bathurst), The Reverend Thomas Howe Butcher, Gulgong, Mudgee.E. G. WARD, Registrar General.
1875 - Church of England Public Meeting
A meeting of members of the Church members and subscribers to the Building Fund was convened for last evening; and at the appointed time somewhere about two or three and twenty persons were assembled.
T A Browne P M having been requested to take the chair opened the meeting, explained the object of same, which was that the tenders for the new building was higher than anticipated. The Building Committee deemed it advisable to call a meeting of the subscribers to the Fund, and to see what course they should take. Some persons thought a wooden building on the stone foundation would meet the demand of the church at present, while others were of the opinion that a stone or brick structure would be the best.
Mr L S Donaldson said the cost of a stone building with brick openings would be 1500 pounds without any mention being made of the internal fittings which would probably come to something like 150 pounds more. 100 pounds had already been expended in the plans and specifications and the stone foundation, so that it would yet cost 1400 to erect the buildings. A wooden building would cost about 1000 pounds including the fittings or 800 to 850 pounds without fittings. He would not give any opinions at this stage.
Mr Richard Rouse was of opinion that it would be best to erect a wooden building on the stone foundation. He had spoken to an excellent carpenter who erected the Guntawang Church, and he had made a rough estimate of the cost of a building the size required and built in a substantial manner, for 800 pounds, and he should advise that they erect a wooden building in preference to getting themselves into debt, the interest alone of which they would find a very heavy item of expense.
Mr Arrowsmith proposed that a wooden Church be erected in lieu of the stone one that was contemplated. Mr Winter seconded the proposition which was carried unanimously.
The meeting the assumed conversational tone, during which Mr Rouse, in expressing his pleasure at the wise determination the meeting had come to, promised to do all in his power to assist in getting the Church erected and out of debt. Mr Corlette suggested that tenders be called for in the Sydney Herald as well as the local journal. Mr Morris wished to know if anything was gone to be done to the present handsome building in the shape of lining and papering it. Mr Donaldson said he should object to anything of the kind, so far as he was concerned; as it had been decided to erect a wooden church, the probability was that a new building would be ready for use in about four months.
Mr Skoglund proposed that a bazaar should be got up for the purpose of augmenting the funds already to hand.
Mr Rouse objected to a bazaar as all the work devolved upon a few ladies and it was a much harder undertaking than people general thought. At any rate he would advise their trying all other means first, and then if they found they had a couple of hundred pounds a bazaar might be resorted to as a final effort.
Mr Arrowsmith was in favour of a Bruce Auction and concluded his remarks by preposing that a committee be formed for the purpose of getting up such an auction. Mr Morris seconded the motion, carried. A committee formed by those who were present, with the power to add too.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, March 20, 1875
1876 - OPENING OF ST. LUKE'S CHURCH, AT GULGONG
For some years past the members of the English Church have experienced the want of accommodation for church service. The old building in which divine worship was performed was some six years since moved from the Two Mile diggings, twelve miles from here, and after its erection it was found too small for its members. Several additions were made, but the building being old, soon became in so dilapidated a state that its removal and the erection of a new building was determined upon. The old building was cleared away, and two years since the foundation stone of the present building was laid by the Bishop of Bathurst. Since that time the churchwardens have had the use of the Court-house.
By subscriptions the present building was commenced, and as will be seen hereafter, the present debt is £391 14s. 11d., and a large amount of money will still be required to complete the whole. The building has quite an imposing appearance, being erected upon the summit of a small hill on the west side of the town. Its style is Gothic, and it is built of rubble stone with brick facings, the dimensions being 80 feet long by a breadth of 37 feet, 13 feet walls, 29 feet gables, the chancel arch 13 feet the walls and foundation 2 feet wide, and walls 18 inches. The rafters and roof are supported by eight massive pieces of gum timber, 26 feet long, the roof being covered with shingles. There are three entrances, two on the south side and one on the north. There are 11 windows in the main building, and 10 lights in the clerestory. The roof inside is all dressed and stopped chamfered, the flooring throughout being of grooved and tongued boards, and the walls of the building are plastered throughout. The masonry work has been executed by Mr. Charles Wain, and the joinery by Henry Bennett and James Beattie, who have fulfilled their respective contracts to the entire satisfaction of the committee. The cost of the whole, as stated by Mr. Donaldson at the meeting, amounts to £129 11s. 11d.
The committee consists of Messrs. Donald son, Stormer, Tuxford, Walker, Bird, Reid, Arrowsmith, and Laurance, who have been assisted by the Rev. W. S. Newton; every credit is due to them for their perseverance. On Thursday morning, at 11 a.m., the new building was for the first time opened for prayer and thanksgiving, divine service being conducted by the Revs. W. S. Newton, F. W. Stretton, and H. Lubeck, the sermon being preached by the Rev. Canon Smith, who chose for his text the 5th chapter of Psalms, 7th verse. In the evening there was a tea meeting, which was largely attended by members of the churches of all denominations, and, it is estimated that between 500 and 600 sat down to tea. The building was decorated with the flags of all nations, the Union Jack being hoisted at the top of the building. There were six tables ranged the whole length of the building, laden with all the necessaries, and adorned with beautiful flowers. The tables were presided over by Messrs. Walker and Swan, Mrs. J. B. Stormer, Mrs. C. Bird, Mrs. L. S. Donaldson, and, the committee. Ample justice having been done to the good things provided, the tables were cleared, and a public meeting was held, the chair being occupied by Mr. Richard Rouse, M.L.A. The choir consisted of a number of ladies and gentlemen from Mudgee, with the Rev. W. Stretton presiding at the harmonium.
Church of England, 1892
Source: Trove
Source: Trove
Church of England, Gulgong, early 1900s
Source: Flickr
Source and year unknown
St Luke's Architectural drawings
Source: NSW State Library
St Luke's Architectural drawings
