No. 1634 - Fern Tree - St Raphael's Anglican Church (1893) - 'Mothers of the Church'
Fern Tree is a suburb of Hobart located on the eastern side of Mount Wellington, about 8 kilometres from the city centre. It is named after the ‘Fern Tree Inn’ established in August 1861 by Alfred Hall, a local landowner. The Inn took its name from the ‘tree fern’ (Dicksonia antarctica) which are found in abundance in the area. St Raphael’s is the only church built at Fern Tree.
Anglican services were first held at “St Chad’s”, the summer home of Alfred Mault and his two daughters, Agnes and Martha [1]. The home of Miss Sarah Hall, of Fern Tree Inn, was also used for services.
In January 1892 a “strawberry festival and cake fair” was held at the Fern Tree Bower in aid of a building fund for an Anglican church. The success of the festival resulted in it becoming annual fundraising event, known as the Fern Tree “Strawberry Feast”, which continued to be held well into the 1940s. Two sites were offered for a church, one by Mrs. Dunkley of Leslie Farm, and the other by Mrs Emily Dobson [2], wife of Henry Dobson [3], the 17th premier of Tasmania (1892-1894). At the time the Dobson’s owned a property at Fern Tree, “The Chalet”, as well as the land of the Fern Tree Bower, a popular tourist attraction. Of the two sites, the latter was chosen for the church as it was on the Huon Road and in a central location. In addition to the gift of land the Dobson’s donated £50 towards the church building fund.
In July 1892 the foundation stone for St Raphael’s was officially laid by Mrs Emily Dobson. Mrs Dobson was a prominent figure in philanthropy work in Hobart and became secretary of the Women's Sanitary Association, founded to fight an outbreak of typhoid in Hobart in the early 1890s. She founded the ‘Ministering Children's League’ and also established the Girl Guides' Association of Tasmania.
The church’s foundation stone laying ceremony was prominently reported by the Hobart Mercury:
“Within the past few years there has been a large increase in the number of residents in this district, and of late the necessity for a proper place of worship in connection with the Anglican Church has been much felt. Especially was that the case in the summer months, when the place is usually frequented by visitors from all parts of the colonies, by whom in future the presence of a comfortable church will be much appreciated, and it will no doubt act as an additional attraction in taking others to this lovely spot. The people themselves have been very energetic in the movement, and when it was decided to erect a chapel of ease to All Saints' parish, Hobart, Mrs. Henry Dobson kindly presented a piece of ground for a site, and she and her husband helped financially as well. The position selected for the church is almost opposite the Fern Tree Inn on the Huon-road. It is to be a weatherboard structure, with a stone foundation, 51ft. long, by, 18ft. broad, and 21ft. in height, with a tower 30ft. high, and a porch and vestry facing the road. The style chosen is Gothic, and while there is nothing pretentious about the design, it is very neat, and the accommodation provided will be more than sufficient for the district for several years to come. It will cost in all about £200, and is expected to be finished in two months”.
“Special 'buses were run from Hobart on Saturday for the convenience of those desirous of taking part in the ceremony. Among those present were Dean Dundas, as Administrator of the Diocese in the absence of the Bishop, Canon Banks-Smith, Revs. S. Bucknell, G. A. Breguet, H, F. Plant, F, H. Copeland, and A. Wayn, and the members of All Saints' choir, who led the choral part of the service. The company assembled at the inn, and the clergy and choir having donned their surplices, they marched across to the site of the new church singing the processional hymn, "Onward Christian Soldiers,”…”.
The church was designed by Alan Cameron Walker [4] and built by local brothers William and Charles Gillham. The building was consecrated in February of the following year. The Mercury reported:
“The Consecration Service, which was conducted by the Bishop, was of an impressive character, the surpliced choir of All Saints Church materially assisting. There was a large congregation. Every inch of room within the Church was taken up, and many failed to get further than the porch…Several breaks and private carriages brought parties up from the city, among the visitors being Rear-Admiral Sir Bowden-Smith and several officers of the Squadron, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Dobson and party, Mrs. C. H. Grant and party, Mr. Lofty, an influential visitor from Albany, and others. It was a charming drive up to Fern Tree on such a day, the extremely picturesque, Swiss-like scenery, and varied panorama en route being seen to the best just now, in the fullness and freshness of the year….”.
In another report, the Mercury revealed that “friends and sympathisers have also been good in presenting gifts of church furniture, and it is understood that Hon. Henry and Mrs. Dobson intend to present a bell for the tower”.
In fact the bell was donated by Henry Dobson’s half-brother, William Lambert Dobson [5], one time Chief Justice of Tasmania; Acting Deputy Governor and Chancellor of the University of Tasmania.
In July 1893 a report in the Mercury records:
“…The new bell, presented by Sir Lambert and Lady Dobson….was rung for the first time. It had been dedicated the previous Sunday…The bell is an excellent one, and its tone is mellow and strong…May its voice ring out among those lovely hills and valleys, and draw the people to the worship of god in their picturesque little church…”.
In 1924 a parish hall was built near to the church on Summerleas Road. This was made possible as a result of a gift of land made in memory of Sarah Hall, “the mother of the church”. The cost of the building was largely met by a bequest from the estate of Agnes Mault. Agnes had met a horrific death in January 1923 from burns from an oil stove in the kitchenette of her Fern Tree summer home.[6] Miss Sarah Hall and the two sisters, Agnes and Martha Mault, had been prominent and active supporters of St Raphael’s since the time of the church’s construction. In 1924 a Credence Table and Altar, carved by Nellie Payne was commissioned in memory of Agnes Mault, on which she is described as “a true neighbour to all”.
The opening of the parish hall in December 1924 is recorded in the Mercury:
“Favoured with a beautiful day, residents of Fern Tree and the surrounding district assembled at Fern Tree on Saturday afternoon to the dedication and blessing of St. Raphael's new parish hall. The hall is a compact structure, and of smart appearance. The contractors were Messrs. Jones Bros., and the architects Messrs. Walker and Johnston. It has been erected at a cost of about £650, the major portion of which has been paid off, there remaining a balance of about £200 owing".
"Prior to the dedication of the hall by the Bishop, the All Saints choir formed up at St. Raphael's Church, and the procession from there to the new building was a most impressive ceremony. Hymns were sung during the procession to the accompaniment of a cornet".
"A brief service was conducted in the hall, and during the rendering of a hymn a collection was taken up, which resulted in £10 15s. 6d. being raised towards the building and furnishing fund".
"The Rev. T. K. Pitt said that twelve months ago the hall, which was now an accomplished fact, had not been thought of. Soon after last years strawberry feast, a gift of land was made, and shortly afterwards it was found that the legacies left by the Misses Agnes and Martha Mault were available, so preliminary preparations were pushed ahead with all possible speed. The hall was dedicated to the memory of Misses Sarah Hall and Agnes and Martha Mault, whose devotion to the work of God would never be forgotten".
"Mr C. W. Grant, M H.A , in moving a vote of thanks to the Bishop, stressed the untiring efforts to further Church work which had been made by the Misses Mault and Hall. Miss Hall, he said, was the mother of the Church in the Fern Tree district. Before a church had been built services used to be held in her own home”.
The Parish Hall was destroyed in the devastating bushfires which ravaged Fern Tree in the summer of 1967. Miraculously, St Raphael’s escaped destruction as it had in the horrendous bushfires of 1898.
St Raphael’s is still used as a church within the Hobart parish of All Saints. In 2018 it was included on a list of Anglican Church properties earmarked for sale to fund abuse victim compensation but this was withdrawn after fierce community opposition.
Anglican services were first held at “St Chad’s”, the summer home of Alfred Mault and his two daughters, Agnes and Martha [1]. The home of Miss Sarah Hall, of Fern Tree Inn, was also used for services.
In January 1892 a “strawberry festival and cake fair” was held at the Fern Tree Bower in aid of a building fund for an Anglican church. The success of the festival resulted in it becoming annual fundraising event, known as the Fern Tree “Strawberry Feast”, which continued to be held well into the 1940s. Two sites were offered for a church, one by Mrs. Dunkley of Leslie Farm, and the other by Mrs Emily Dobson [2], wife of Henry Dobson [3], the 17th premier of Tasmania (1892-1894). At the time the Dobson’s owned a property at Fern Tree, “The Chalet”, as well as the land of the Fern Tree Bower, a popular tourist attraction. Of the two sites, the latter was chosen for the church as it was on the Huon Road and in a central location. In addition to the gift of land the Dobson’s donated £50 towards the church building fund.
In July 1892 the foundation stone for St Raphael’s was officially laid by Mrs Emily Dobson. Mrs Dobson was a prominent figure in philanthropy work in Hobart and became secretary of the Women's Sanitary Association, founded to fight an outbreak of typhoid in Hobart in the early 1890s. She founded the ‘Ministering Children's League’ and also established the Girl Guides' Association of Tasmania.
The church’s foundation stone laying ceremony was prominently reported by the Hobart Mercury:
“Within the past few years there has been a large increase in the number of residents in this district, and of late the necessity for a proper place of worship in connection with the Anglican Church has been much felt. Especially was that the case in the summer months, when the place is usually frequented by visitors from all parts of the colonies, by whom in future the presence of a comfortable church will be much appreciated, and it will no doubt act as an additional attraction in taking others to this lovely spot. The people themselves have been very energetic in the movement, and when it was decided to erect a chapel of ease to All Saints' parish, Hobart, Mrs. Henry Dobson kindly presented a piece of ground for a site, and she and her husband helped financially as well. The position selected for the church is almost opposite the Fern Tree Inn on the Huon-road. It is to be a weatherboard structure, with a stone foundation, 51ft. long, by, 18ft. broad, and 21ft. in height, with a tower 30ft. high, and a porch and vestry facing the road. The style chosen is Gothic, and while there is nothing pretentious about the design, it is very neat, and the accommodation provided will be more than sufficient for the district for several years to come. It will cost in all about £200, and is expected to be finished in two months”.
“Special 'buses were run from Hobart on Saturday for the convenience of those desirous of taking part in the ceremony. Among those present were Dean Dundas, as Administrator of the Diocese in the absence of the Bishop, Canon Banks-Smith, Revs. S. Bucknell, G. A. Breguet, H, F. Plant, F, H. Copeland, and A. Wayn, and the members of All Saints' choir, who led the choral part of the service. The company assembled at the inn, and the clergy and choir having donned their surplices, they marched across to the site of the new church singing the processional hymn, "Onward Christian Soldiers,”…”.
The church was designed by Alan Cameron Walker [4] and built by local brothers William and Charles Gillham. The building was consecrated in February of the following year. The Mercury reported:
“The Consecration Service, which was conducted by the Bishop, was of an impressive character, the surpliced choir of All Saints Church materially assisting. There was a large congregation. Every inch of room within the Church was taken up, and many failed to get further than the porch…Several breaks and private carriages brought parties up from the city, among the visitors being Rear-Admiral Sir Bowden-Smith and several officers of the Squadron, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Dobson and party, Mrs. C. H. Grant and party, Mr. Lofty, an influential visitor from Albany, and others. It was a charming drive up to Fern Tree on such a day, the extremely picturesque, Swiss-like scenery, and varied panorama en route being seen to the best just now, in the fullness and freshness of the year….”.
In another report, the Mercury revealed that “friends and sympathisers have also been good in presenting gifts of church furniture, and it is understood that Hon. Henry and Mrs. Dobson intend to present a bell for the tower”.
In fact the bell was donated by Henry Dobson’s half-brother, William Lambert Dobson [5], one time Chief Justice of Tasmania; Acting Deputy Governor and Chancellor of the University of Tasmania.
In July 1893 a report in the Mercury records:
“…The new bell, presented by Sir Lambert and Lady Dobson….was rung for the first time. It had been dedicated the previous Sunday…The bell is an excellent one, and its tone is mellow and strong…May its voice ring out among those lovely hills and valleys, and draw the people to the worship of god in their picturesque little church…”.
In 1924 a parish hall was built near to the church on Summerleas Road. This was made possible as a result of a gift of land made in memory of Sarah Hall, “the mother of the church”. The cost of the building was largely met by a bequest from the estate of Agnes Mault. Agnes had met a horrific death in January 1923 from burns from an oil stove in the kitchenette of her Fern Tree summer home.[6] Miss Sarah Hall and the two sisters, Agnes and Martha Mault, had been prominent and active supporters of St Raphael’s since the time of the church’s construction. In 1924 a Credence Table and Altar, carved by Nellie Payne was commissioned in memory of Agnes Mault, on which she is described as “a true neighbour to all”.
The opening of the parish hall in December 1924 is recorded in the Mercury:
“Favoured with a beautiful day, residents of Fern Tree and the surrounding district assembled at Fern Tree on Saturday afternoon to the dedication and blessing of St. Raphael's new parish hall. The hall is a compact structure, and of smart appearance. The contractors were Messrs. Jones Bros., and the architects Messrs. Walker and Johnston. It has been erected at a cost of about £650, the major portion of which has been paid off, there remaining a balance of about £200 owing".
"Prior to the dedication of the hall by the Bishop, the All Saints choir formed up at St. Raphael's Church, and the procession from there to the new building was a most impressive ceremony. Hymns were sung during the procession to the accompaniment of a cornet".
"A brief service was conducted in the hall, and during the rendering of a hymn a collection was taken up, which resulted in £10 15s. 6d. being raised towards the building and furnishing fund".
"The Rev. T. K. Pitt said that twelve months ago the hall, which was now an accomplished fact, had not been thought of. Soon after last years strawberry feast, a gift of land was made, and shortly afterwards it was found that the legacies left by the Misses Agnes and Martha Mault were available, so preliminary preparations were pushed ahead with all possible speed. The hall was dedicated to the memory of Misses Sarah Hall and Agnes and Martha Mault, whose devotion to the work of God would never be forgotten".
"Mr C. W. Grant, M H.A , in moving a vote of thanks to the Bishop, stressed the untiring efforts to further Church work which had been made by the Misses Mault and Hall. Miss Hall, he said, was the mother of the Church in the Fern Tree district. Before a church had been built services used to be held in her own home”.
The Parish Hall was destroyed in the devastating bushfires which ravaged Fern Tree in the summer of 1967. Miraculously, St Raphael’s escaped destruction as it had in the horrendous bushfires of 1898.
St Raphael’s is still used as a church within the Hobart parish of All Saints. In 2018 it was included on a list of Anglican Church properties earmarked for sale to fund abuse victim compensation but this was withdrawn after fierce community opposition.
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| St Raphael's Anglican Church - Source: The Mercury |
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| The Annual Strawberry Feast - Tasmanian Mail - [original image here] |
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| Credence Table and Altar, carved by Nellie Payne was commissioned in memory of Agnes Mault, on which she is described as “a true neighbour to all”. Image: Nellie Payne |
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| The grave of Agnes Mault (Cornelian Bay Cemetery) who died tragically in January 1923 Image: Find A Grave |
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| Mrs Emily Dobson - (Who's Who at the 3d International Congress of Women, 1909) |
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| Photograph - Side view of the snow-covered Church of St. Raphael's, Fern Tree, taken by J.W. Beattie - Libraries Tasmania |
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| St Raphael's Church - Postcard Source: https://www.mtwellingtonhistory.com/st-raphaels-church/ |
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| The bell donated by William Lambert Dobson - Image: Colin Chick |
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| Photograph - St Raphael's Church, Fern Tree - Pretyman Family Collection - Libraries Tasmania |
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| 35mm colour transparency - 1967 Hobart Bushfires - Fern Tree - St Raphael's Church of England showing fire damage to surrounding vegetation - Libraries Tasmania |
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| Photograph - Fern Tree - Huon Road - St. Raphael's Anglican Church - carriage with two horses, passengers and three men standing / Photographer E R Ash [glass lantern slide] - Libraries Tasmania |
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| Photograph - Glass negative - Mt Wellington [St Raphael's Church Fern Tree] Ash, Bester and Co (NG2887) - Libraries Tasmania |
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| Photograph - Group standing in front of Fern Tree Inn, Fern Tree - Pretyman Collection - Libraries Tasmania |
Sources and further information:
Tasmanian News, Wednesday 20 January 1892, page 2
Mercury, Monday 25 July 1892, page 3
Mercury, Monday 27 February 1893, page 3
Mercury, Tuesday 11 July 1893, page 2
Daily Telegraph, Monday 17 November 1902, page 2
Tasmanian News, Tuesday 18 November 1902, page 3
Tasmanian News, Thursday 27 May 1909, page 3
Mercury, Monday 28 November 1910, page 4
Mercury, Saturday 1 November 1919, page 6
Tasmanian Mail, 13 January 1921, page 17
Mercury, Thursday 4 January 1923, page 4
World, Monday 8 January 1923, page 6
Mercury, Monday 22 September 1924, page 5
Mercury, Monday 15 December 1924, page 3
https://allsaints-southhobart.org.au/st-raphaels-fern-tree
https://www.mtwellingtonhistory.com/st-raphaels-church/
https://nelliepayne.com/category/churches/
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