The large plaque on this wall gives the Laws of the Order of Knights. The Order of Knights was founded by Reverend Bray of Hurstville so that the boys and men of the Methodist Church might realise the fellowship of a common ideal of service. The Methodist Order of Knights began in the Sunday School at Hurstville, New South Wales, in October 1914. In June, 1917, it was adopted by the Young People’s Department of the New South Wales conference. The Order spread rapidly throughout the Commonwealth, the General Court of Australasia first meeting in 1930. Five years later it received the official recognition of the General Conference of the Church. So widespread and so rapid was its development that in 1939, the year of its Silver Jubilee, it was firmly established in all States of the Commonwealth, and it was re-organised in junior and senior sections.
Today it has a membership of many thousands in Australasia, and has been introduced to English Methodism by a young member serving there during the war. The Order of Knights is one of the many youth movements of the Young People’s Department, which seeks to develop in the best ways the various phases of a young man’s make-up. To do this a four-square programme is used, headed devotional, social, intellectual and physical. Young men from the age of fifteen years may apply for membership if they are members or adherents of the Church. INDEX
22. FREDERICK MEMORIAL
Further along the North wall is this large memorial tablet to Bernard Frederick (1870 – 1958), who was a greatly loved minister of the Queensland Methodist Church for 62 years. His wife Ethel Catherine Frederick (1880 – 1951) is also remembered
23. THE WHOLE NORTH WALL
Looking at the North wall from a distance, we see how it connects to the shallow North transept. It is a little difficult to appreciate this transept, as the Western end is given over to a children’s area involving a green leafy pergola!
24. TO THE NORTH TRANSEPT
A closer inspection reveals a dramatic fanlight above the North exit door. We also see one set of four stained glass lancet windows in the North transept, and four memorial tablets on the end wall. The fanlight shows a rising sun with rays reaching out to a border of sheaves of grain. At centre is a cross and crown, and the text, the words of Jesus, ‘I am the Bread of Life’ (John 6:35).
25. NORTH TRANSEPT WINDOW
The four stained glass windows in the transept also have a Eucharistic theme. Three of them show vines with bunches of grapes, and the fourth depicts Jesus with the text: ‘I am the True Vine; you are the branches.’ The window is given in memory of: ‘Beloved Brother H. Green O.B.E. (1879 – 1968).
26. RUTLEDGE AND BARNES MEMORIALS
On the East wall of the transept are these two memorial tablets. ••• The first remembers Sir Arthur Rutledge K.C. (1843 – 1917) and his wife Dame Mary Thomas Rutledge (1848 – 1908). They were members of this Church for many years, and he was a Trustee. ••• The second memorial is for Hon. Walter Henry Barnes M.L.A. (1858 – 1933), for many years a Member, Trustee and Treasurer of this Church. A later addition was a tablet for his wife Katherine Florence Barnes (1869 – 1958).
27. NASH AND YOUNGMAN MEMORIALS
To the right of the doorway are a further two Memorial tablets. ••• The first is for George Nash O.B.E, B.A. (1905 – 2003), Superintendant and Minister of this Church (1952 – 1975). An eloquent preacher, a compassionate pastor and wise administrator. His wife Marjorie Eleanor Nash (1914 –2004) is also remembered.
28. SOUTHEAST CORNER
We move across the Church to view the Southeast corner / transept. In particular we note that there are four more plaques attached to the East wall on this side. Also, looking carefully at the left side of this view, we see the stained timber casing of the baptismal font, almost hidden from view. This is a contrast to many churches where the font is given a position of importance.
29. ROWE AND WHELLER MEMORIALS
We look at the four memorial plaques, from left to right. ••• The first remembers George Edwards Rowe (1858 – 1926) – a migrant from Cornwall. He was minister of this Church for twenty years. He receives a worthy epitaph. His wife Marian is also remembered. ••• Next is another memorial, this one for Harold Manuel Wheller O.B.E (1882 – 1978), Minister of this Church 1927 – 1952. It is claimed that he was a powerful influence for righteousness in the city. He was Founder and 40 years Administrator of the Charmside Garden Settlement, and held office in Methodist Organizations. His wife Edith May Wheller is also remembered.
30. BOWES AND PRENTICE MEMORIALS
Beyond the door is a memorial to Rev Joseph Bowes (1852 – 1928) who was minister of this Church 1895 – 1898, preacher and author. ••• The final tablet on this wall remembers Trustee George Prentice and his granddaughter Jessie Blanche Prentice who were both lost in the wreck of the R.M.S. Quetta at Torres Straits on Feb 28th 1890.
31. SOUTH TRANSEPT
Here is a different view of the South transept. It shows two groups of four stained glass windows, some displayed painted stations of the cross, a plaque, and the West door of the transept with its colourful fanlight.
32. SOUTH TRANSEPT WINDOWS EAST
We first examine the four windows at left. The two outer lancets depict vines with bunches of grapes. The two inner lancets show Jesus teaching by the Sea of Galilee. The windows are in memory of E.T. Campbell.
33. SOUTH TRANSEPT WINDOWS WEST
Stained glass windows are often used to illustrate Biblical stories. This window illustrates the story of the Book of Ruth. When Naomi’s husband dies, she urges her widowed daughters-in-law to return to their families. Ruth asks to stay, and promises never to leave Naomi.
34. STATIONS OF THE CROSS I
There are the first six Stations of the Cross on display in this transept. Here are the first three. From left we have: Jesus is condemned to the Cross; Jesus is nailed to the Cross; (in fact) Jesus falls for the first time. The 14 Stations of the Cross depict the events as Jesus makes his way to Calvary. They are normally displayed on the walls of a church, so that the Christian faithful can make a spiritual pilgrimage through contemplating the Passion of Christ.
35. STATIONS OF THE CROSS II
Although the next three Stations are labelled 4, 5 and 6, they are actually Station 12 – 14. Seen here are: Jesus dies on the Cross; Jesus is taken down from the Cross; and the body of Jesus is placed in the sepulchre. We shall see shortly that these paintings are by Cees Sliedrecht.
36. BRENTNALL PLAQUE AND STATIONS INFORMATION
The plaque on the South wall remembers Elizabeth Brentnall who died in 1909, and Frederick Thomas Brentnall who was appointed minister of this Church in 1873, and was Founder of the Queensland Methodist Loan Fund and Book Depot. He died in 1925. It is interesting that wife Elizabeth is given first place!
37. FANLIGHT
The fanlight window on the West door of the transept features a crown and a lily. The lily – usually a white lily – is mentioned many times in the Bible. It symbolizes purity, rebirth, new beginnings and hope and is most often associated with the resurrection of Jesus Christ as observed on Easter.
39. SMITH AND KNOWLES MEMORIALS
The first memorial is for Frederick Richard (Dick) Smith (1906 – 1995) who was a major in the Total Australian Artillery. He also had a long involvement with this Church. ••• At right is a memorial to Samuel Knowles (1857 – 1954), who was a member, treasurer, Sunday School superintendent and Senior Trustee of this Church. Also remembered are his wife Emily Ann (died 1924), and son Reginald Vernon (1899 – 1979).
40. SOUTH WINDOWS I
Th following windows on this wall have a knights theme – in line with The Order of Knights organization. The first triple of windows in the South wall shows Jesus at centre as Light if the World. The picture is based on the famous painting by William Holman Hunt illustrating Rev 3:20 ‘Behold I stand at the door and knock. At left is Sir Lancelot with the text: ‘Strength and Will to a man will (?) right the wrong.’ At right we see Sir Tristram with text ‘And honour for God the King’. The windows were given in memory of F/O Bruce Lionel Poole R.A.A.F., Killed in Action Northern Australia, 27 January 1945.