No. 1515 - Shannon River - "The Shannon Church" (1878 - c.1958)
The Shannon River is located in the Central Highlands and is an important tributary of the Ouse River. Its source is at Shannon Lagoon from where it flows through the old property 'The Hermitage’, established by Dr James Ross in the 1820s. In 1877 a church was built near the Hermitage, which by this time was occupied by Frederick Synnot, a local pastoralist and Member of the House of Assembly (Cumberland). The Hermitage is located about 20 kilometres north of Bothwell and is close to the site of the planned village of Ebrington. The construction of the church was made possible due to significant financial contributions made by Frederick Synnot and Nathaniel Paul Allison, of the property Hunterston.
The foundation stone of the church was officially laid on Thursday 19 April 1877. The event, which was poorly attended due to poor communication, is described in an article titled “Shannon Church”, published in the Hobart Mercury:
“The foundation stone of the above church [Shannon church], towards the erection of which upwards of £300 have not only been subscribed, but “in-hand paid,” was laid on Thursday last, the 19th April, by F. Synnot, Esq., J.P., a contributor of £100, who delivered an appropriate address upon the occasion. The usual service and formula; were gone through of placing a bottle containing small coins, a newspaper, and a document with the name of the builder, etc., under the stone. Addresses were also delivered by the Revs. J. Chambers and J. Black. Owing to a lapsus somewhere, the fact of the ceremony being about to take place was known only to a very few, and those with one or two exceptions, confined to the immediate neighbourhood, otherwise a much larger attendance would doubtless have been present, a greater interest exhibited, and the funds none the less diminished, more especially as the church when finished will (it is intended) be open to all Protestant denominations”.
“Even the Warden, N P. Allison, Esq., knew nothing about the ceremony until it was over, although a liberal subscriber towards the erection of the church, and his estate situated about three miles from the site thereof. It is a pity such an act of discourtesy should have been shown to the Warden and others of the public. It is true a notice was sent to the residence of the Warden the evening prior to the ceremony taking place, but as he was on his run at the time, he did not receive it until the following evening when all was over. I have stated that F. Synnot, Esq., contributed £100 towards the erection of the aforesaid church, and amongst other handsome contributions from other quarters were those of H. M. Howells, Esq., £50, Mrs. Anderson, daughter of that gentleman, £30”.
The opening of the church took place in early October 1878. The ceremony was rather poetically described by the local correspondent for the Mercury:
“The formal opening of the newly-erected and pretty little church at Shannon, took place on Thursday last, October 3. The weather turned out quite exceptional for this present occasion, the sun shining beautifully, and the air feeling warm as on a lovely summer's day. On taking a survey all round, after the last arrivals had put in an appearance, a little before 12 o'clock, the time fixed for the opening, the scattered groups of persons in the vicinity of the Church, amounting altogether to between 60 and 70 in number, and dressed in Sunday attire of various shades and colours, the church itself, the noble river Shannon, only a few yards off, (just fordable and no more), the waters clear as crystal, flowing impetuously and majestically along, and the Hermitage, the residence of Frederick Synnot, Esq., on the opposite side of the stream, peering through the trees, rendered the scene, in my mind’s eye, as also I believe it did in the eyes of others, most picturesque”.
“Divine service commenced close upon the time fixed, the church then looked pretty well filled; it is reckoned, however, to hold about 120 or 130 persons without inconvenience. The Rev. T. Chambers officiated, and delivered an excellent sermon adapted for the occasion… The singing also was very good, and in it the greater portion of the congregation appeared to join. Miss Lloyd presided at the harmonium, which had been kindly lent by Mr. Ife for the occasion. After the end of the service Mr. Chambers read a detail of the cost of the building and other expenses connected therewith, which amounted altogether to the sum of £331 8s. 1. The amount of subscriptions received came to £298 4s. 6d., but to make up the deficiency a sum of £30 had been kindly advanced by way of loan, by some kind friends in the neighbourhood, leaving a small balance in the bank”.
“An additional expense had since been incurred for a reading desk in the church, leaving a debt upon the building of about £37. Mr. Chambers said he would leave the statement of the accounts, and the subscription list, on the table, so that any one who thought proper might examine them. A collection was then made which altogether amounted to £6 odd. Shortly after the congregation had left the church, and at a little distance off, tables placed in the open air lengthways, end to end, and covered with nice white table cloths, were bountifully spread with all kinds of food things, jointly provided by F. Synnot, Esq., and the Messieurs, Mrs., and the Misses A. and M. Howells. The viands consisted of roast turkey, fowls, hams, tongues, pork pie, tarts, custards, and trifles, not forgetting even lollies for the youngsters”.
“The forms were brought from the church and placed convenient, so that all for whom room could be found at the tables, could sit down comfortably, and eat and drink to the full of their bent. The drinkables consisted, principally, of sugar and ginger beer, but there were wine and spirits for those who preferred more potent beverage. After the whole of those on the ground heavy luncheons, Mr. Ife mounted a chair, and, calling the people round him, proposed three cheers for the generous and kind-hearted donors of the repast, which, it is needless to state, was responded to with real hearty good will and one, cheer more…..I have omitted to mention that Mr. Chambers informed the people in the Church that the building was open to the ministrations of preachers of all Protestant religious denominations, nor ought I to omit to mention that, although servants were in attendance at the luncheon, the ladies Mrs. James Howells and Miss M. Howells were most indefatigable in constantly going the round of the tables, and seeing that all, without distinction, were provided with whatever they required to suit their palate, etc….”.
The church was a Gothic style building constructed with freestone by local contractor, Mr. Easton. The architect is not known but the building closely resembles St James’ at Hollow Tree (1857), south of Bothwell. The building, which was used exclusively by Anglican and Presbyterian congregations, does not appear to have been formally dedicated or named.
Little is known about the subsequent history of the Shannon church. Congregations were small and services ceased in about 1958. Some time after this the interior of the building was burnt but then its furnishing had been moved to Bothwell. The church was later dismantled and the stone transported to Bothwell. The stone was stored until the 1980s when it was used to construct public toilets.
The foundation stone of the church was officially laid on Thursday 19 April 1877. The event, which was poorly attended due to poor communication, is described in an article titled “Shannon Church”, published in the Hobart Mercury:
“The foundation stone of the above church [Shannon church], towards the erection of which upwards of £300 have not only been subscribed, but “in-hand paid,” was laid on Thursday last, the 19th April, by F. Synnot, Esq., J.P., a contributor of £100, who delivered an appropriate address upon the occasion. The usual service and formula; were gone through of placing a bottle containing small coins, a newspaper, and a document with the name of the builder, etc., under the stone. Addresses were also delivered by the Revs. J. Chambers and J. Black. Owing to a lapsus somewhere, the fact of the ceremony being about to take place was known only to a very few, and those with one or two exceptions, confined to the immediate neighbourhood, otherwise a much larger attendance would doubtless have been present, a greater interest exhibited, and the funds none the less diminished, more especially as the church when finished will (it is intended) be open to all Protestant denominations”.
“Even the Warden, N P. Allison, Esq., knew nothing about the ceremony until it was over, although a liberal subscriber towards the erection of the church, and his estate situated about three miles from the site thereof. It is a pity such an act of discourtesy should have been shown to the Warden and others of the public. It is true a notice was sent to the residence of the Warden the evening prior to the ceremony taking place, but as he was on his run at the time, he did not receive it until the following evening when all was over. I have stated that F. Synnot, Esq., contributed £100 towards the erection of the aforesaid church, and amongst other handsome contributions from other quarters were those of H. M. Howells, Esq., £50, Mrs. Anderson, daughter of that gentleman, £30”.
The opening of the church took place in early October 1878. The ceremony was rather poetically described by the local correspondent for the Mercury:
“The formal opening of the newly-erected and pretty little church at Shannon, took place on Thursday last, October 3. The weather turned out quite exceptional for this present occasion, the sun shining beautifully, and the air feeling warm as on a lovely summer's day. On taking a survey all round, after the last arrivals had put in an appearance, a little before 12 o'clock, the time fixed for the opening, the scattered groups of persons in the vicinity of the Church, amounting altogether to between 60 and 70 in number, and dressed in Sunday attire of various shades and colours, the church itself, the noble river Shannon, only a few yards off, (just fordable and no more), the waters clear as crystal, flowing impetuously and majestically along, and the Hermitage, the residence of Frederick Synnot, Esq., on the opposite side of the stream, peering through the trees, rendered the scene, in my mind’s eye, as also I believe it did in the eyes of others, most picturesque”.
“Divine service commenced close upon the time fixed, the church then looked pretty well filled; it is reckoned, however, to hold about 120 or 130 persons without inconvenience. The Rev. T. Chambers officiated, and delivered an excellent sermon adapted for the occasion… The singing also was very good, and in it the greater portion of the congregation appeared to join. Miss Lloyd presided at the harmonium, which had been kindly lent by Mr. Ife for the occasion. After the end of the service Mr. Chambers read a detail of the cost of the building and other expenses connected therewith, which amounted altogether to the sum of £331 8s. 1. The amount of subscriptions received came to £298 4s. 6d., but to make up the deficiency a sum of £30 had been kindly advanced by way of loan, by some kind friends in the neighbourhood, leaving a small balance in the bank”.
“An additional expense had since been incurred for a reading desk in the church, leaving a debt upon the building of about £37. Mr. Chambers said he would leave the statement of the accounts, and the subscription list, on the table, so that any one who thought proper might examine them. A collection was then made which altogether amounted to £6 odd. Shortly after the congregation had left the church, and at a little distance off, tables placed in the open air lengthways, end to end, and covered with nice white table cloths, were bountifully spread with all kinds of food things, jointly provided by F. Synnot, Esq., and the Messieurs, Mrs., and the Misses A. and M. Howells. The viands consisted of roast turkey, fowls, hams, tongues, pork pie, tarts, custards, and trifles, not forgetting even lollies for the youngsters”.
“The forms were brought from the church and placed convenient, so that all for whom room could be found at the tables, could sit down comfortably, and eat and drink to the full of their bent. The drinkables consisted, principally, of sugar and ginger beer, but there were wine and spirits for those who preferred more potent beverage. After the whole of those on the ground heavy luncheons, Mr. Ife mounted a chair, and, calling the people round him, proposed three cheers for the generous and kind-hearted donors of the repast, which, it is needless to state, was responded to with real hearty good will and one, cheer more…..I have omitted to mention that Mr. Chambers informed the people in the Church that the building was open to the ministrations of preachers of all Protestant religious denominations, nor ought I to omit to mention that, although servants were in attendance at the luncheon, the ladies Mrs. James Howells and Miss M. Howells were most indefatigable in constantly going the round of the tables, and seeing that all, without distinction, were provided with whatever they required to suit their palate, etc….”.
The church was a Gothic style building constructed with freestone by local contractor, Mr. Easton. The architect is not known but the building closely resembles St James’ at Hollow Tree (1857), south of Bothwell. The building, which was used exclusively by Anglican and Presbyterian congregations, does not appear to have been formally dedicated or named.
Little is known about the subsequent history of the Shannon church. Congregations were small and services ceased in about 1958. Some time after this the interior of the building was burnt but then its furnishing had been moved to Bothwell. The church was later dismantled and the stone transported to Bothwell. The stone was stored until the 1980s when it was used to construct public toilets.
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| A map showing the location of the proposed village of Ebrington close to where the church was located. A detail image of the map can be viewed HERE |
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| The toilet block in Bothwell constructed from stone taken from the Shannon church. Photograph: Steve Bittinger |
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| The Hermitage which was in sight of the Shannon church |
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| Interpretation signage near The Hermitage |
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| Frederic(k) Synnot (MLC) was one of the several landholders who made significant donations towards the construction of the church. Source: Parliament of Tasmania |
Sources:
Mercury, Wednesday 25 April 1877, page 3
Mercury, Saturday 12 May 1877, page 2
Mercury, Tuesday 8 October 1878, page 3
Weekly Examiner, Saturday 12 October 1878, page 21
Mercury, Tuesday 29 October 1878, page 2
Henslowe, Dorothea I and Hurburgh, Isa. Our heritage of Anglican churches in Tasmania / by Dorothea I. Henslowe ; sketches by Isa Hurburgh s.n [S.l. 1978
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