Christ Church Anglican Church, Molesworth. Photo: Australian Christian Church Histories

Christ Church Anglican Church, Molesworth, will celebrate its 120th anniversary next year.
The “new Church of England will be opened by His Lordship, the Bishop of Melbourne, assisted by the Rev. J.T. Baglin and Yea Choir, on Thursday, April 27, inst., at 7pm. Collection in aid of the Building Fund. Visitors cordially invited,” said an advertisement in the Yea newspaper on April 20, 1899.
The opening was reported in the May 4, 1899, issue:
“Never since the beginning of time have so many people of importance from Yea met in that picturesque and peaceful little hamlet nestling among the hills, as assembled in Molesworth last Thursday evening, to assist by their presence and sympathy at the opening of the new Church of England that has just been completed there.
“Indeed, it was a sweet and pleasant surprise to the residents of that- hospitable centre, and highly appreciated as such.
The fact of His Lordship the Bishop of Melbourne opening the church, to say nothing of the promise of a cup of afternoon tea and a bun,
was quite sufficient inducement to
account for the large number of visitors who came from all points of the compass, anid byall manner of ways and means.
“Mr. D. Tyrer of Ti-Tree had the distinguished honor of driving the Bishop from Yea, as had the Bishop
the no less distinguished honor of being driven by Mr. Tyrer.
“They in company with the greater number of visitors arrived about 5 o’clock and were entertained by the ladies of the congregation.
“The Bishop officiated at the opening ceremony, assisted by Rev. A. A. Rowed of St. John’s, Alex-andra, and Rev. J. T. Baglin, St. Luke’s, Yea.
“Almost the full strength of the Yea choir were present, and aided by
Molesworth choir and accompanied by Miss Eastwood, the Yea organist, rendered the musical portion of the service in an efficient and praiseworthy manner.
The text chosen by the Bishop was taken from chapter 24, St. Luke,
begilniing at the 18th verse, and an eloquent sermon, couched in simple
but effective language, was delivered in an impressive manner, and listened to in rapt attention by the crowded congregation.
The collection taken up amounted to the handsome sum of £5 6s.
“It is estimated that from 150 to 170 people were present, which did not overcrowd the building, which is
34 feet by 18 f eet, with a chancel 7
feet by 7 and an extensive porch. “The church furnishings have been donated by Rev. J. T. Baglin ; communion table cover, Mr. D. Johnston ; communion table, Mrs. Geo. Coles (Yea); christening font, and a handsome text “Sing, rejoice and give thanks” by our esteemed well-wisher, Mr. Jas Taite (Yea), Mesdames Smith, Carson, Wright and McCann and Miss Ridd provided and dispensed afternoon tea, and after the service, coffee, in the school, which was evidently appreciated by those visitors who had any distance to drive on the return journey.
“The ladies connected with the church are now preparing for their tea meeting and concert in the goods shed orThursday 18th May, which give severy promise of being up to the usual high standard attained at Molesworth.
“It is satisfactory to note that the acoustic (pronounced akois or’ akoos
according to fancy) properties.of the
new building are excellent,” said the local newspaper’s account.
The May 11 Chronicle noted its error:
“Owing to erroneous punctuation the latter portion of report on the opening of Christ Church might possibly be misconstrued.
“It should have read thus :-The furnishings of the’ church were donated by the following:-Rev. J. T. Baglin, coirmmunion table cover; Dr. Johnston, communion table; Mrs. Geo. Coles (Yea), christening font; Mr. Jas. Taite (Yea), handsome text,”Sing, rejoice and give thanks.”
It was noted: Messrs. D. Johnson, C. W. Ridd, J. Johnson and H. McCann have been appointed guardians to Christ Church, Molesworth.
On September 28, 1899, the local press reported: “Furnishings of the interior of Christ Church, Moles-worth, are almost complete.
“A new draping and curtain has been made by Miss Ridd; a pulpit cushion and frontispiece by Miss Roberts; an organ has been purchased; new coir matting laid down the aisle, and a raised floor put in the chancel by Mr. J. Carson.
“When the communion rails are erected and sun blinds obtained, everything necessary will have been got and the church compare favorably with any of similar style in any part of the universe,” the local newspaper stated.
News of a further acquisition came in the Mar 1, 1900, issue:
“Through the instrumentality of.-Mr. Jas. Taite, of Yea, a set of beautifully bound service books, consisting of a Bible and Prayer Book, have been obtained for Christ Church, Molesworth, free of charge, from London, from the Society for Promoting Christian’ Knowledge.
“Mr. Taite ever evinces a keen interest in the welfare of this Church.”
Towards the end of the second year, a report (Dec. 7, 1900) recorded: “The annual tea meeting and concert in connection with Christ Church, Molesworth, was held last evening, and proved highly successful.
“The concert was an excellently good one, all present being highly pleased.”
The following week saw the Alexandra Standard publish its report: “A large gathering was attracted to the concert given in the Molesworth goods shed last night week in aid of the funds of Christ Church, Molesworth.
“The programme was a large and varied one, while the artistes who assisted the energetic secretary, Mr. McCann, came from Yea, Yarck, and Alexandra and gave a really first-class performance, which aroused the enthusiasm of the audience, and afforded all present intense pleasure. “The proceeds amounted to about £20. As is the invariable practise with our Molesworth friends on such occasions, the wants of the visitors were well looked after by Mrs. McCann and the ladies assisting her, hos pitality being dispensed with a liberality characteristic of the residents of the locality.
“Every praise is due Mr. McCann for the eflicient manner in which he had arranged the concert and the successful issue to which he brought it, while to the ladies and others.who so tastefully decorated the building thanks are due.”
Traditions began. The Yea newspaper, on March 6, 1902, reported:
“The annual Harvest Thanksgiving Service was held in Christ Church, Molesworth, on Sunday of last week.
“The church was nicely decorated for the occasion with seasonable fruits, vegetables, and cereal by the ladiees of the congregation assisted by a lady visitor from Yea. “The Rev.R. Leck M.A., conducted the service.
“On Monday of last week the annual meeting of the congregation of Christ Church, Molesworth, was held, the Rev. R. Leck presiding. Messrs: Ridd, Johnson, and McCann were elected Guardians for the ensuing year.
“ The proceeds from the sale of the fruit and vegetables from the Thanks giving Service to be sent in to the Alexandra Hospital.”
In era well before the motor car, a visit by the Bishop, in September 1902, set an impressive pace:
“The Right Rev. Lord Bishop of Wangaratta, proposes to pay his first episcopal visit to the Yea district next week, arriving on Wednesday evening. He will preach at St. Paul’s Church, Kanumbra, on Thursday afternoon, at 3.30, and at a conversazione at Yarck on the same evening, the people of the district surrounding that township will be afforded an opportunity of making his acquaintance.
“On Friday, 19th, his Lordship will preach at St. John’s Church Spring Valley, at 2 o’clock, and in the State School, Glenburn, at 8 o’clock on the same evening.
:”On Sunday 21st, the Bishop will preach at St. Luke’s Church, Yea morning and evening, and at Christ Church, Molesworth, in the afternoon.”
On December 19, 1903, a news report commented: “Archdeacon Wilcox, of Wangaratta, preached an eloquent and expressive sermon at Christ Church, Molesworth on Sunday last, and, at the conclusion of his sermon, made many kindly references to the late Mrs. Carson, a one-time worker and helper in this church.
“At the conclusion of the service the Dead March was impressively played by the organist, Mr. Catamore, of Alexandra.”
Another Thanksgiving Service – 1904 – was described by The Standard thus:
“On Sunday afternoon last the annual harvest festival service was held in Christ Church, Molesworth, the Rev. R. Leock, M.A., vicar, officiating.
“The choir from St. Luke’s, Yea, rendered hymns and anthems appropriate to the occasion. Messrs. Osborne and Du Ve were the soloists, while Miss Daley pre sided at the organ.
“The church was tastefully decorated by the ladies of the congregation, and greatly admired by the increased attendance.”
On May 19, 1904, a printed note said: “On Wednesday evening a concert and dramatic entertainment will be held in the Public Hall, Molesworth, and as will be seed: by advertisement elsewhere a number
of the leading ladies of Yea, Alexandra, and the Molesworth districts have promised to assist as, well as the Yea Amateur Dramatic Club and the Molesworth School children. “The proceeds are in aid of Christ Church, Molesworth:? The concerts held at Molesworth are usually very enjoyable and invariably attract a large.number of visitors from far and near, and as all the details are in the capable hands of Mr
H. McCann, as Hon. Secretary, nothing further need be said.”