The following article was originally written and published in 2013 by Charles Body, Editor of the Anglican Historical Society Journal. The article mainly draws from two booklets written by Audrey Farley, a parishioner of All Saints’ Church, Canowindra and a stalwart of the Canowindra Historical Society. The first booklet was printed in 1992 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the opening of the second church following the destruction of the original church in a fire. The second booklet commemorates the 75th anniversary of the opening of the third (and current) church. We have been kindly granted permission for the article to be used on this website. Copyright, however, subsists with the original holders.

Please note that the church is not generally open to the public other than for services. However, All Saints' church is usually the venu for at least one concert during the Canowindra Baroque Music Festival (usually in September).

The article has been updated in 2023 with additional information, references and links.

---

The Beginning
The first available information on the Church of England in Canowindra reported that Bishop William Grant Broughton visited the area in 1845 and stated that “the settlers were so widely separated that the task of collecting them to one point would be hopeless”. However, the Rev. W. Lisle, Rector of Carcoar, was instructed to conduct periodic visits to the scattered settlers of the district.

The First Church
With the formation of a church centre in Cowra, the Canowindra district was regularly visited. It was through the efforts of the Rector of Cowra, Rev'd Henry Jobson (see also here) that a weatherboard church was built at Canowindra in 1878 on the highest point in town, where the parish hall stands today.

The area, which runs north of the Belubula River between Tilga and Rodd Streets, was reserved for Government use and was known as Government Town. The first block of land surveyed by Surveyor Machattie was a land grant for the Church of England and a rectory. The trustees for the Church of England site were Thomas Foote, James Glazier and Thomas Clyburn. This wooden church was also used as a school-room for a short period and rented for one pound per month, subject to the Church’s right to use it out of school hours.

The Second Church
In 1891 the weatherboard church was undergoing repairs and renovations when a fire completely destroyed it. Immediately plans were prepared by A.H. Costin (or Costen), a churchwarden at the time, for the erection of a “handsome brick building, 42ft x 22ft x 30ft high, in Gothic Style”. The building was dedicated by Bishop Charles Camidge, Bishop of Bathurst, on Sunday 31st July 1892 who must have been exhausted after an extremely busy day which included Morning Prayer, a baptism service, a confirmation service, Evening Prayer, and the dedication of the new building.

An unreferenced report a (possibly from "The Canowindra Star"¹) stated that: “His Lordship was met by the Church Officers, and the petition to license the church was read by one of the church wardens, Mr Costin. The ceremony of dedication was then proceeded with … the Bishop preaching an eloquent sermon from the text “But I say unto you, that in this place is One greater than the Temple”. Baptismal service was held at half past two o’clock by the Rev. Canon Geer, at which the rite was administered to four infants. Confirmation service was held at half past three. There were eight candidates. The Bishop delivered an impressive address, both to the candidates and to the congregation, after which the sacramental rite of Confirmation was conferred upon the candidates, each severally. The Bishop in addressing the candidates exhorted them to ever remember the promise made that afternoon. Evening service was held at half-past seven, the Bishop again being the preacher. His Lordship preached an impressive sermon from the text “Then David gave to Solomon, his son, the pattern of the porch”. Throughout the various services suitable hymns, psalms and chants were sung by the choir in a highly creditable manner, and greatly added to the solemnity of the proceedings.”

During subsequent years the priest at Canowindra was certainly kept busy, as by 1902 the Canowindra parish had centres at Gooloogong, Nyrang Creek, Lockwood, Walli, Woodstock and Mt McDonald. By 1907 Bangaroo and Woodlands had been added.

The Third Church
During the 1920s the rector, the Rev. R. Douglas, inspired the parishioners to work towards the goal of a new church building. The efforts were successful and on 14th March 1928 Bishop George Merrick Long, Bishop of Bathurst, laid the foundation stone of the new building. Bishop Horace Crotty dedicated the building the following year, although it was not yet finished. “The Canowindra Star” tells the story of the day.

“A very much emphasised and marked step in the church life of Canowindra and district was undertaken on Wednesday afternoon of this week when His Lordship, the Bishop of Bathurst (Dr Horace Crotty D.D.) dedicated the beautiful edifice of All Saints’ Church of England in the established order of the service of the church. The new House of God was crowded and there were some who were unable to gain admission, demonstrating that the people were aware of the great event that was taking place in their midst, all creeds being represented in the congregation. Entering the building, one is struck by the simplicity yet effective note attained by the use that the building has been erected for. A church can be severe, yet ennobling and welcoming, which is the effect this new church has. It is of modified Gothic architecture with the perpendicular emphasis. The complete building has not yet been supplied – prosperity has to do its share towards this. For the present there is the sacrarium, choir and nave. An organ room has been established, but this at present is being used for robing and vestry purposes. There is a second altar for use on other occasions. The choir stall and screens, with prayer desk incorporated, are very fine. Much taste is shown in the Altar draping and carpeting to the Chancel steps. The architect for the building is Mr Louis Williams of Melbourne. Messrs Bradley and Fallick of Orange being the supervising architects, with Mr A.G. Brown of Young as the builder.”

The onset of the Great Depression, then the Second World War, made it difficult to contemplate completing the building. In 1956 funds were sought with the assistance of the Wells Organisation (a fundraising organisation based in in North America) and the money raised enabled the completion of the War Memorial Chapel, the vestries, tower and the main front wall. However, the church was not cleared of debt until 1969. On 9th November 1969, it was consecrated by Bishop Kenneth Leslie, Bishop of Bathurst. The former church became the parish hall.

Stained Glass Windows
About ten centuries ago stained glass windows were used to educate the people about the stories of the Bible, as well as being works of art. They were not as refined as today’s windows but nevertheless they had a beauty of their own.

The magnificent Ascension window above the altar in All Saints’ sets the scene for the other decorative windows that beautify the church. The Ascension window was placed in the church soon after its completion.

The windows on the western wall were placed there in the 1930s and depict St John, St Luke, Mary and the child Jesus, Dorcas, and Mary Magdalene. The Mary Magdalene window has been accepted as being largely (if not wholly) the work of Christian Waller.

The St Martha and St Cecilia windows were dedicated in 1957 at the completion of the church building. The St Cecilia window was given by parishioners during the lifetime of their devoted organist Emma Robinson in appreciation of her sixty years of service including Sunday School, choir and organist. Sun shining through the western window on a summer’s day is a truly magnificent sight – unfortunately this is normally when the congregation is absent!

On the eastern wall there are some interesting windows. Both the “Gethsemane” (dedicated to the memory of Hugh Archer in 1939³) and the “Jesus among the Doctors” by the noted stained glass artist, Christian Waller, windows (also 1939) did not meet with the approval of the donors as they were seen to be too modern at that time! It is hard to understand how the design of the window by Waller would have been seen to have been too novel. Waller had supplied her design for the window probably several years earlier². The presentation drawing (or a version of it) Waller submitted for approval is held by the Castlemaine Art Museum.

The next two windows (1970) reverted to a more traditional style. They feature “The Good Shepherd” and Holman Hunt’s “Jesus Knocking at the Door”.

The final group of very modern windows (1990) made by Finglinna Studios, Sydney under the supervision of Paddy Robinson, contrast with the others but nevertheless blend in remarkably well. These three "Pellisot" windows are primarily about resurrection and faith, symbolised by the glory of God’s creation.

The Rectory
An extremely generous gift was made to the church through the will of Mr and Mrs Grimshaw in 1906. This was the rectory, a solid double-brick house built by Mr Ruddock and completed in 1903. The first rector to live there was the Rev. R.F. Marchant and according to The Canowindra Star “The Anglican Minister was the only resident clergyman in the town, others being served from Cowra, mostly alternate Sundays.”

The rectory is situated on a large block on the corner of Tilga and Suttor Streets.

Over the decades, especially since 1950, various renovations and improvements have been carried out funded by bequests and donations from the congregation.

Church grounds
The rose garden in the foreground of the church was the inspired idea of the Rev. W.P. Hart in the early 1970s. The ashes of loved ones could be placed beneath a rose in the memorial garden. New roses were planted in 1986 and further plantings have taken place as the need arose. During 1992 trees and shrubs were planted for the beautification of the church and a watering system was supplied in recognition of the centenary of the parish. In 1999 several small trees were planted on the eastern side replacing a row of ornamental plum trees which had been there since the 1950s.

Parish life
There was plenty of activity in the parish in the early years of the twentieth century. The Canowindra Star reported on 21st March 1902 that a general meeting of the parish had decided to raise funds for the construction of a school room. On 3rd April 1903 The Canowindra Star reported that the All Saints’ Guild had two elements – a sewing guild for females and a “Mutual Improvement Society” for males. Unfortunately the rest of the newspaper article has deteriorated with age so we may never know exactly what the Mutual Improvement Society did.

Socials were held each month during the 1930s and 1940s. There would be guessing games, singing and sometimes a small concert. A famous lady opera singer was supposed to arrive at one of these but it turned out to be none other than Percy Archer resplendent in ball gown and wig! His rendition of an aria had to be heard to be believed. Mr Horace Passlow trained young singers for these concerts and they would sing such numbers as “Jesus bids us shine with a pure clear light, like a little candle burning in the night”. Of course the singers were equipped with candles, much to the consternation of the adult audience!

A small platform at one end of the stage was used to perform short plays. An old red curtain attempted to hide the players from the audience. One memorable play about a missionary in India tested the cast’s acting ability, learning such expressions as “Mem Sahib” and bowing appropriately.

Many parishioners have fond memories of the Christmas parties held during the Second World War. The Christmas tree and gifts were a real treat because of the restrictions and the rationing at that time.

The Church of England Boys’ Society was quite a large contingent in the 1940s and to a lesser degree in the 1950s. The Girls’ Friendly Society even had junior and senior clubs which joined together for evening socials. At one time the hall boasted such equipment as a springboard and vaulting horse and so there was great physical prowess displayed in the old parish hall (presumably by members of CEBS and GFS).

The Young Anglican Movement was by far the greatest young people’s club formed in the area, if not the whole of Bathurst Diocese. The organisation grew under the leadership of Canon Harry Thorpe who had been a prisoner of war at Changi Camp. He inspired the young people with his great love of God and love of others. Funds raised by the Young Anglicans helped to build St Michael’s Children’s Home at Bathurst (subsequently sold when needs altered).

Many dances were held in the parish hall, but if you weren’t too careful your heel might get caught in the floor boards with disastrous results!

From the minutes of the Canowindra branch of Anglican Women Australia 1944–1992 we see that year after year the women’s spiritual growth has been enhanced by attending Lenten services, rallies, conferences, world days of prayer and mission lunches. Visiting the hospital, the Moyne aged care centre and the convalescent home, organising garden parties, balls, fetes, flower shows, fashion parades and street stalls, and having guest speakers at meetings have also been an important part of the activities of Anglican Women. Monies raised have been sent to Anglican Board of Missions, the Bible Society, World Vision and other outside causes, as well as supporting the parish. In the 1960s the women were thrilled to have a new kitchen built in the hall replacing a somewhat dilapidated room of corrugated iron, which contained the inevitable copper for the hot water. What a difference the new kitchen made with instant hot water and no need to find someone to chop the wood!

Besides catering for the needs of the various clubs and church socials, the parish hall has at different times been a classroom for the public school next door and a hall for dancing and music classes.

The rector of All Saints’ in 2013, the Rev. Jono Williams, was ordained as an Anglican priest and also a Uniting Church minister. This enables the Anglican and Uniting Church congregations to worship together, using the Anglican and Uniting Church liturgies on alternate Sundays. During the summer months services are held in All Saints’ but in winter services move to the Uniting Church which is smaller and easier to heat.

Music
A robed choir leading the singing for services was the norm for many years. Practice was held every Friday evening. Later, in the 1960s and 1970s a children’s choir was formed and they sang on the fourth Sunday of each month. The girls wore white robes and distinctive gold caps. Of latter years there have been various ladies’ singing groups who capably sing on special occasions.

The magnificent Allen organ was purchased with some of the funds received in a generous bequest from Miss Truscott. The organ was dedicated in 1983. It was being sent to a Sydney church from a firm in Melbourne, and the Canowindra church was offered an inspection of it. As it happened, the Sydney church withdrew their interest. The Canowindra parish was offered a special deal and consequently made the purchase. Just prior to receiving the bequest the parish had commenced Sunday afternoon concerts to raise money for an organ and had $300 in hand. What a blessing!

The lovely piano in the parish hall was a gift from the family of the late Rev. Hugh Davey who died in office at Canowindra.

The Australian Hymn Book was introduced early in the 1980s and a small chorus book New Harvest a little later. This was followed up with another chorus book Songs of Fellowship in the 1990s. It was found necessary to update music from time to time and the parish obtained a copyright licence for using new tunes.

Children and young people’s musical plays were held during the 1990s as well as Christmas pageants with singing and small plays. Drama and puppet plays have been used on many occasions at All Saints’ services and performed by experienced players with excellent effect.

In 2002/03 the parish had the pleasure of a group of students from the NSW Conservatorium of Music present two afternoon concerts.

The “Red Book” case
In Advent 1942 the Bishop of Bathurst, Arnold Wylde, introduced a small red-covered book titled “The Holy Eucharist” and authorised its use in the Bathurst Diocese. It immediately aroused objections by some members of the congregation at Canowindra, because it encouraged rituals which were not the usual custom of the Church of England. The effect of this was felt throughout the Church of England in general and some people left the church at Canowindra while others became more committed. So concerned were several laymen from All Saints’ that in April they filed an objection in the Equity Court alleging that Bishop Wylde was guilty of heresy. However this charge was dropped in 1947. The laymen persisted with charges related to the use of the Red Book and in February 1948 Mr Justice Roper ruled in favour of the laymen. Bishop Wylde appealed to the High Court of Australia. The bench was evenly divided and varied Justice Roper’s ruling by limiting the Court’s injunction to twenty churches in the Bathurst Diocese. The Red Book was withdrawn. The case highlighted a number of needs for the Church of England in Australia at that time, including the need for Prayer Book revision. The Rev. Brian Hughes said: “It seems it was not merely a case about a book, but rather about a Church which struggles to maintain unity without uniformity, a difficulty that is not easily resolved.”

A Sydney Morning Herald writer regarded the whole case as “a storm in a teacup.” He clearly wasn’t an All Saints’ parishioner!

The High Court of Australia judgement delivered in late 1948 by the Chief Justice and three other judges can be found at the High Court website.

In 1998 David Galbraith submitted a study of the case for his PhD thesis - it is a detailed review and can be found on the Austlii site.

---

Canowindra's Rectors (to circa 2012)

Years	Name	Notes	D.o.B	D.o.D
	W. White
1890-1892	Rev Frederick John Thompson		1852	1911
1894-1897	Rev Joseph James Wilson		1866	1934
1899-1901	Ernest Lethbridge	born in India 1860, ordained 1897	1860	1946?
	A.J. Gardiner
1903-1905	Rev Julian Henry Rowsell	Mission Chaplain	1839	1913
1910-1910	Rev Thomas Beresford Farley	Curate	1852	1930
1911-1911	Rev William Clarke Caton	Temp Curate	1878	1965
	R.F. Marchant
	R.Douglas
1924-1927	Rev Frank Weston		1894	1970
1927-1940	Rev Arthur Dean Bromhead	Born at Wingen, NSW died at North Sydney	1883	1952
1941-1947	Rev Rupert Lennox Edwards		1898	1981
1942-1946	Rev John Stanley Richards		1897	1986
1946-1956	Rev Harold Scott Taylor		1893	1977
1955-1961	Rev Stephen Carr		1911	1978
1961-1967	Rev Hugh Davy	Stalwart of Dramatic Society - died in office		1967
1967-1980	Rev William Percy Hart MC	Served in Second World War - Capt 2nd AIF	1909	1987
1980-1987	Rev Don Fernance
1991-	Rev John Hastings Reeves	Locum	1915	1994
?	Can you help us fill in the blanks? K. Graham J. Nield L. Turner S. Lewis N. Blaskow
2017-2023	Rev Joy Harris
2010-2016 and 2023-	Rev Canon Jono Williams	Incumbent after a break of some years in Mudgee

---

Footnotes
1 Unlikely to have been reported in the Star as it only commenced publication in circa 1900. The report may have come from one of the Molong, Cowra or Bathurst newspapers.
2 See also "Illuminating the Spiritual: The Symbolic Art of Christian Waller" PhD thesis submitted by Grace Margaret Anne Blakeley-Carrol, ANU, 2017
3 Canowindra Star newspaper, 10th March 1939

---

Have we got something wrong or missed anything or can you provide more information? Contact us via the form here.

Have you got a story about Canowindra? We'd love to hear it. Please contact us here