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St. Clement's Church is a historic former Church of England building located at 5958 Great Alpine Road, Eurobin, Alpine Shire, Victoria, Australia. It is listed as a heritage site by the Alpine Shire Council,[1] and is the only remaining community building in Eurobin.[2]
History
editThe construction of the church began on 6 February 1910, and was funded by the local residents at an estimated cost of £200.[3][4] It was dedicated by Bishop Thomas Armstrong (bishop) on 11 March 1910, with the first service held two days later on 13 March 1910 by Reverend James Leslie Watt.[5] and attended by 40 people.[3][4] The church served as a centre for worship and community events until its final service on 21 March 1971, led by Reverend George Austin Rigby and attended by four people.[6]
Following its deconsecration in 1971, the church and its land remained unused until they were privately purchased by Rupert and Josephine Saines in 1982.[7] In 1986, the Saines family built a brick house on the property, located some distance behind the church.[8] Under their care, the church hosted various community gatherings, including weddings, baptisms, and funerals. After Rupert and Josephine passed away, the property was sold and the title transferred to the current owner on 22 February 2021.[9]
In April 2024, restoration efforts began to repair significant wood rot, termite damage, and peeling paint on the building's exterior, aiming to restore the church to its former state while observing the heritage overlay requiring the exterior paint to remain in its original colour.[1]
Architecture and Construction
edit
St. Clement's Church is a small weatherboard building of Gothic architecture style, topped with a tin roof. Architecturally, it is representative of the small, rural churches common throughout Australia in the early 20th century. The church's construction includes Baltic pine for the weatherboards and ceiling, jarrah for the floorboards, cedar for the interior walls, and walnut for the altar rail. While Baltic pine remains accessible, jarrah, cedar, and walnut are now considered rare and costly, adding to the historical value of the building's materials.[10][11] The structure is divided into four main areas: the narthex (entryway), nave, chancel, and vestry, and features distinctive stained glass windows in pink and green.
References
edit- ^ a b Alpine Shire Council - Eurobin - Heritage Citation Report - File No. AS0313, retrieved from https://www.alpineshire.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/Eurobin.pdf
- ^ Robertson, K. (1973). Myrtleford: Gateway to the Alps. Rigby.
- ^ a b *Ovens and Murray Advertiser* (19 March 1910) (Pg 3) "Myrtleford - from our own correspondent"
- ^ a b *Preacher's Record Book* (March 1910) (copy of original record provided by Alpine Anglican Parish)
- ^ *Church of England* (22 January 1954) *The Church of England Messenger* (Pg 14) "Obituary - Canon J. L. Watt"
- ^ *Preacher's Record Book* (March 1971) (copy of original record provided by Alpine Anglican Parish)
- ^ D'Arcy, E. (February 2010) *The Myrtleford Times* "From Crafted Church to Home, Eurobin Landmark to Turn 100"
- ^ Shire of Bright - Project Building Specifications 86/269 - (6 October 1986)
- ^ landata.online (Accessed 14 July 2024) Title History Search Statement "00735307400092024071410510001.pdf"
- ^ Mackintosh, A. (29 October 2021) *ABC News*, "If not native jarrah, where does WA get its hardwood?" Retrieved from [1]
- ^ Vader, J. (1987). *Red Cedar: The Tree of Australia's History*. Reed Books, Sydney, NSW.