We acknowledge the traditional owners of this land, the Boon wurrung people, a part of the Kulin nation, and we pay our respect to their ancestors and their elders.
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Rye and
Sorrento have been part of the land of the Boon wurrung people for many thousands of
years. The Boon wurrung are now acknowledged as the traditional owners of this land. Information about their beliefs, way of life and interaction with the
early European settlers can be found at the Nepean Historical Society in
Melbourne Road Sorrento and the Collins Settlement Information Centre on Point Nepean Road (approx 500m
past Hughes Rd. Melway 157: F10)
“Boon wurrung – People of the Port Philip District” and other informative books by author and local resident Richard Cotter
are available from the Nepean Historical Society.
Sorrento is the site of the first European settlement in Victoria.
In 1802 the Lady Nelson under
the command of John Murray was sent from Sydney to explore Port Philip Bay as a
potential place for settlement.
In 1803 the Calcutta and the
supply ship Ocean were sent from
Portsmouth England under the command of Lieutenant-Governor David Collins. They
arrived at Sullivan Bay Sorrento on 9th October 1803.
The party, which
included some women and children, comprised 300 convicts, with marines,
officials, a few free settlers and the Reverend Robert Knopwood who conducted the
first church service on 23rd October 1803 when the reading of Psalm
139 must have been particularly meaningful.
“If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost
parts of the sea,
even there thy hand shall lead me”.
The settlement was shortlived and by the end of May 1804 had been
relocated to the Derwent River in Tasmania. Some graves remain at the site which is marked by a monument and the Collins Settlement Information Centre on Point Nepean Road (approx 500m
past Hughes Rd. Melway 157: F10).
William Buckley - the escaped convict has become legendary. He followed the shoreline
until arriving at Point Lonsdale he saw the ships opposite and realised he had
circled Port Philip Bay. He lived with Aborigines until Europeans returned to
found the settlement of Melbourne on the Yarra River in 1835. He is said to be
the origin of the expression “Buckley’s chance”.
John Pascoe Fawkner - the 11 year old son of a Collins Settlement convict also became
legendary returning from Tasmania to become one of the founders of Melbourne.
Melbourne
was established in 1835 and as it grew, especially after the discovery of gold
in 1851, lime was needed for an ambitious building program. Limestone was
plentiful in the Nepean district, and so quarrying it, burning it in wood-fired
kilns and shipping the resulting lime to Melbourne became the first industry of
Rye and Sorrento.
From the 1870s onward, due largely to the efforts of parliamentarian
and entrepreneur George Coppin, Sorrento gained a reputation as a tourist
destination for citizens of Melbourne arriving on excursion steamers to enjoy the
cooler summer climate, and was also regarded as a healthy place for rest cures.
It was Coppin who proposed the name of Sorrento. The Nepean Historical Society
has a wealth of information about this era.
The
Anglican Parish of Sorrento and Rye began as part of the Parochial District of
Mornington and was originally under the patronage of the Church of England
Diocese of Melbourne and the Presbyterian Pastoral Aid Society.
More information is provided in "On Eagles Wings A History of the Anglican Parish of Sorrento-Rye" compiled by David Wood. Copies are available at both churches.
Circa
1855 Early services in Sorrento
were conducted in the school house by the schoolmaster Josiah Hiskens.
In Rye
services were first held in the original church schoolhouse which was part
limestone part wattle and daub and was used by most denominations.
1872 Bishop
Perry, first bishop of Melbourne, made Sorrento and Rye part of the Mornington
Readers District, and in 1873 appointed Thomas Quinton as Lay Reader for the Southern
Peninsula area under the Vicar of Mornington.
Later
that year John Bracebridge Wilson, headmaster of Geelong Grammar School, who
had a summer house at Sorrento, made a gift of part of his land to the Diocese
of Melbourne, and began raising money to build a church for the benefit of
Sorrento’s “quarrymen and other labourers”.
1875 The nave of the church in
Sorrento was completed and regular services began on 10 January. There is no
known architect, but the builder of the nave was George Morce who used local
limestone.
The
church schoolhouse at Rye was condemned. It was later demolished and plans made
for a new church.
1882 The small church at Rye was
completed using limestone from the schoolhouse plus additional local stone
quarried and donated by James Truman. It consisted of a nave and small chancel
and for 10 years was also used by the Presbyterians.
1886 The Reverend Arthur Pelham
Chase was inducted as the first vicar of the parochial district of Sorrento,
which included Dromana, Rosebud, Rye, Boneo, Flinders and Portsea. It was not
until 1949 that the current Parish of Sorrento – Rye was defined as extending
from Point Nepean to Truemans Road.
1889 The transept
of St John’s Sorrento was completed by George Morce
1901 Now debt free
the church of St Andrew Rye was consecrated on 15th March by the
Bishop of Melbourne, Rt Reverend Field Thomas Goe
1903 Also now debt
free the church of St John Sorrento was consecrated on 16th April by
Rt Reverend Lowther Clarke, third Bishop of Melbourne, who travelled down on the
steamship Hygea to conduct the ceremony.
1911 The chancel
and sanctuary were added to St John’s Church by William Croad and paid for by
the sale of some of the church land.
In 1973 the fellowship room was built adjoining St John’s church. A new
vicarage was constructed on the site of St John’s old hall.
The hall at St Andrew’s Rye was constructed in 1976 to be used as a
worship centre at Christmas and Easter until extensions to the small church
could be agreed to by parishioners, local residents and historical societies.
The extensions were completed in 1981 and created a new worship environment.
All now gathered around the altar, priest and people together. Care was taken
to preserve the historic church as an important part of the building.
St John’s Church is classified by the National Trust of Victoria
The original section of St Andrew’s Church is classified by the National
Trust of Victoria as of historical interest and worthy of preservation.
Special Features of
St John’s Sorrento
Several sculptures carved by Eva Schubert in the 1980s:
The BAPTISM OF JESUS SCULPTURE on the baptistry wall
The PASCAL CANDLESTICK standing by the font (from Easter to Pentecost it stands in the sanctuary)
The CRUCIFIX which hangs over the altar of the 20th Century Martyrs' Chapel, and nearby
The AMNESTY CANDLE dedicated to prisoners of conscience and those whose human rights have been abused
The ANGELS WITH TRUMPETS which support the gradine on the east wall where the altar used to stand
The brass
FONT COVER decorated with vine leaves was made in 1983 by John Marshall, a
former churchwarden. It speaks symbolically of our incorporation into Christ,
the true vine, through our baptism.
The PIPE
ORGAN in the south transept, is one of the oldest pipe organs in Australia
dating from the 1850s. Its builder is unknown but may have been John Smith of
Bristol. Given to St John’s in 1924 in memory of Sarah Ann Langford, it would
have come from a great home in England. It is a one-manual and pedal instrument
with mechanical action and seven speaking stops.
The
PRINCE CONSORT WINDOW is also in this transept. The gift of Queen Victoria in
memory of her husband Prince Albert, it was originally intended for Saint
Paul’s Church Melbourne. It would not fit Saint Paul’s Cathedral which replaced
that church. Canon Chase, the father of our first vicar, arranged for it to be
given to Saint John’s in 1886. It is a fine example of nineteenth century
stained glass, and depicts the three kings of Judah who did “that which was
right in the eyes of the Lord,” David, Hezekiah, and Josiah.
The
SANCTUARY LAMP which hangs above the altar is a sign of the eternal presence of
God among the people of God. It was given by the Roman Catholic parish of
Sorrento to mark the historic visit in 1982 of the pope to Canterbury Cathedral
to pray with the archbishop of Canterbury. The lamp features the eagle, the
symbol of Saint John, and was designed and made by John Marshall.
The
TAPESTRY PEW KNEELERS were individually created by a group of
parish needleworkers.
The WAYSIDE CROSS, made of red gum in the form of a celtic cross,
was erected in 2002 on the road way in front of the church.
Special Features of
St Andrew’s Rye
The PIONEER WINDOWS - immediately behind the altar depicting St Peter
and St Andrew, these were presented to the church at Easter 1925 by Misses B
and M Stenniken to commemorate the pioneers of Rye.
The TWO LARGE WINDOWS which flank the altar are the most striking
features of the extended church. These glass murals are the creation of local
lead light artist Daryl Buchanan.
The ORIGINAL ALTAR CROSS is now mounted on the prayer desk in the nave.
This is a memorial to Mrs Sarah Moat, the first woman to be married at St
Andrew’s.
The CHRISTUS REX (Christ the King) suspended above the altar was
sculptured by artist Eva Schubert and installed in 1984.
Much of THE FURNITURE in the church now, including the Font, Altar,
Pews and Lecturn, is the work of former parishioner John Carl
Feldtman(1908-1996).
TWO SMALL CROSSES are located in the church. The wooden cross made of
wood taken from Canterbury Cathedral, is the gift of Marion Wallace. The bronze
cross comes from the catacombs of Rome and is the gift of Rev’d David Wood.
A fine TAPESTRY OF THE LAST SUPPER worked by Lillian Irons hangs above
the side exit.
The HOLY FAMILY WOOD CARVING which hangs above the prayer desk was
carved by Velislav Georgieu and is on permanent loan to the church.
The MOTHER AND CHILD IKON which faces the altar was a gift from the
Community of the Holy Name.
The PAINTING behind the altar is the work of E.R. Hopkins and represents
The Tree of Life which has become the symbol of our Parish. Spirituality is the
trunk which nurtures the whole. The leaves and branches are the interacting
themes of creativity, hospitality and justice. Through them we grow and reach
out beyond ourselves to offer welcome, love and life to others.
Rye and
Sorrento have been part of the land of the Boon wurrung people for many thousands of
years. The Boon wurrung are now acknowledged as the traditional owners of this land.
the escaped convict has become legendary. He followed the shoreline
until arriving at Point Lonsdale he saw the ships opposite and realised he had
circled Port Philip Bay. He lived with Aborigines until Europeans returned to
found the settlement of Melbourne on the Yarra River in 1835. He is said to be
the origin of the expression “Buckley’s chance”.
Melbourne
was established in 1835 and as it grew, especially after the discovery of gold
in 1851, lime was needed for an ambitious building program. Limestone was
plentiful in the Nepean district, and so quarrying it, burning it in wood-fired
kilns and shipping the resulting lime to Melbourne became the first industry of
Rye and Sorrento.
e PIPE
ORGAN in the south transept, is one of the oldest pipe organs in Australia
dating from the 1850s. Its builder is unknown but may have been John Smith of
Bristol. Given to St John’s in 1924 in memory of Sarah Ann Langford, it would
have come from a great home in England. It is a one-manual and pedal instrument
with mechanical action and seven speaking stops.
.