No. 1626 - Kamona - Non-denominational Church (1915) "Our Little Church"
Kamona is a rural district approximately 15 kilometres southwest of Scottsdale, situated on the eastern side of the Sideling Range. With the development of the Scottsdale-Branxholm railway in 1909, the area opened up for development. In 1910 the district’s name changed from Billycock Hill to Kamona, which is part of the aboriginal word for “venom", the full word being "kamona moina”.
Kamona’s church was originally a State school built by volunteer labour in 1908. When a new school was built in 1915 the old school building was adapted for use as a church. Over the years it was used as a place of worship by Presbyterians, Methodists, the Salvation Army and by the 1940s as a Gospel Hall. The church was in use well into the mid 1950s. It is not known when religious services ceased or what has become of the building.
There is a surprising number of reports about the Kamona church given the relative isolation of the district and its small population. A small selection of these reports have been reproduced for this article.
Kamona - December 1916
The Methodist Sunday School Anniversary was held on 10th inst. the Rev. Benjafield, from Lilydale, preached in the morning to a large congregation. In the evening, Mr D. McLennon [Presbyterian] conducted the service, the building being packed to its upmost. Special hymns were sung by the children , and much enjoyed by the congregation…”.
Kamona - July 1917
“A very happy and profitable time was spent at Kamona by a large number of people on Friday afternoon and evening last. A special effort was made to obtain new seats and an organ for our little church. In the afternoon it was a grand sight to see a number of men working under the supervision of Mr Parsons, turning out seats in fine style. This working bee was the most enthusiastic it has been the writer's privilege to see.
In the evening a very fine concert was given in the School by local and visiting talent, and was much appreciated by a large audience….This is one of the most successful efforts ever held in Kamona, the takings having exceeded £7. It is proposed to finish the seats by having another working bee at an early date”.
Kamona’s church was originally a State school built by volunteer labour in 1908. When a new school was built in 1915 the old school building was adapted for use as a church. Over the years it was used as a place of worship by Presbyterians, Methodists, the Salvation Army and by the 1940s as a Gospel Hall. The church was in use well into the mid 1950s. It is not known when religious services ceased or what has become of the building.
There is a surprising number of reports about the Kamona church given the relative isolation of the district and its small population. A small selection of these reports have been reproduced for this article.
Kamona - December 1916
The Methodist Sunday School Anniversary was held on 10th inst. the Rev. Benjafield, from Lilydale, preached in the morning to a large congregation. In the evening, Mr D. McLennon [Presbyterian] conducted the service, the building being packed to its upmost. Special hymns were sung by the children , and much enjoyed by the congregation…”.
Kamona - July 1917
“A very happy and profitable time was spent at Kamona by a large number of people on Friday afternoon and evening last. A special effort was made to obtain new seats and an organ for our little church. In the afternoon it was a grand sight to see a number of men working under the supervision of Mr Parsons, turning out seats in fine style. This working bee was the most enthusiastic it has been the writer's privilege to see.
In the evening a very fine concert was given in the School by local and visiting talent, and was much appreciated by a large audience….This is one of the most successful efforts ever held in Kamona, the takings having exceeded £7. It is proposed to finish the seats by having another working bee at an early date”.
Orange Blossoms - Simmons-Ryan - July 1917
A very pretty wedding was celebrated in the Kamona Church on Wednesday afternoon last. The contracting parties were Mr A. E. Simmons, fourth son of the late william Simmons, of Kamona, and Miss E. Ryan, second daughter of Mr James Ryan of Kamona. Mr Herbert Simmons, brother of the bridegroom, acted as best man, and the bride was attended by Miss E. Sweet of Ringarooma Road, and Miss Dolly Simmons, as bridesmaids.....".
Kamona - Harvest Thanksgiving - April 1947
Flowers, fruits, bush foliage, vegetables and grain were the decorations of the little Church at Kamona on Friday night last when the Harvest Thanksgiving Services were held. Rev, Griffin was the preacher, and spoke of the 'spirit' of things, and certainly the spirit of thanksgiving was very manifest in the work done, gifts received, the collection and in the purchase of goods. As a result takings were a record for Kamona, being £8/ 19/3. Harvest hymns were sung. Mrs Howard presided at the organ, and Mr Beech, assisted by Miss Beech and Mr Ron Howard J (sec ), sold the goods. The women of the Church provided a bountiful supper after which the Doxology and prayer closed the meeting”.
Kamona - Social Evening - August 1947
“Recently the Presbyterian and Gospel Hall adherents combined to hold a social evening in aid of funds for repair to organ, books, etc., and on Saturday night last at a social evening, organised by Capt. Daddow of the Salvation Army, a collection taken up was promptly passed on by the Capt. to the same fund. The social last Saturday night was held in the hall and a very happy time was spent by young and old , in games, quiz, community singing, thought reading, recitations and supper. The Capt. is an accomplished piano-accordionist and his playing and singing were features of the evening. Mr Mountney accompanied some pieces with the violin, and a duet made for extra enjoyment. Prayer opened and closed the evening.
Kamona Sunday School Celebrations - March 1950
“The anniversary of the Gospel Hall Sunday School was celebrated, on a recent Sunday. The Church had been nicely decorated with flowers and foliage, and the children sang' special hymns, Mrs. George Jensen helping them at the organ. Misses Betty Davey and Betty Simmon's, senior scholars, sang a duet, and Mr. George Jensen a solo. Mr. Robt. Shearer was the speaker, and after the sermon presented prize books to the children. Betty Simmons won first among the girls,' and Geoff. Jensen first from the boys. The celebrations were continued on Saturday last, when a picnic was held in Mr. P. Jensen's paddock”.
Walsh-Jenson - June 1950
The wedding was celebrated at the Presbyterian Church Kamona,..of Helen Susan Jensen, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A.P. Jensen, Kamona, and John Robert Michael Walsh, son of Mr. and Mrs. M. C. Walsh, Woodlands, Legerwood. The ceremony was performed by Rev. P. L. Howard of Scottsdale….”.
Kamona - Harvest Festival - May 1951
“The Presbyterian Church Harvest Festival was held in the Church on Friday night, conducted by the Rev. Gillin. The Church was pleasantly decorated with flowers, greenery and harvest goods. After a service, the goods were auctioned by. Mr. J. Mountney, assisted by Mr. P. Jensen and Mr. R. Howard. The grand amount £16/7/4 was realised. A duck donated by Mr. Jensen for the person paying the most money for the evening, was won by Mr. R. Austin, and later sold for Church funds, making the total a record of £16/19/2, for the evening….”.
Kamona - Harvest Thanksgiving - April 1947
Flowers, fruits, bush foliage, vegetables and grain were the decorations of the little Church at Kamona on Friday night last when the Harvest Thanksgiving Services were held. Rev, Griffin was the preacher, and spoke of the 'spirit' of things, and certainly the spirit of thanksgiving was very manifest in the work done, gifts received, the collection and in the purchase of goods. As a result takings were a record for Kamona, being £8/ 19/3. Harvest hymns were sung. Mrs Howard presided at the organ, and Mr Beech, assisted by Miss Beech and Mr Ron Howard J (sec ), sold the goods. The women of the Church provided a bountiful supper after which the Doxology and prayer closed the meeting”.
Kamona - Social Evening - August 1947
“Recently the Presbyterian and Gospel Hall adherents combined to hold a social evening in aid of funds for repair to organ, books, etc., and on Saturday night last at a social evening, organised by Capt. Daddow of the Salvation Army, a collection taken up was promptly passed on by the Capt. to the same fund. The social last Saturday night was held in the hall and a very happy time was spent by young and old , in games, quiz, community singing, thought reading, recitations and supper. The Capt. is an accomplished piano-accordionist and his playing and singing were features of the evening. Mr Mountney accompanied some pieces with the violin, and a duet made for extra enjoyment. Prayer opened and closed the evening.
Kamona Sunday School Celebrations - March 1950
“The anniversary of the Gospel Hall Sunday School was celebrated, on a recent Sunday. The Church had been nicely decorated with flowers and foliage, and the children sang' special hymns, Mrs. George Jensen helping them at the organ. Misses Betty Davey and Betty Simmon's, senior scholars, sang a duet, and Mr. George Jensen a solo. Mr. Robt. Shearer was the speaker, and after the sermon presented prize books to the children. Betty Simmons won first among the girls,' and Geoff. Jensen first from the boys. The celebrations were continued on Saturday last, when a picnic was held in Mr. P. Jensen's paddock”.
Walsh-Jenson - June 1950
The wedding was celebrated at the Presbyterian Church Kamona,..of Helen Susan Jensen, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A.P. Jensen, Kamona, and John Robert Michael Walsh, son of Mr. and Mrs. M. C. Walsh, Woodlands, Legerwood. The ceremony was performed by Rev. P. L. Howard of Scottsdale….”.
Kamona - Harvest Festival - May 1951
“The Presbyterian Church Harvest Festival was held in the Church on Friday night, conducted by the Rev. Gillin. The Church was pleasantly decorated with flowers, greenery and harvest goods. After a service, the goods were auctioned by. Mr. J. Mountney, assisted by Mr. P. Jensen and Mr. R. Howard. The grand amount £16/7/4 was realised. A duck donated by Mr. Jensen for the person paying the most money for the evening, was won by Mr. R. Austin, and later sold for Church funds, making the total a record of £16/19/2, for the evening….”.
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| A photograph of Billycock Hill (S Spurling photo) in the Kamona district. (c.1900) Libraries Tasmania Item Number LPIC158/1/143 |
Sources:
Daily Telegraph, Monday 21 November 1910, page 7
Examiner, Saturday 3 April 1915, page 6
North-Eastern Advertiser, Friday 23 April 1915, page 2
North-Eastern Advertiser, Tuesday 19 December 1916, page 2
North-Eastern Advertiser, Tuesday 3 July 1917, page 3
North-Eastern Advertiser, Friday 13 July 1917, page 2
Examiner, Friday 31 August 1934, page 5
North-Eastern Advertiser, Tuesday 1 April 1947, page 2
North-Eastern Advertiser, Friday 1 August 1947, page 3
North-Eastern Advertiser, Friday 16 April 1948, page 1
North-Eastern Advertiser, Tuesday 28 March 1950, page 2
Examiner, Friday 2 June 1950, page 12
North-Eastern Advertiser, Friday 11 May 1951, page 4
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