ST PAUL'S - PORT ADELAIDE

The present church building dedicated to Saint Paul is the third to be built at the corner of St Vincent Street and Church Place.

The first religious services for members of the Church of England [Anglican] were held in the Customs House sheds in conjunction with the non-conformist people of New Port as the area was then known. The Reverend C R Howard, a chaplain appointed by Queen Victoria, landed with Governor Hindmarsh in 1836 and his ministrations commenced with the settlement of the Province of South Australia. Holy Trinity Church, North Terrace Adelaide was the parish of which Reverend Howard was the incumbent and from which he came fortnightly to serve the district of Port Adelaide. The Reverend J Farrell alternated to provide a weekly service.

Land reclamation began in 1839 and swamps were gradually converted into dry land upon which houses, factories, shops and churches now stand.

The pioneering days at the Port were rather hazardous times because high tides were a constant threat to newly erected buildings. It was impossible in those early years to keep roads and streets in repair - there were dangerous mud holes and lagoons filled with water and large ditches alongside the three streets which with the river formed the boundary of the new settlement. The area was in those days accurately described by the nicknames of Mudholia and Dustholia.

The second church in the infant colony, St John in Halifax Street was built upon the half acre section 581, being land presented by the Colonial Treasurer, Osmond Gilles Esq.

THE BUILDING OF THE FIRST ST PAUL'S

The original building was a wooden structure built upon piles on what was only ten months prior referred to as an impassable morass. At least as early as September 1840, Captain Thomas H Lipson RN and others were busy collecting funds: "for the erection of a church at the New Port" as the present Port Adelaide was then known. By the new year they considered they had sufficient money on hand to proceed with its erection. Arrangements were accordingly made for the driving of the first pile on 25th January 1841, the Patronal feast day, but for some reason which will probably never be known, the ceremony did not take place until Monday 31st January as the following extract from the South Australian Register of Saturday 6th February 1841 records:

New Church - Port Adelaide;
The first pile of this building was driven on Monday last by the Hon. Captain Sturt, Assistant Commissioner, in the presence of a large assemblage of the inhabitants of the Port and neighbourhood. Appropriate services were performed by the Rev. Messrs Howard and Farrell. A paper with an inscription showing the date the names of the committee and of those who took part in the ceremony was sealed up in a bottle enclosed in the timber. The expense of the building will be about 350 pounds towards which about 200 pounds had already been obtained. A congregation has already been found at the Port the Rev. Messrs Howard and Farrell having performed services alternatively every Sunday afternoon for some months past.

The church was opened for divine worship on 9th May 1841.

Mrs. Smith of Yalumba, Angaston, who arrived in the colony in October 1840 and who lived at the Port for the first twenty years of her colonial life says in a letter "that before the church was built services were held in a Government goods shed". She says also "A church of wood was then erected at a cost of 400 pounds. Unfortunately the first Sunday service was held in stormy weather and the water had risen to the floor so we had to go home in boats. The next day the church was found to be leaning to one side and strange to say the next gale made it right and we had services there for years."

A record of these events which was sealed up in a bottle and enclosed in the timber was recovered when the original wooden church was wrecked and it records that the carpenters were George Hedley and Walter Scott; the treasurer Captain Thomas Lipson RN; the Auditor Robert Torrens, the Secretary Charles S Hare, the building committee Messrs F Horswell, J T Haynes, J Munroe, J S Duncan and Captain Beaton; the Honorary collectors Messrs A Murray and G Ayling.

It also records that "This church was erected by the exertions and voluntary subscriptions of the inhabitants of New Port Adelaide - an object in which all classes of Christians have joined, setting aside their sectarian differences for the purpose of raising a Sanctuary for the worship of God according to the formulas of the English Established Church..."

The fact that all denominations helped to erect it no doubt led to the following resolution being passed by the subscribers on 31st May 1841 meeting in the church:- "That this church is and be declared to be the Protestant Episcopal Church and that while the trustees [Captain T H Lipson Messrs C S Hare, Munroe and Murray and Dr Durie] are unable to procure the services of a Priest of the Church of England they shall be entitled to and are hereby empowered to open the church for the service of God to ministers of the gospel of the Methodist, Presbyterian, Congregational and Baptist denominations.

We learn from J W Bull "Early Experiences of Life in South Australia [pp 47-48] that the first minister in South Australia of the Established Church of Scotland, the Reverend Robert Haining, who arrived in Adelaide late in 1841 held his first services in Holy Trinity Church, North Terrace, assisted by the Reverend C B Howard. These two clergy later took Services in St. Paul's Church on alternate Sunday afternoons "each according to the form of his own church, the congregations embracing with few exceptions the same individuals at either service."

The Reverend Howard continued to conduct services until his death in 1843. Afterwards Dean Farrell who was present at the ceremony of the driving of the first pile continued to take services until in 1846 the Rev George Cobb Newenham [a son of Sheriff Newenham, then residing at Mitcham] was established as the first resident clergyman in Port Adelaide.

George Cobb Newenham was in Deacons Orders having been ordained in Tasmania from whence he came to serve in the Port. He remained there until 1849 being ordained to the Priesthood by Bishop Short D.O. who had arrived in Adelaide in 1847.

As a newly ordained Deacon he would have found working in New Port or Port Misery as it was also known involved considerable work amongst the thousands of sailors who at times would have spent some months in port. The first seven entries in the burial records of the parish include two cases of "drowned whilst intoxicated" another "fell out of a gig whilst intoxicated" abode and occupation "Ostler at the Port Hotel" The seventh entry reads "killed in a drunken affray with police - abode barque Princess Royal, age 22 years.

Two years later in 1851 during the 7 year incumbency of the Rev. Edward Bayfield [Priest] a new church was erected to replace the wooden building. The second church of St Paul was erected at a cost of 910 pounds, towards payment of which the contractor James Miller accepted allotments of land to the value of 260 pounds being a portion of the glebe to the south of the cemetery which had been laid out by the Rev. E Bayfield as a township. The architect was Mr Stuckey of Adelaide. In the October, however, we read that: David Bower for the 197 pounds due for the completion of the roof has agreed to "take the old church in lieu of thirty pounds to be deducted from the amount of the contract".

The wooden building involved the trustees of St Paul's in considerable commitments of the building itself. The minutes of the 8th June 1841 concerning the land noted as follows:- "it was understood that captain Lipson should write to Mr George Hall to procure an interview with the Governor [Gawler] for the purpose of obtaining a written document from Governor Gawler, to the effect that he promised to and gave to the Port Adelaide Church the acre of ground that surrounds it and request from him a letter to Mr Hill requiring him to give the trustees of the church a Title to the land in question in accordance with the verbal arrangements made to Colonel Gawler and Mr Hill" Again on 29th July 1841 we have another motion wherein the trustees were again to write to Mr Hill this time asking "which side of the square the trustees are to have".

Finance also became an urgent problem for the trustees as the minutes of the new church show: 12th September 1841:- At a meeting pursuant to a public advertisement appearing; the trustees and subscribers to the Port Adelaide Church met and passed the following resolution:- moved Dr Darce and seconded by Mr Murray- That as the trustees are not in possession of funds sufficient to liquidate the debt chargeable upon it at the maturity of the acceptance given by the Trust to Bunce and Thompson then the Trustees are hereby empowered to dispose of the church in such manner as shall appear to them best. Resolved - Meeting adjourned.

Relating to the second St Paul's, other than the financial position, The South Australian Register of 22nd February 1851 records a disputation on the siting of the second St Paul's Church:

Church Meeting at Port Adelaide

An unannounced and suddenly got up meeting was held at the Port church on Thursday afternoon to receive a petition from Mr. Coppin against the erection of the new church on its present intended site close to the theatre and Port road. The Lord Bishop and the Rev Mr Bayfield were present. Mr Coppin having guaranteed 100 pounds subscription, with the likelihood of 200 pounds more in case of its removal to another site, and the general opinion being against the proposed site, it was moved by Mr Clarke and seconded by Mr Hawker, "That the site of the present building be adopted for the new one; and that the meeting will forego the munificent grant of the site on the Port road in consideration of the proposal made by Mr Coppin, namely, to guarantee the sum of 100 pounds and to endeavour to raise 200 pounds more, being carried out; and that, the meeting be adjourned till Tuesday 25th instant, at 2 o'clock, to receive the reply of Mr Coppin, and the report on Mr Coppin's offer of 350 pounds for the half acre adjoining the Church". The meeting was then adjourned until Tuesday.

The foundation stone of the small church was laid in April 1851 and the building was completed in 1852. The new church was built parallel to St Vincent street where the third and present building stands.

Soon after the second building was opened for services; St Paul's-on-the piles was washed away in a swollen tide and wrecked.

In those early days a local medical practitioner, Dr Handyside Duncan did much for St Paul's as a lay reader and prominent leader in Port Adelaide. He was well loved as a Christian doctor and often rode as far as Henley Beach on horse back to attend the sick. Dr Duncan took a leading part in the foundation of the Adelaide Diocesan Synod "The Port Pilot" of 28th August 1896 provides an insight into the impressions of Dean Marryat who wrote in that year:- When I first knew the Port there was a ditch running along the full length of St Vincent Street, it had been dug out to form an embankment on the North side. This was for many years called the bank. The actual town of The Port lay between The Parade and St Vincent Street. All the land to the south belonged to the Port Land Company. He added that arriving at the Port in 1856 that part of the present church which adjoins St Vincent street has been built, but had not been seated. This was done immediately after my arrival. Shortly afterwards the addition of three or more rooms was made to the parsonage and the Glebe was fenced in. That portion of the Glebe to the south of the cemetery [now known as Pioneer Park, Alberton] had been laid out by my predecessor the Rev E Bayfield, as a township, but only a few blocks had been let when the demand for allotments failed and the proposed township became a paddock.

On February 7th 1861 a committee was appointed to plan for the enlargement of the church by making the old building a transept. Dean Marryat again records "it [the church] had been unfortunately built so near to the road that there was no room for transepts. There was consequently only two modes of additions - by widening the building or making the old building a transept. This latter plan was adopted". The enlargement doubled the size of the building.

For many years we had an excellent though small choir. It consisted of four good musicians, Mrs Duncan [wife of Dr Duncan] who played the harmonium, Mr and Mrs James Hawker and Mr Lake. They lead the simple chants and hymns admirably. Shortly afterwards the church was enlarged and through the energy of Mr Turton a Reed Organ was obtained from England. In 1866 the old Mitre hymn book was replaced by Hymns Ancient and Modern. "It was a somewhat severe trial, as many old tunes had been studiously omitted in the first edition and many of the new ones were far from popular".

The South Australian Register of 18th December 1861 gave a very detailed report on the opening of "St Paul's Church Port Adelaide".

The additions to this church being completed it was reopened for the celebration of divine service on Sunday December 15, when sermons appropriate to the occasion were preached in the morning by the Lord Bishop, and in the evening by the Very Rev the Dean. On Monday evening a public meeting was held in the church, when, not withstanding the unfavourable state of the weather, a very large number of persons were present. The Lord Bishop took the chair on the occasion, the proceedings were commenced with the singing of an anthem by members of the Port Sacred Choral Society, by whom several other pieces were given in the course of the evening in excellent style. The Rev C Marryat then offered prayers, after which the Lord Bishop proceeded to congratulate the congregation on the success attending the additions to the church. Mr R Tapley read the following report:

Report of the St Paul's Church Enlargement Committee, elected at a meeting of the seat-holders held in the church on 7th February 1861; the Rev C Marryat in the chair. It is necessary to commence this report by stating that, in consequence of the congregation of this church having within the last few years so considerably increased, very great difficulty has been experienced in providing seat room and more especially for the various strangers, commanders and officers of vessels, and others who from time to time visit Port Adelaide. It was therefore considerably necessary to enlarge the church without delay and the above committee was formed for this purpose. After mature deliberation it was decided that this should be effected by making an addition extending transversely from the centre of the old building so as to make the whole when completed of a cruciform shape [in accordance by plan furnished by Mr E.W.Wright, estimated cost 1200 pounds exclusive of the chancel]

In 1868 the Reverend Samuel Green succeeded Charles Marryat at Port Adelaide. It was during his time as minister at St. Paul's that a day church school was established within the church land. The school was run by the Sisters of The Church for many years until they retired from this role due to illness of a sister and then a lay person was appointed as teacher. The school continued until 1928 when it was closed.

Canon Green who followed the Reverend C Marryat records "On the removal of the Reverend C Marryat in 1868 I became his successor at the Port. The present mode [1896] of induction with a religious service and solemn charge did not at that time obtain in this Diocese and the only formal ceremony that marked my appointment was the delivery of the keys of the Church into my hands after I had taken my first service". He was a 'much loved' Priest and in 1886 the members of St Paul's Choir presented him with an illuminated address signed by them. This address was kept in the safe within the Priest's Vestry of the church having come into the possession of the Rector of St Paul's in early 1950's.

Father Peter W Patterson a curate at Port Adelaide at the time, in a broadcast over radio 5KA on Sunday 9th August 1953 records:- towards the end of last century [19th] the church was in need of renovations and repairs. In the year that Canon Green retired, 1893, the exterior was repaired, but much required attention inside the church. St George Church Alberton, a mission church of Port Adelaide until 1st June 1915 had it's first Wardens appointed in the same year. It was in 1893 also that St Andrew's Mission Hall at Birkenhead was built - the wooden building was opened for worship early the following year. Upon the retirement of the Reverend Canon Green after a quarter of a century of service at St Paul's the Reverend Frederick William Samwell was inducted as Rector. He was the first incumbent to be inducted with the religious service and solemn charge with which present day Anglicans are familiar.

The new Rector was the first to have five churches to attend to within the Parish. St Nicholas church was at Ethelton built in memory of Charles Trafford Smith, a well-known and active lay reader. A mission hall dedicated to St Barnabas was in Canning Street, Rosewater, where the church owned a large area of land. This land was later sold and a fine brick church was built in 1908 dedicated to St Barnabas and in memory of the faithful departed. Canon Hornabrook, Rector of St Paul's from 1901 - 1905 designed this church. St Andrew's in Birkenhead and St. George's in Alberton made the churches number five.

In spite of the task of looking after a growing parish with five churches to provide services, the Rev. Samwell found time for the duties of Curator of the Port Adelaide Museum and Art Gallery.

The Rev Charles Soward Hornabrook succeeded the Rev Samwell. It was during his incumbency that the present St Paul's was built. This was a great event for the Parish, for the new church is a beautiful and stately brick building in which architecture and the builder's skill are combined to make a worthy offering to the glory of God. We have a valuable record of the opening of the church in the Parish paper of December 1905;

"All Saints Day, 1905 should always be remembered in Port Adelaide. On that day the first services were held in our new church. On the Eve after the first Evensong of the festival, the Altar, Furniture etc were carried in procession from the school chapel and placed in the church. The splendid number of communicants [145] at 6 a.m. expressed, we trust a real thankfulness to God for all He has done. All these services were beautiful, dignified, hearty, reverent; the Choral Eucharist at 9.45 seems especially to have touched those present." On the following Sunday the services were as beautiful as on All Saints Day, and the Church at the Children's Evensong was crowded with nearly 500 Children".

THE PRESENT ST PAUL'S CHURCH

The church of St Paul, which currently stands in St Vincent Street opposite the Birkenhead bridge, an entirely new building, was erected in 1905 by the generosity of Mr Tyzack and was ready for use in the November. However owing to the vacancy of the See through the translation of Bishop Harmer it was not consecrated until 1st December 1906. The new ceremonial for consecration of churches drawn up by Bishop Thomas was used for the first time. On the day of consecration Holy Communion was celebrated at 6.30 a.m. and 11.00 a.m.; and at 3.00 p.m. Bishop Thomas consecrated the Church. Amongst those present were the following clergy:- The Reverend Canon C E Young [Rector], the Rev L H De Cas [curate], the Rev W S Thomas [Bishop's Chaplain], Archdeacons Dove, Samwell and Bussell, Canon Andrews, Canon Hornabrook, and the Reverends G Griffiths, E H Bleby, L T Maund, J Colville, W S Milne, T Blackburn, E K Miller, J Warren and C W Winch. The visiting clergy and Select Vestry were entertained at lunch in the schoolroom and at the close of the consecration service afternoon tea was served in the Foresters Hall, where a large number of the congregation attended.

NEW PARISH HALL

In March 1910 we read in the Parish Magazine that the ceremony of Laying the Foundation Stone will be performed with full Masonic honours on Saturday 19th March at 3.45 p.m. The Right Reverend the Lord Bishop and the M W the Grand Master, Sir Samuel Way, will take part in the proceedings. The Rector earnestly hopes and prays that parishioners from all the different portions of the Parish will make the function an abundant success by their presence in large numbers and by their liberality. Should we not place at least 50 pounds upon the stone? We shall need it all and more. Afternoon tea will be served in the Foresters' Hall after the ceremony.

The opening is recorded in the Parish Magazine of August 1910, which records that :

July 20th 1910, will ever be a Red Letter Day in he history of St Paul's Parish, and justly so, for on that date the New Hall was opened by His Excellency the Governor in the presence of a crowded audience.

The same article adds that His Excellency and Lady Bosanquet, the Lord Bishop, the Dean and the Mayor of Port Adelaide were amongst those present.

Evensong on 21st September 1910, was very exciting. During the sermon, Mr F L LeLeu handed the Rector a note. Immediately he dismissed the congregation. A ship carrying explosives and berthed in the Port River was on fire and it was expected to blow up at any moment. Fortunately the ship was saved and the Port was not damaged.

WAR MEMORIAL

After the war on 29th March 1919 a war shrine in memory of the fallen from within the parish was dedicated by the Rector Reverend Matthew Williams and unveiled by Captain Logan in the presence of 400 people. This shrine, a large wooden crucifix and Roll of Honour is at the front of the building facing directly toward the Birkenhead Bridge.

FURNISHINGS AND ORNAMENTS PROVIDED FOR THE CHURCH

The monthly Church Messenger in 1904 records that:

The New Church - Twelve tenders were received but were much higher than the sum to be expended. The architect has been instructed to revise the plans. The delay has necessarily postponed calling a meeting of the Canon Green Memorial Committee but collectors will be glad of the extended time for asking for the friends of the late Canon and the church.
Confirmation will be given at St Paul's on Wednesday November 9th at 8 p.m. On All Saints day at Evensong, ten adults were baptised and ten who had been baptised previously were received into the church. The service was most impressive. The thank offerings of the candidates at the service will be given towards the new Wine and Water Cruets which have been bought to replace the Sauce bottle and Claret Jug formerly used at St Paul's to hold wine and water on the Credence. The thank offerings at the 1902 and 1903 Confirmation services went towards this object, but were not sufficient. The first Communion of the newly confirmed will be held on Advent Sunday.

July 1905 again the monthly Church Messenger gives an insight into the building of the now nearly completed church:-

The New Church shows up splendidly and the graceful lines of both the general design and the minor details can be seen, while the thoroughness of the work is admired by all. To some who have not visited the old country a brick church is a novelty and they have not got used to it, but we are sure time will justify the wisdom of the donor's wish to have a brick church, and the dignity of the building will appeal strongly to them after a while. Things are moving so rapidly toward completion that the Rector is beginning to feel anxious as to some of the arrangements. How awfully bare the chancel will look without a dossal hanging or reredos behind the Altar, and without a carpet from the Altar to the chancel steps, 10 pounds or 12 pounds will be needed for each of these of suitable dignity to suit the Church.

THE REREDOS:- the Reverend M Williams writing in the Parish Magazine in May 1913 stated:-

A handsome Reredos is to be presented to St Paul's Church by members of the family of the late Mr and Mrs C Walter. A Reredos is a carved or sculptured screen at the back of the altar. In this case it will reach to the base of the windows, extend the full width of the sanctuary and return at either side, reaching to the altar rails. The action of the donors of this beautiful gift is one that might well actuate others in doing likewise. It is expected that the work will be completed in two months time.

October 1913 we read again in the parish magazine:

The Reredos which has been presented to St Paul's church in memory of the late Charles and Elizabeth Walter was dedicated to the glory of God on Sunday September 14th [Holy Cross Day] in the presence of a large congregation at 11.a.m. at a service which was one of the most dignified, most inspiring and most impressive in which the Rector has been privileged to take part in the parish of Port Adelaide. A prominent feature has yet to be added in the way of two beautifully carved panels, which will take some weeks to complete. The acts of Communion at the service numbered 86, the total for the day being 160.

CANDLE STICKS - In May 1917 it is recorded that three pairs of brass candle sticks for the High Altar as well as two pairs of vases for the Altar were given by Miss S Tulloch and one pair by Mrs J Powell.

CHALICE - An In Memoriam Gift - Mrs F Males has also presented to the Church a solid Silver Chalice and Paten, suitably inscribed, in memory of Hubert Gladstone Males, who had made the supreme sacrifice in France. This is for use in the Lady Chapel, it is hoped for all time, and was dedicated at the early celebration on Anzac Day, when at 6 a.m. there were 43 communicants.

SANCTUARY LAMP - A handsome Sanctuary Lamp having been presented to St Paul's to hang before the High Altar, was dedicated by the Rector on Whitsun Day 1918 at the 7 a.m. celebration. We read in the Bible of the seven lamps burning before the throne of God in Heaven and now we have this lamp burning before the Throne of the King of Kings on earth.

SANCTUS BELL - In the last issue of The Messenger [this one being March 1919] reference was made to this handsome gift in memory of the Late Mr and Mrs Proviso. The gift was dedicated and used for the first time on Sunday 2nd February, the Feast of The Purification.

THE LADY CHAPEL

In the March 1913 parish magazine we read of early references to the building of a Lady Chapel where the Rector writes:

"A Lady Chapel is a chapel dedicated to God in memory of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of our Holy Redeemer."

He goes on to further write;

"The Lady Chapel had to be omitted from the original design of St Paul's Church owing to lack of funds. Provision however, has been made for its addition, which would add much to the external appearance of the Church, and would be extremely useful on many occasions on which the larger Church building is now used. We do not expect to build it this year or next, but it is just as well to have the project in hand, and to the amount subscribed for this object by Lenten Self Denial, Gifts, and legacies may be added to at any time".

February 1915 we read again the Reverend M. Williams writing:

"The Lady Chapel, until this has been built, which is an important part of the original design of the Church, St Paul's will always present a one sided, unfinished appearance. The Chapel will be in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Our Lord.
"The Lady Chapel is also needed for many services which would be held there in lieu of the main body of the Church. Surely the time is passed when our churches should be open and used ONLY on Sundays, and the public worship of our Heavenly Father to the first day of the week? The chapel will be a most valuable addition to St Paul's Church in usefulness and beauty".

In the August 1915 edition of the parish paper we read:

The Rector has been promised anonymous gifts amounting to 300 pounds for the Lady Chapel, on condition that the work of erection shall be proceeded with at once. The Select Vestry has gratefully accepted the offer, on the conditions laid down, and plans and specifications have been prepared by the architect, with the view of calling for tenders for the addition, which when completed will be a most welcome one in completeness and usefulness.

Further in the September issue of the same year it is recorded:

The Foundation Stone will be laid [D.V.] on Saturday September 11th 1915 at 3.15 p.m. There will be a procession from the sanctuary and chancel of the Church to the site, copies of the service will be provided and afternoon tea will be served in the Parish Hall after the service. All parishioners are hereby invited to the function. Invitations on printed cards are being sent to those who are living beyond the boundaries of the parish and to those whom sons or husbands have fallen in the war. Come one and all and bring your friends with you please. Let the function be one on which we shall be able to look back with gratitude.

Stain glass windows for the Lady Chapel

In April 1916 the Parish paper records:

"Lenten Self Denial- As previously announced your Lenten Savings will be set apart for providing stain-glass windows in the Lady Chapel to the glory of God and in memory of our dear lads, who have knelt with us at the same Altar to receive the Blessed Sacrament and who made the supreme sacrifice in the war".

Again in the parish paper of the following year [1917]:

"Lenten Self Denial Envelopes - Envelopes for your Lenten Savings may be obtained at the Parish and Mission Churches. The Lenten Savings this year are to be used for the purpose of providing stained glass windows for the east end of the Lady Chapel. The Lady Chapel and windows will be a lasting and fitting memorial of our heroic dead. I trust the offerings will be worthy of the object etc and etc. I hope these windows will be ready for dedication on "Peace Day".

The foundation stone was laid on 11th September 1915 and the Lady Chapel was to be used for the daily celebration of the Eucharist when this was instituted as part of the worship cycle for the Parish. Separated by three arches from the original building the Lady Chapel was a memorial to the fallen of the then current war.

DEDICATION

The Lady Chapel was dedicated by the Rector on 8th December 1915, the Feast of the Conception, at 7.45 p.m., in the presence of a large congregation. The Dedication Sermon was preached by Canon Wise, the lesson was read by Rev C E Loan The report in the parish magazine continues saying:

The chapel has added much to the appearance of St Paul's and the five arches connecting it with the chancel and nave have added much to the dignity to what is a very beautiful and dignified chancel. The Chapel is roomy and exquisitely furnished, and was opened free of debt - as a memorial should be. It measures 30 ft. by 18 ft., and the total cost was over 600 pounds. It is a beautiful and fitting memorial to all our brave lads who make the supreme sacrifice in the present war, and will be a lasting monument when we ourselves have paid the debt of nature. The Chapel will ever serve to remind us of the Christian religion - the doctrine of the Incarnation - and teach us to render to Her - the Mother of Him who is God - that honour and reverence which are her due. It will also be exceedingly useful, especially in our weekday celebrations and other services. And "lest we forget" it will be a constant reminder of those who so readily and bravely offered themselves for us on the altar of their country's service.

MISSION CHURCHES WITHIN PORT ADELAIDE PARISH

St Nicholas' Mission, Glanville [Ethelton]
The Rev F W Samwell, Rector of Port Adelaide left two handwritten accounts covering the opening of the mission church in 1896:

St Nicholas' Mission Church.
The building was erected as a memorial of Charles Trafford Smith, a lay reader and active worker in the parish who died after a short illness on his 35th birthday, 22nd February 1896. The site was a gift of Mrs ... and is vested in St. Paul's Church Port Adelaide [incorporated]. Mr J.H.Hollingworth was the Honorary Architect. The amount required for the erection of the Mission Church was raised by subscription, except 100 pounds which was granted as a loan by the Bishop's Home Mission Society. The Altar and Reredos were the gifts of Dr Morris and Mr H M Burge, the panels being given by Miss Denny Scott, who executed the painting on them. Mr J T James presented the lectern; the altar ornaments were sent from England as a gift. S.P.C.K. provided the service books and the Rector the Communion vessels. The cost of the building without furniture was 230 pounds.
The ceremony of placing the corner post [N.E.] was performed by Mrs Samwell, a service being held.
The building was ready for occupation nine months after Mr.Smith's lamented decease.
F.W.Samwell Rector.
Building Committee:- Messrs R L Driver [Secretary] H M Burge, A J Lyall, R McGay.

A second handwritten report concerns the opening:-

St Nicholas' Mission Church, Glanville Parish of Port Adelaide.
The Opening
This building was licensed for Divine Service on the feast of St Andrew 1896. At 6 a.m. there was a celebration of Holy Communion [the Rector of the parish officiating], at which 12 persons communicated. Evensong was sung by the Rector at 7.45 p.m., the service being fully choral. The choir of St Paul's Church took part. The Lord Bishop of the Diocese [Right Revd J R Harmer D.O.] was present and preached the Sermon. The lessons were read by the Revd Canon Green and W A Campbell.
On the following Sunday, December 6th [St. Nicholas' Day] the Sunday school was formed.
A Sunday morning service at 11 o'clock was commenced on February 14th 1897.

St. Andrew's Mission Hall, Birkenhead

This Hall was first opened for divine Service on Sunday, February 11th 1894 at three o'clock in the afternoon. The Clergy who officiated at that service were:- The Lord Bishop of Adelaide [G W Kennion D.O.] The Rev'd F W Samwell [lncumbent] and the Rev'd F W Wilkinson, Assistant Curate, of the Parish of Port Adelaide.
The building was obtained by means of the application of money bequeathed to the Diocese for the erection of Mission Rooms. From this bequest, the Synod in 1892 gave the Lord Bishop permission to spend two sums of 185 pounds for two iron Church buildings to be placed where he might choose. One was built at Mylor [Aldgate Homestead Blocks] St. Andrew's is the other. The total cost [exclusive of land, 25 pounds, and furniture] was 185 pounds 3 shillings.
F.W.Samwell.

Notice was sent to members of St. Andrew's by the then Rector calling a meeting of those who attended the mission to a meeting as follows:

St. Andrew's Mission, Birkenhead 1950.
Minutes of annual meeting held at the Mission on Wednesday, May 24th at 8.p.m.
Those present;- Mesdames Bester, Bauman, Nelson, Wood, Tingey, Brandon and Misses Taylor and Lashmar [Wardens]
Apologies;- Mesdames Webb and Coulthard.
The Rector was the chairman.
Statement. That the statement of receipts and expenditure be received.
Moved Mrs. Tingey, seconded Miss Taylor. Carried.
After a long discussion about the future of the Mission it was decided that another meeting for further discussion be called in one month time.
The meeting closed at 9.45 p.m.

The above minute was signed at the following meeting Colin C Chittleborough. Rector 28th June 1950.

A circular was then sent out as below:-

St. Andrew's Church, Birkenhead.
There will be a meeting of all those who are interested in the welfare of the church on Wednesday, June 28th at 8.p.m.
Business:- To decide the question, "Is the church to remain in Birkenhead?"
Colin C Chittleborough. Rector

THE ORGAN

The organ arrived on the 'Fort Regent' on January 26th 1865 after sailing from Deal, U.K., on November 3rd 1864.

The Advertiser Saturday February 18th 1865 had the following report:-

A splendid new chancel organ, recently imported in the 'Fort Regent', from London has been erected in the gallery of St Paul's Church, Port Adelaide within the last week. It is a 7 octave instrument, with ten stops and all the latest improvements. Its erection has been superintended by Mr. Daws Of Rundle Street, and we notice that it will be used for the first time for Divine service tomorrow [Sunday], when collections in aid of defraying the expense of erection will be made at both morning and evening services. The services held on Sunday 19th February 1865 were conducted by the Rev Samuel Green. Canon Charles Marryat was en route to England on extended leave.

By April 1868 the organ was fully paid for [two hundred and three pounds.]
1874  The organ was re-Iocated from the south end from the nave to the apse.
1905  Organ dismantled, stored, altered and re-assembled in the new Church by Mr.J.E.Dodd

Prior to arrival of the organ, several people including Mrs Anne Duncan [wife of Dr Duncan] played a Harmonium thus providing music for services held in the Church.

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