Religion in Boroondara
The WESLEYANS, as usual, were first in the field. The population was then very small and very scattered. The first preaching was on Mr. Smith’s ground, not far from the present Fletcher’s Hotel, though more towards Gardiner’s Creek. This was in 1848. It was in a wattle and dab room, occupied during the week «28» as a small private school. The Government having granted two acres at Hawthorne to the body, a wooden chapel was erected thereon in 1853. The services were not long continued.
A flourishing Wesleyan Society, with a large Sabbath School, exists near the Red Gum Flat, east of Upper Hawthorne. The first preaching in 1853 was under a tree. In three months a tent was obtained, and used for eighteen months. Through the activity of Mr. Chambers and others funds were obtained for a brick building on the hill, which. was opened in August, 1855. The land and chapel cost £430, which is all paid. It is gratifying to notice the heartiness of the humble worshippers in this outpost of Methodism.
The WESLEYAN ASSOCIATION were next in the order of time. Mr. Morgan, of Kew, opened his house for worship in January, 1853. The preacher on the occasion was the distinguished and eloquent temperance advocate, Mrs. Thomas. For a long time only afternoon service was held. Subsequently land was purchased and a chapel erected at Kew, at a total cost of £360. The room was opened, free of debt, in September, 1857.
A BAPTIST friend, Mr. Joseph Foy, most laudably commenced Sabbath morning and evening service at his house in the then wild bush, south of Cotham Road, in March, 1853. No place of worship existed within two miles of it. The form of service was a Prayer Meeting, followed by an address from Mr. Foy; who, without much literary ability, had a fluency of speech, and an honest desire to do good to his neighbours. A Baptist Chapel was opened in the Cotham Road in September, 1864. Its neat appearance, surrounded by wattles, is attractive to the passer by.
A Baptist Chapel, supplied first by Mr. Collings and then by Melbourne friends, has existed at Upper Hawthorne for above four years. It was originally a «29» private wooden dwelling. The residence of Gavan Duffy, Esq., M.L.A., is opposite to it. We had the pleasure there of listening to an eloquent appeal upon temperance from David Blair, Esq.
The INDEPENDENTS of Kew were originally represented by Messrs. French and Day. Desirous of establishing a congregational cause, they wisely appealed to their rich brethren in Melbourne, and found liberal assistance from Messrs. G. Annand, R. Smith and others of the Collins Street Church. A brick chapel was opened in April, 1854, by the Rev. J. Morrison and by the Rev. E. Day, now pastor at Castlemaine. Well do we remember the forest of' trees, and dense under wood of wattles, through which we passed to reach this sanctuary in the wilds.
Dependent upon occasional preaching helps, the friends at last secured the alternate ministrations of the Rev. John Allen and Mr. George Bell for a lengthened period. The free-will offerings of these gentlemen were duly appreciated by a people who benefitted by their instruction. A church of eight members was organized by the Rev. R. Fletcher, Rev. T. Odell, and the Rev. J. L. Poore, in February, 1850. About Christmas, 1856, Richard Connebee, Esq., who had become a resident at Kew, was requested to preach. The church and congregation were so struck with the manifest superiority of style and matter in his discourses, and their hearts were so impressed by the fervour of his appeals, that they constrained him to assume the regular occupancy of the pulpit. Gladly would they have acknowledged him as their pastor had it coincided with his views to have assumed that title.
Increased attendance necessitated a movement for an enlargement of the building. At a meeting addressed by the Rev. Dr. Cairns, who expressed his appreciation of the talents and character of Mr. Connebee, a considerable sum was promised towards improvements. The ladies of the congregation formed them«30»selves into an association, to get up the first Bazaar in Boroondara to raise funds for the object. In the beginning of January, 1858, the chapel was enlarged to twice its original size. A flourishing Sunday School is attached to the church. A Sabbath afternoon service is conducted by some of the friends at the brickfield in the Park Reserve.
Another Independent Chapel has opened by the Rev. R. Fletcher on December 20th, 1857. It is situated in East Boroondara, about four miles from Richmond Bridge. As a structure, it boasts of considerable architectural interest. Its stone walls were raised some three years ago, through the agency of the Rev. J. Dewhurst. Bad times, and the removal of that Minister, led to a suspension of the work. Now, through the zeal of Mr. Kemp, the ,building is completed, and out of debt.
The CHURCH OF ENGLAND, though last upon Boroondara, gave evidence of' their superiority in wealth and influence by the noble and spacious edifice which they have raised on Hawthorne Hill. Undertaken in dear time above four years ago, it progressed very slowly from want of funds and difficulty of procuring artizans«sic». It is true there was not, as in the case of a Melbourne church, a placard posted on the walls of Melbourne, entreating the compassionate aid of those lords of toil, masons and carpenters, and praying that they would, for the love of God and his church, be willing to labour upon the half finished walls. No episcopal petition to the independent sons of labour helped the Hawthorne Church, and it was not till December, 1854, that it was ready for opening. The whole cost of the building was £5,000, now paid. The Rev. W. Wood was appointed the clergyman. Possessed of more than ordinary pulpit capabilities, and of an amiable spirit, he has attracted and secured a large and a most respectable congregation «31».
The ROMAN CATHOLICS met for worship in the little wooden building on the Survey. The congregation now assemble at the Nunawading School-room. Their priest formerly ministered to a district extending from Heidelberg to Dandenong. They are now under the pastoral care of the Rev. James Madden, of Richmond. The new school-room of Hawthorne is expected to be opened for worship shortly
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