Anglican Church of St John The Evangelist.
This is the second church built on this site.
The foundation stone of the first was laid 19 October 1839 by Colonel Gawler, the second Governor of South Australia, and opened 24 October 1841 on the site presented by the late Mr Osmond Gilles. It was condemned as unsafe and demolished after last service 21 November 1886. Its materials were used for St Mary Magdalene Mission Church in Moore Street, Adelaide.
The present church, St John’s Anglican was built to the design of architect Robert Garlick Holwell. The foundation stone was laid 14 May 1887.
The ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the new Church of St John, Halifax Street, was performed on Saturday by Bishop Kennion in the presence of a good congregation. The building contract amounts to £2,444, and about £1,000 has still to be collected. Ref: Adelaide Observer (SA) 21 May 1887.
The new Church of St John, Halifax Street, will be consecrated tomorrow by Bishop Kennion. The building, which is in every way a thorough Anglican church, is designed in the early English style, strongly reminding one of the old country churches at home. The interior is very striking, the large nave, the lofty open-timbered roof, the bold arch to chancel, the unique chancel with its handsome reredos, sedilice, and credence, the pure treatment in matters of detail, combine to make the church one of the finest in the colony. Ref: Express and Telegraph (Adelaide SA) Wednesday 5 October 1887.
An Old Church
St John’s, Halifax Street
The seventieth anniversary of the foundation of St. John's Church, Halifax Street, was celebrated in the parish hall on Tuesday evening. It took in the form of a social, to which all the past and present parishioners were invited. There was a large attendance, over whom the Dean of Adelaide (Very Rev G E Young) presided.
The Chairman remarked that he had had a good deal to do with St John's Church. He had been well acquainted with some of the incumbents, and had known the present rector for many years. This church had made great progress. It was the only one in South Australia which had an Act of Parliament of its own. If they could get rid of this Act he thought the church would do better. At one time he was much concerned as to the choice of the new rector, but when he heard the names of the men who were to compose the committee he felt more at ease. It was the choice of such a strong committee that gave him relief. The church had a fine record to look back upon, and he failed to see why it should not even be better in the future.
The Mayor of Adelaide (Mr Frank Johnson) said loyalty was the key-note of success in all religious work. He took a keen interest in the church, because in his younger days he had been associated with the Young Men's Society in connection with it. He was born near by, and had lived in the vicinity all his life. The church was managed by its own officers, and had the privilege of electing its own pastor.
The Rev J Farrell, who afterwards was the first Dean of Adelaide, opened the church. Mr Farrell came from England to take charge of St John's, and the foundation stone had only just been laid when he arrived. Owing to a difficulty in obtaining a rector in 1843 the church was closed, and remained so until 1846, when the Rev W J Woodcock became rector. In 1848 Bishop Short consecrated the church, and in the same year, the Sunday-school was opened.
In the following year Mr Woodcock resigned, and Archdeacon Hale MA, acted as pastor. Later he was appointed Bishop of Perth, and afterwards Bishop of Queensland. In 1851 the Rev P Wilson MA, was appointed rector, but he became head-master of St Peter's College in the following year.
The Rev J C Bagshaw MA, took charge in November, 1852, and resigned three years later. The Rev A R Russell filled the vacancy, and remained until 1859. In the following year the Rev J Stuart Jackson was pastor for two months. The Rev D J H Ibbetson was rector from 1860 until his death in 1871, when the Rev J T Smyth MA, succeeded him. Three years later he resigned, and the vacancy was filled by the Rev. F. Slaney Poole, M.A. In October, 1880, the parish hall was opened, and in May, 1884, the new parsonage was completed. In 1866 three classrooms on the east side were erected, and the church was incorporated by a private Act of Parliament. The old church was demolished and the foundation stone of the Mission Church was laid by Bishop Kennion. In 1895 Canon Hopcraft became rector and remained so until his death.
It was then that Mr Hewgill took charge.
From 1839 to 1874 there were nine rectors, whilst during the next 34 years there were only two. Of the 12 ministers (including Mr Hewgill) eight had been masters of arts. Ref: Advertiser (Adelaide SA) Wednesday 20 October 1909.
