No. 112 - Holy Trinity Cressy - Who Did Mr Brumby Bury?
The history of Holy Trinity Church at Cressy is the story of its rebuilding, repair and renovation. The first church was demolished less than 20 years after it opened while the second church was extensively rebuilt after only 35 years of service.
The first 'Anglican' church at Cressy opened in 1839. It seems to have been served by visiting ministers from Longford, with the Reverend Davies reportedly riding over every Sunday, no matter the weather and apparently without incident. Another minister was not so lucky, according to a report in the Cornwall Chronicle from 1846:
The first 'Anglican' church at Cressy opened in 1839. It seems to have been served by visiting ministers from Longford, with the Reverend Davies reportedly riding over every Sunday, no matter the weather and apparently without incident. Another minister was not so lucky, according to a report in the Cornwall Chronicle from 1846:
“On Sunday, as the Rev Mr Windsor was riding from Longford
to Cressy on clerical duty, he was accidently thrown from his horse, and
sustained severe injury. Unwilling however to disappoint the congregation at
Cressy Church, the reverend gentleman commenced the service, in which he had
for some time proceeded, when the pain he endured was so great, that he was
under the necessity of leaving the pulpit, and was conveyed home for medical assistance”.
The minister’s injuries mirrored the state of the church,
which was plagued by severe structural problems that necessitated its replacement with a
new building. Land for a new church was donated by James Toosey.
Bishop Nixon opened the new church of the Holy Trinity in 1858. While this building did not suffer from structural problems like that of the earlier church, it quickly became apparent that it was not large enough to meet the needs of a growing congregation. By 1889 building another church was being considered once again. However, due to high costs, a compromise resulted in a plan for an enlarged and remodelled building designed by Alexander North. The Examiner reported on the reopening of the refashioned church in August 1894:
Bishop Nixon opened the new church of the Holy Trinity in 1858. While this building did not suffer from structural problems like that of the earlier church, it quickly became apparent that it was not large enough to meet the needs of a growing congregation. By 1889 building another church was being considered once again. However, due to high costs, a compromise resulted in a plan for an enlarged and remodelled building designed by Alexander North. The Examiner reported on the reopening of the refashioned church in August 1894:
“The Holy Trinity Anglican church has been closed since
March last and has undergone extensive repairs, alterations and additions. The
additions consist of chancel, vestry and porch. The chancel and vestry have
been built on the eastern end and the entrance changed to the northeast. Over
the entrance a brick porch is built…and over the front is old English
woodwork…. [which] represents the seven golden candlesticks, emblematic of the
seven churches of Asia. … On the eastern end is the bell turret, which is octagon
shape, [and] is constructed of Oregon pine and rises 20ft above the roof of the
church”.
The bell that was hung in the turret had a history of its
own. It is inscribed with “Sara Christiana, July 1793”. It had belonged to a shipwrecked
tea-clipper of the East India Company. The captain had been a friend of Bartholomew
Thomas of the Cressy Company. It was used to call the men to work and for
meals.
At the reopening of the church Bishop Montgomery’s sermon
borrowed a verse from the book of Revelations; “Behold I make all things new”:
“He…then referred to the old building, which he remembered
as small and most uncomfortable”…. He asked, ‘Who would begrudge the money that
had been spent on the service of God’? And he trusted the congregation would yet be
in a position to make the building more beautiful… he trusted the new chancel
would not become a whited sepulchre, but that they would consecrate their lives
to God’s service…” (Examiner 2 August 1894)
The Church of the Holy Trinity has had a fairly unremarkable
history. However, one event was somewhat of an embarrassment although the
rector and warden could hardly be blamed. In October 1880, in the absence of
the Reverend Norman, the rector, Mr John Brumby, the warden, took on the duty of
burying Israel Simcox. The events that
followed were widely reported across the colony. The Examiner’s report sums it
up best:
“About two months ago the body of a man was found in the
Lake River, near Mr Parker's estate, supposed to be that of Israel Simcox, or
as he was more familiarly known as " Big Israel." The corpse was removed to the Ringwood Inn,
Cressy, and an inquest held the following day, at which Constable Stubbs identified
it as that of Simcox; his identification being based upon the dress and general
appearance, besides a broken nose and the loss of a number of teeth from the
upper jaw; the belief was also sheared by others. A few days ago, however,
Israel made his appearance on the township of Longford, and was to be heard in
the principle street giving utterance to the fact that "he was not dead,
but alive, and quite well," having been both at the time and since the
inquest residing at the other side of the island. The question arises, who was the
man upon whom the inquest was held, and can the registration of the death of
Simcox, once made, be altered?”
It was never found out whom Mr Brumby had buried. The body of the unidentified man still lies buried somewhere in the cemetery of the Church of the Holy Trinity.
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| Photograph: Duncan Grant 2018 |
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| Photograph: Duncan Grant 2018 |
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| Photograph: Duncan Grant 2018 |
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| Photograph: Duncan Grant 2018 |
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| Photograph: Duncan Grant 2018 |
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| Photograph: Duncan Grant 2018 |
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| Photograph: Duncan Grant 2018 |
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| Photograph: Duncan Grant 2018 |
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| Photograph: Duncan Grant 2018 |
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| Line drawing of original church, attributed to Emily Stuart Bowring, unsigned undated. State Library of Tasmania [AUTAS 001124065863w800] |
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| An extract from The Mercury: The Mercury Friday 28 Jan 1881 |
Headstones from Holy trinity Cemetery
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| Photograph: Duncan Grant 2018 |
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| Photograph: Duncan Grant 2018 |
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| Photograph: Duncan Grant 2018 |
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| Photograph: Duncan Grant 2018 |
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| Photograph: Duncan Grant 2018 |
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| Photograph: Duncan Grant 2018 |
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| Photograph: Duncan Grant 2018 |
Von Stieglitz, K. R. (Karl Rawdon) The story of Holy Trinity Church, Cressy. [s.n, [Launceston] Tas, 1958.
Launceston Examiner Thursday 2 August 1894
Daily Telegraph Thursday 2 August 1894
The Mercury Friday 28 January 1881
Examiner Tuesday 25 January 1881
The Cornwall Chronicle Wednesday 6 May 1846
https://www.tasmaniananglican.com.au/ta200102-11/
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