General Chat

The above church, which is reputed to be the smallest church in Australia, is a wooden stucture originally built as a workman's cottage.

It has been used as a church since 1848.

On my early morning walk this morning, I passed the church and the whole front was lying all over the ground.

It looks as though a car has hit it.

The damage looks bad but I do hope that it can be restored as it has been a big tourist attraction and is just over the road from Henton cottage, another iconic structure.

A new church was built some years ago just to the side and rear of the old wooden one so I do hope that the Anglican Authorities do not decide on total demoltion :-(

How many seats is it if it is smallest church, Allan.

Must be saved as it is a real part of Oz history.

In Colwyn Bay, there is the smallest church in Wales. It is a fisherman's church just above shore and I think it seats 12. Still have services there. :-)

Edit. St Trillo's chapel seats 6-9.

Oh, Allan, that's so sad

x

not sure of seating but size approx 8 metres x 3 metres

So sad Allan...........just a wooden shed to most people.

here's a link with picture.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~alindfhs/localhistor.htm

John..........excoose me for asking but............who is that person on your avatar??

PH It is me about 10 years ago. Think I am even better looking now :-D

Did you see my quick flash of Christmas moon to match you? Just didn't think it gave me the gravitas that I needed for serious threads like this ;-)

What a shame Allan - it's dreadful when a piece of history is lost.

Is that the church in Rhos on Sea, John? If so I've been there and it's very tiny.

PH It is me about 10 years ago. Think I am even better looking now

I bloomin ope so.... ;-)

Yes, Sue. I am not sure though it is that much smaller than Australind St Nick. I suppose 4m or 5m long perhaps rather than 8m - but there would be a lovely atmosphere in a tiny place like St Nicks and I hope Australind can rebuild.

If there was a place like St Fagan in Westen Australia (St Fagan is the Welsh folk museum) it might be good to rebuild it there.

I haven't seen St Nicholas but the church in Rhos on Sea wouldn't have held more than half a dozen people.

that's a shame Allan

John - best put the vague Christmas avatar back - much better as you can't see what it is - there are people of a sensitive nature on these boards and it is late at night :-D

Thanks Mr Magoo.

I used to be a member of the Australind Family History Society so I still have their webpage.

John as WA is a very 'recent' State, first real interest was in about 1827 when a very small fleet set ail for what is now Albany to forestall a perceived French Interest in the West.

It was for a few years regarded as a NSW territory until further exploration took people to the Swan River in what is now Perth and Fremantle, when it became known as the Swan River Colony.

So we don't have many truly historical buildings, at least as people in the UK and Europe would know them.

AnnC I am the only one brave enough on this thread to show myself as nature intended. Can't find a more recent or more flattering photo :-(

Sue.I used to live in Rhos on sea and now live quite near and yes...St Trillos chapel is the smallest church in Britain.It is built over a 6 th century well named after the Saint..google it and you will see.
When did you go there?..They still hold services in it .It is almost in the beach and people post messages on the altar for prayers.It is so hidden that you can go along the prom and miss it.

Brenda - we were there last year. We drove along the North Coast of Wales. Just love the area.

Just along the prom in Rhos there used to be the boundary between Denbighshire and Caernarfonshire. You could literally hop from one county to another and back again.

And just across the road is the little jetty where Prince Madoc sailed from in 1170AD. He was the first discoverer of America.

And George Washington had no relations that ever lived in Sulgrave Manor in Northamptonshire. But don't want to re-write American history.

That's an awful shame Allan, I hope they rebuilt it in situ.

John's suggestion about moving it to a living museum site would a) destroy it's history in it's original surroundings and the local history attached to it and b) cost an arm and a leg!

Sue

Hi Sue

Actually, moving some of the earlier properties/buildings is relatively simple as most are on stumps. There are may firms specializing in relocating properties.

However, I do agree that moving it would destory a little historic precinct in Australind. Just opposite the church is Henton Cottage which has had many uses over the years including as an Inn. and a street back is Upton House, which is the earliest Brick built building in Australind and was built by the Clifton Family, who were part of the original settlement.

If you visit Mr Magoo's link above, it will take you to the Australind Family History Society website which contains a brief but fascinating history of Australind, including pictures of the various buildings

Regards

Allan

Oh Sue,do you mean 2011? I was rather busy then as my husband was very ill and died in August that year.
If you visit again let me know!
Alan,I hope they do repair the church,it is such a shame to lose history.