No. 1651 - Snug - St John's Anglican Church (1927-1967)
Snug is situated on the Channel Highway, approximately 25 kilometres south of Hobart. The name is believed to have come from sailors who found 'snug' anchorage for their ships. The earliest settler, John Dunn (1790-1861), took up a land grant on ‘Snug River’ in 1837. Around the 1840s and 1850s a small settlement was established at what was then called “The Snug” or “Snug River”.
On Wednesday 23 February 1927, the foundation stone of St John’s Anglican church was ceremonially laid. An article published in the Hobart Mercury reveals some interesting details about the building:
“The foundation stone of an Anglican Church at Snug was laid yesterday, in the presence of a large number of persons. The ceremony was performed, by Mr. K. W. G. Shoobridge, of New Town, and addresses were also given by Ven. Arch-deacon Richard and the rector of the parish (Rev. W. A. Best).
The site for the building is the generous gift of Mr. A. H. Bisdee, of Snug, and the plans provide for an attractive little country church. The contract price is £225, of which £45 has been paid: The fund is in credit to the amount of £205, and another £13 was laid on the stone yesterday. The dimensions of the building will be 30 x 22ft., excluding the chancel. Mr. William Bylett has undertaken to be responsible for the cost of the roof. There will be two stained glass windows, which formerly were used by St. Clement's Church in Kingston. It is the hope of each family in the district to be able to provide a seat for the church, thus showing their practical sympathy with the project, and already articles of furniture have been received. The nave is nearly finished, and it is anticipated that the church will be opened in about a month.
Mr. Shoobridge, in laying tho foundation stone, said he noted with great satisfaction the energy with which the people of Snug had entered into the project for building their church, and he was pleased that he had been asked to place the stone in position. It was the fourth foundation stone of a church he had laid in four years. The people were to be congratulated upon the tasteful design, and he hoped their building fund would be fully subscribed….”
Construction was completed on time and the church was officially opened and dedicated on Sunday 3 April 1927. The Mercury reported:
“The new Anglican Church of St. John at Snug was dedicated by the Bishop of Tasmania (Dr. R. Snowdon Hay) yesterday afternoon, in the presence of a large congregation, which, besides local residents, included visitors from neighbouring districts in the Kingston parish, in which the church is incorporated. The church is a substantial little building of weatherboard, and stands on a partly cleared site off the road that leads to the beach, which is about two hundred yards further on. It is almost complete, but some of the equipment has yet to be Installed.
Dr. Hay led the service of dedication, and he was supported by the Rev. W. A. B. Best, rector of Kingston.The seating facilities were not sufficient to accommodate the large congregation, and as a result many had to stand at the rear of the church.
The church and its parts having been dedicated in accordance with the traditional observance of solemn rites, the Bishop delivered an address. He congratulated the people of the district on the consummation of their work. The erection of a church in their midst, he said, had long been in their thoughts and it was good to observe the fine spirit that had actuated them in the undertaking, and the success that had so far attended their efforts. He assured them that the Church of England was deeply appreciative of the keenness and enthusiasm of the people of the Snug district…”.
In the summer of 1967, St John’s was one of over 20 churches lost in the bushfires which raged across southern Tasmania. The town of Snug was badly hit by the fires, with 80 homes, shops, churches, farms and mills burnt down. Nine people lost their lives.
On Wednesday 23 February 1927, the foundation stone of St John’s Anglican church was ceremonially laid. An article published in the Hobart Mercury reveals some interesting details about the building:
“The foundation stone of an Anglican Church at Snug was laid yesterday, in the presence of a large number of persons. The ceremony was performed, by Mr. K. W. G. Shoobridge, of New Town, and addresses were also given by Ven. Arch-deacon Richard and the rector of the parish (Rev. W. A. Best).
The site for the building is the generous gift of Mr. A. H. Bisdee, of Snug, and the plans provide for an attractive little country church. The contract price is £225, of which £45 has been paid: The fund is in credit to the amount of £205, and another £13 was laid on the stone yesterday. The dimensions of the building will be 30 x 22ft., excluding the chancel. Mr. William Bylett has undertaken to be responsible for the cost of the roof. There will be two stained glass windows, which formerly were used by St. Clement's Church in Kingston. It is the hope of each family in the district to be able to provide a seat for the church, thus showing their practical sympathy with the project, and already articles of furniture have been received. The nave is nearly finished, and it is anticipated that the church will be opened in about a month.
Mr. Shoobridge, in laying tho foundation stone, said he noted with great satisfaction the energy with which the people of Snug had entered into the project for building their church, and he was pleased that he had been asked to place the stone in position. It was the fourth foundation stone of a church he had laid in four years. The people were to be congratulated upon the tasteful design, and he hoped their building fund would be fully subscribed….”
Construction was completed on time and the church was officially opened and dedicated on Sunday 3 April 1927. The Mercury reported:
“The new Anglican Church of St. John at Snug was dedicated by the Bishop of Tasmania (Dr. R. Snowdon Hay) yesterday afternoon, in the presence of a large congregation, which, besides local residents, included visitors from neighbouring districts in the Kingston parish, in which the church is incorporated. The church is a substantial little building of weatherboard, and stands on a partly cleared site off the road that leads to the beach, which is about two hundred yards further on. It is almost complete, but some of the equipment has yet to be Installed.
Dr. Hay led the service of dedication, and he was supported by the Rev. W. A. B. Best, rector of Kingston.The seating facilities were not sufficient to accommodate the large congregation, and as a result many had to stand at the rear of the church.
The church and its parts having been dedicated in accordance with the traditional observance of solemn rites, the Bishop delivered an address. He congratulated the people of the district on the consummation of their work. The erection of a church in their midst, he said, had long been in their thoughts and it was good to observe the fine spirit that had actuated them in the undertaking, and the success that had so far attended their efforts. He assured them that the Church of England was deeply appreciative of the keenness and enthusiasm of the people of the Snug district…”.
In the summer of 1967, St John’s was one of over 20 churches lost in the bushfires which raged across southern Tasmania. The town of Snug was badly hit by the fires, with 80 homes, shops, churches, farms and mills burnt down. Nine people lost their lives.
St John's church was replaced in 1969 by a modern brick building designed by Harry Oldmeadow.
Sources:
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| The opening and dedication of St John's took place Sunday 3 April 1927 - Photograph: Anglican Diocese of Tasmania |
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| The ceremonial laying of the foundation stone on Wednesday 23 February 1927 - Photograph: Anglican Diocese of Tasmania |
Mercury, Thursday 24 February 1927, page 3
Mercury, Monday 4 April 1927, page 3
Stephens, Geoffrey & Anglican Church of Australia. Diocese of Tasmania, (issuing body.) The Anglican Church in Tasmania : a Diocesan history to mark the sesquicentenary, 1992. Trustees of the Diocese, Hobart, 1991.
Mercury, Monday 4 April 1927, page 3
Stephens, Geoffrey & Anglican Church of Australia. Diocese of Tasmania, (issuing body.) The Anglican Church in Tasmania : a Diocesan history to mark the sesquicentenary, 1992. Trustees of the Diocese, Hobart, 1991.
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