BTW. Because they struggle to get six worshippers at Sunday services, many a Tasmanian country church is being sold off. If lucky, they go to people who respect and care and maintain them, even if converted for living purposes. If they end up a mess. At worst someone sticks a match to them, as happened to North Lilydale Presbyterian Church. The last Protestant church in Lilydale still used for worship is the Lilydale Uniting Church which in 2015 celebrated its 125th anniversary. Its congregation has dwindled. What future for that much loved building?
Thanks to Heritage Lilydale, today I attended a terrific talk by Nigel Burch whose second history book on Lilydale district. The Piper's Call, is now available. Today's presentation mainly concentrated on the the slate industry at Bangor, the Turners Marsh farming community and Underwood's river-powered sawmill of the 1850s. Nigel is such a thorough researcher and a lively interesting presenter. We met in the old Bangor Anglican Church - thanks to the joint efforts of current owner Kim Rochere, Keith Morrison and neighbour Heather Peterson. What a cute and comfortable little country church with everything left intact, pews, altar, WW1 roll of honour, banners, memorial plaques, stained glass, all of it. Pine panelled inside and corrugated iron outside. Sixty people filled it and Nigel paid tribute to its builder James Atherton and its current stewards. Our sincere thanks to all who erected the Lions marquee (and put it away in gusty winds), all those who provided afternoon tea and all who contributed (notably Catherine Hamilton on the revered old organ and Jen Whawell, lead soprano in Tamar Valley Voices, Beaconsfield, who led the singing, yes, singing of Welsh songs like the slate miners of yore!) and thanks to all who attended. It was a delightful and educational afternoon.
BTW. Because they struggle to get six worshippers at Sunday services, many a Tasmanian country church is being sold off. If lucky, they go to people who respect and care and maintain them, even if converted for living purposes. If they end up a mess. At worst someone sticks a match to them, as happened to North Lilydale Presbyterian Church. The last Protestant church in Lilydale still used for worship is the Lilydale Uniting Church which in 2015 celebrated its 125th anniversary. Its congregation has dwindled. What future for that much loved building?
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ALL HANDS ENGAGED ON SUNDAY.
LILYDALE, Tuesday. The bush fires are still raging all round the township. A great part of the Underwood district is aflame, and, amongst others, Mr. H. Jones is a heavy loser, having about 200 bushels of wheat destroyed. Mr. West also lost some oats, while his house and those of Messrs. Crabtree and Bennie have been in danger. A spark from the engine on the railway is reported to have set a fire going, which endangered Haas House. Yesterday the flames were round by Messrs. Abells and McGaughey's, and another house, the property of Mr. C. Grandfield, jun., caught fire, but luckily was saved. Mr. C. Miller's place was also in danger. On the Lisle road, Messrs. Gibbins, Hocking, and Edwards had narrow escapes; and the fire went through Mr. Gibbins's orchard. There were only three men at Lilydale on Sunday. There was no church service, the Rev. Mr. Cope, who was on his way to Underwood, could not proceed further than Mr. Power's, owing to falling trees and smoke. This morning one cannot see 100 yards owing to the smoke. Mr. Power lost fences and a large quantity of grass. Praise is due to Constable Quinn for the way he worked, going from place to place, directing the men to the spots where the most danger lay. No accidents to stock have been reported. LILYDALE DISTRICT. (1898, February 9). Launceston Examiner (Tas. : 1842 - 1899), , p. 6. Retrieved May 15, 2016, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article39657997 |
AuthorPhillip Mahnken third son of Pat and Liane, grandson of Jim and Rose ('George'); g-g-son of Harry and Sarah; g-g-g-son of Johann Heinrich born Hanover and Ellen Rourke born Kilkenny, Ireland. Languages teacher and life long questionner, especially about Lilydale history. Archives
June 2023
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