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The water is coming through the walls: the mortar and pointing need to be repaired
History
St John’s Church, Port Fairy, was built in 1856 from local blue stone quarried from the grounds within the church grounds. The architect was Nathaniel Billing, a Port Fairy resident at the time and the driving force behind the ‘new’ stone church was the parish’s first vicar, The Venerable Dr Thomas Braim, a highly educated Englishman, who had moved to Port Fairy to set up a boys’ boarding school. Both the lectern (eagle) and the pulpit were donated in memory of Dr Braim’s ministry in the 1860s.
The present high altar was erected in memory of Dr Braim’s son, Joseph, in 1902 with the extension of the reredos in memory of Fannie Braim in 1925 and of Lillian and Thomas Guyett in 1930. The organ was installed in 1909 and in 1957 the tower, integral to Billing’s original design, was added. The present, Huon pine pews date back to 1894.
Major renovations were carried out in the 1970’s and the roof was replaced in 2006 with the same Welsh slate as the original. More recently the parquetry near the high altar was returned to its former glory and the southern arch, closed off in the 1960s, was re-opened, giving the church its original ‘3 arches’ feel and highlighting the magnificent Corinthian window in the chapel. This had the added advantage of providing more seats for large celebrations and for the many concerts.
The Concerts and the Community
St John’s, with its Heritage Victoria listing, is now an important community asset and concert venue for Port Fairy and the region. The acoustic and ambience of this historic building make it an excellent concert setting, now with its own portable stage and stage lights. The Folk Festival, the Spring Festival, the Jazz Festival and the Winter Weekends all make great use of the building for festival concerts, along with ensembles or choirs from up the road or from overseas. The annual rendition of Handel’s Messiah is attended by people from all over the South West. Port Fairy is now synonymous with music and St John’s is an important part of the music infrastructure.
St John’s is a significant heritage asset and its location within Port Fairy, as an historical harbour village, is an added attraction for visitors to our town and region. It is one of the icons of Port Fairy and an integral part of the town’s history. The cultural, social and economic benefits of tourism and special events to Port Fairy and the region are well documented and St John’s is significant in the towns appeal.
Important Renovation Project
The time has come when St John’s needs some important work.
Historic buildings have to be maintained if they are to be used and admired by future generations and St John’s is no exception. Water is coming in through parts of the wall and under the chapel floor. Some gutters and down pipes have to be replaced. The centre aisle, added sometime after 1856, needs structural repair. Two short, steep floor slopes and some steps that do not comply with today’s safety standards have to be redesigned. Should there be an emergency, two sets of doors that currently open inwards have to open outwards. It is now imperative that St John’s has a permanent, disabled toilet and a decent path to it.
The western gallery, built in 1861, has been out of use for several decades. It needs new steps at a very different angle, some underpinning and new, tiered seating. If listening to concerts in the main part of the church is a slice of heaven, listening to the music in the gallery is like dining with the archangels. What a great addition to the concerts a refurbished gallery will be.
The hall, built in 1874 has been both a day Grammar School and a venue for the Sunday School. Now a major community facility the hall also needs some attention.
The Appeal
The costs are significant but not unachievable. Yes, we will be approaching Trust funds and Heritage Victoria but the reality is that the more we demonstrate commitment and support from our community and the visitors who love our town and our festivals, the more money Heritage Victoria and others will be prepared to give. So it’s up to us to make it happen.
Please help us to keep our beautiful Church.
St John’s Church, Port Fairy, was built in 1856 from local blue stone quarried from the grounds within the church grounds. The architect was Nathaniel Billing, a Port Fairy resident at the time and the driving force behind the ‘new’ stone church was the parish’s first vicar, The Venerable Dr Thomas Braim, a highly educated Englishman, who had moved to Port Fairy to set up a boys’ boarding school. Both the lectern (eagle) and the pulpit were donated in memory of Dr Braim’s ministry in the 1860s.
The present high altar was erected in memory of Dr Braim’s son, Joseph, in 1902 with the extension of the reredos in memory of Fannie Braim in 1925 and of Lillian and Thomas Guyett in 1930. The organ was installed in 1909 and in 1957 the tower, integral to Billing’s original design, was added. The present, Huon pine pews date back to 1894.
Major renovations were carried out in the 1970’s and the roof was replaced in 2006 with the same Welsh slate as the original. More recently the parquetry near the high altar was returned to its former glory and the southern arch, closed off in the 1960s, was re-opened, giving the church its original ‘3 arches’ feel and highlighting the magnificent Corinthian window in the chapel. This had the added advantage of providing more seats for large celebrations and for the many concerts.
The Concerts and the Community
St John’s, with its Heritage Victoria listing, is now an important community asset and concert venue for Port Fairy and the region. The acoustic and ambience of this historic building make it an excellent concert setting, now with its own portable stage and stage lights. The Folk Festival, the Spring Festival, the Jazz Festival and the Winter Weekends all make great use of the building for festival concerts, along with ensembles or choirs from up the road or from overseas. The annual rendition of Handel’s Messiah is attended by people from all over the South West. Port Fairy is now synonymous with music and St John’s is an important part of the music infrastructure.
St John’s is a significant heritage asset and its location within Port Fairy, as an historical harbour village, is an added attraction for visitors to our town and region. It is one of the icons of Port Fairy and an integral part of the town’s history. The cultural, social and economic benefits of tourism and special events to Port Fairy and the region are well documented and St John’s is significant in the towns appeal.
Important Renovation Project
The time has come when St John’s needs some important work.
Historic buildings have to be maintained if they are to be used and admired by future generations and St John’s is no exception. Water is coming in through parts of the wall and under the chapel floor. Some gutters and down pipes have to be replaced. The centre aisle, added sometime after 1856, needs structural repair. Two short, steep floor slopes and some steps that do not comply with today’s safety standards have to be redesigned. Should there be an emergency, two sets of doors that currently open inwards have to open outwards. It is now imperative that St John’s has a permanent, disabled toilet and a decent path to it.
The western gallery, built in 1861, has been out of use for several decades. It needs new steps at a very different angle, some underpinning and new, tiered seating. If listening to concerts in the main part of the church is a slice of heaven, listening to the music in the gallery is like dining with the archangels. What a great addition to the concerts a refurbished gallery will be.
The hall, built in 1874 has been both a day Grammar School and a venue for the Sunday School. Now a major community facility the hall also needs some attention.
The Appeal
The costs are significant but not unachievable. Yes, we will be approaching Trust funds and Heritage Victoria but the reality is that the more we demonstrate commitment and support from our community and the visitors who love our town and our festivals, the more money Heritage Victoria and others will be prepared to give. So it’s up to us to make it happen.
Please help us to keep our beautiful Church.
Restoration 2021/2022
St John’s Church has a Victorian Heritage listing.
The church was built from local bluestone in 1856.
Due to its location and wonderful acoustic St John’s is an important
concert venue as well as a place of worship. Like all old buildings,
it needs restorative work from time to time.
The hall, built in 1874, also needs some attention.
PLEASE HELP US TO KEEP OUR BEAUTIFUL CHURCH
St John’s Church has a Victorian Heritage listing.
The church was built from local bluestone in 1856.
Due to its location and wonderful acoustic St John’s is an important
concert venue as well as a place of worship. Like all old buildings,
it needs restorative work from time to time.
The hall, built in 1874, also needs some attention.
PLEASE HELP US TO KEEP OUR BEAUTIFUL CHURCH
Some of the stonework needs to be repaired to prevent water seeping through.
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The floor needs to be renovated.
Donations gratefully received.
St John's Anglican Church Restoration Fund 013 760/ 283630159 |
The inside plaster needs to be restored.
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