The organ arrived in 1986 and was assembled by parishioners Arthur Hidson, Christopher Short, Tom McDermott and Eric Strange. The beautiful wood panelling surround was the work of Frank Forgie. The Service of Dedication took place in 1987. INDEX
The shield was presented to St George’s by the Royal British Legion. The plaque gives a brief history of the organ as outlined in #41.
This is a view of the North wall of the sanctuary. Two sanctuary chairs are in memory of Anna Kopetske Martin. The sanctuary lamp was given in 1976 in memory of George Downing by his wife Mabel.
These four brass plaques are affixed to the North wall of the sanctuary. They are in memory of people who made contributions to the Church, including the public address system, the altar, and the sanctuary lamp. The sanctuary also contains some real brass plate – subscribed to by the congregation – to commemorate the life of Eliza Coombs who died in 1898.
The aumbry is set in the North wall of the sanctuary. It was a gift of the Rev. J. Kinsman in 1986 on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of his Ordination to Holy Orders. The aumbry is where reserved Elements of the Eucharist are kept for use between Sunday services.
North wall: • Risen Christ – commemorating the life of Elizabeth Harris who died in 1913. Donated by her parents. Made by Powell’s of London. • Jesus Mercy – ‘To the Greater Glory of God’. Commemorating the life of Mary Ann Dixon, 1854-1940. Made by Clarkson Adelaide. South wall: • Jesus Mercy – In memory of Rosa Winfield Grace 1851-1940. Made by Clarkson Adelaide. • Faith – In memory of Ada Grace, died 1909. Made by H. L. Vosz. Adelaide.
This view shows the South windows, the wall plaque, and a small retable.
The retable is a small table or shelf used to accommodate the Elements of the Eucharist prior to use. The plaque is in memory of Eliza Coombs, wife of the first rector, who died in 1898.
This attractive three lancet window shows Jesus as The Light of the World, the Ascension, and The Good Shepherd. It was given In memory of Rev. W. H. Coombs, first incumbent of the parish from 1846-1896. The stained glass panels were early works by E. F. Troy 1898. It is interesting that the Holman Hunt painting at left has been reversed here.
These days, larger churches often have a high altar near the East wall, and a nave altar in the crossing. St George’s has this single altar, but there might be space for the officiating priest to stand behind it, facing the congregation? – or perhaps not!
Cross and candle seem to be good identifying symbols for Christianity: the candle depicting Jesus as the Light of the World, and the Cross signifying his redeeming death.
This large stone cross was given in memory of Elizabeth Brown by her daughter Madge Ormsby. It makes a good focus for the worshipping congregation here. This completes our tour of St George’s.
I hope you have enjoyed visiting St George’s Anglican Church, Gawler with me. What a wonderful Church it is!
I am happy to receive constructive comments or corrections concerning this website. The best websites are the ones which have no errors! I am grateful to my wife Margie who came to Gawler with me, and who has proof-read these pages. I am also grateful to Fr Simon Bailey who willingly gave me access to the Church and was very helpful.
The Church has a small online listing under the Adelaide Anglican Diocese, but no specific website of its own. However, I did find the following website very useful, and acknowledge my use of the material found there:
http://www.gawler.nowandthen.net.au/St._George%E2%80%99s _Anglican_Church
The photographs which appear on this site can also be found in higher resolution at:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulscottinfo/albums/
Site created 04 / 2017 ; reformatted 01 / 2021
Paul Scott