21. BEHOLD THE MAN

For many years, the only church available to the people who made their homes along the length of the River Murray in South Australia, was the little floating church aboard the paddle steamer ‘Eltona’. She was built at Milang in 1899 to replace a smaller craft that had become too small for its purpose. The brass plate below the panel reads: This devotional panel, formerly used behind the altar of the P. S. ‘Eltona’ in its ministry to the people of the River Murray was presented by the Diocese of Adelaide to the people of the Diocese of the murray on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee at Murray Bridge, 14 May 1995.       PLAN

22. KNEELER

The kneeler at the front of the Cathedral carries the chalice emblem along with symbols of grain and grapes, symbolizing the bread and wine of the Eucharist along with local produce.

23. 1971 PLAQUE

Rev Ross Davies became Parish Priest in 1999, and was consecrated as Bishop in St Peter’s Cathedral, Adelaide, in 2002. He was enthroned as the Third Bishop of the Murray on the following day in the Murray Bridge Town Hall. Straight after this, the church was elevated to the status of Cathedral. The illustrated 1995 plaque commemorates 25 years of ministry in the Diocese of the Murray. The churches of the Diocese are: Christies Beach, Delamere, Happy Valley, Kingston-Robe, Mannum-Mount Pleasant, Millicent - Penola, Morphett Vale, Mount Barker, Mount Gambier, Murraylands, Naracoorte, O'Halloran Hill, Onkaparinga Valley, Pinnaroo, Port Elliot - Goolwa, Riverland, Seaford, Southern Vales, Strathalbyn, Tatiara, Victor Harbor, Waikerie, Yankalilla.

24. OLD BRIDGE

[Church notes taken from ‘The History of the Cathedral’ – Marjorie Wendelborn.] After the first bridge over the Murray was built in 1879, people began to settle in Murray Bridge, but they had nowhere to worship. Monthly services were held in the dining room of the Bridgeport Hotel from 1885. However, the people wanted a church of their own. A new church was built on donated land, and constructed of local stone. The church was consecrated and licensed by the Rt Rev G. W. Kennion in 1887. It was named the Church of St John the Baptist, and was the first church built on the Murray. [Photo: First Bridge across the Murray, 1879 nla.pic-an11893477-19-v.jpeg]

25. 1874 MURRAY BRIDGE WHARF

The Rev William John Bussell was appointed Priest-in-charge of the new church. He became well known for his work with the River Murray Mission, chiefly with the little mission boat, the ‘Eltona’ 1894 – 1912, ministering to the settlers along the river. In that time, Murray Bridge was served by a number of visiting priests. A plaque on the wall of the Sanctuary in the Cathedral is in tribute to his services to the Church. The panel next to it depicting the Head of Christ is from the chapel of the ‘Eltona’. [Photo : Shipping at Murray Bridge ca 1874 State Library of SA : B 7700]

26. 1900 CHURCH INTERIOR

After Rev Bussell left in 1911, there was a succession of short term priests until Rev W. A. Torry came in 1916 and stayed until he retired in 1939. In 1944 the church was led by four young priests (the Brotherhood) under the charge of the Warden, Rev Lionel Renfrey (later to become Asst Bishop in the Diocese of Adelaide). ‘Now we were in for changes. We were to address them as Father. Incense on Sundays became the regular thing. The air was blue, our eyes streamed and our throats suffered. And the people began to leave. Both the wardens resigned and we never saw them or their families again. The Brotherhood moved on after three years.’ [Photo: Interior St John the Baptist Church ca 1900 SLSA B18326]

27. 1925 RAIL BRIDGE

After the Brotherhood moved on, the Rev H. A. Williams came in their stead. Under his calm and benign leadership we began to settle down again, but three years later he sadly suffered from a severe heart attack and died. The Church had begun as a Mission Church, but when Rev Williams came it was upgraded to a Parish Church with him as the first Parish Priest. [Photo : Rail Bridge across the Murray 1925 SLSA : B57359]