41. ORGAN CONSOLE

The two-manual console, and two memorial plaques to loyal members of this congregation.    INDEX

42. SOUTHEAST CORNER OF THE NAVE

We look across to the Southeast corner of the nave. We note the door to the Choir vestry, another Honour Roll, a banner, and the first of the South windows of the nave. Near the window is some special furniture from the Wesley Methodist Church.

43. CHOIR PHOTOGRAPH

Within the Choir vestry is an old photograph of the Adelaide Harmony and Clayton Church Choirs, gathered at Clayton Church for a performance of The Messiah in 1948. The Adelaide Harmony Choir, one of Australia’s foremost large choirs, was founded in 1947 by Lewis Dawe who remained its conductor until his retirement due to ill health in 1981.

44. HARMONIUM AND HONOUR ROLL

Left of the Choir vestry door is an old harmonium inherited from one of the combining churches. This Roll of Honour contains the names of those who died from the Clayton Congregational Church. Amongst the names listed is the verse: ‘Who far away, before his day Untimely fell; But sword in hand, to serve the land He loved so well.’   

45. SOUTH NAVE

This is a view of the South wall of the nave. The banner at left, the Wesley Chapel furniture, a memorial plaque, and five interesting windows await us! Notice the frieze decoration and the ornamental arches above the windows.

46. INASMUCH BANNER

The ‘Inasmuch’ banner on this side of the Church is based on verses Matthew 25:31–40, where in verse 40 we read: ‘And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me’. The design of the banner shows God’s love for everyone, and especially the poor and needy. It reflects the work of the church (and in particular Clayton Wesley Church) in society in mission, outreach and service.

47. WESLEY CHAPEL FURNITURE

With the closure of the Wesley Methodist Church, the pulpit, communion table and various associated items were gathered together to form this ‘Wesley Chapel’. It appears now to be an interesting historical reminder of the past, rather than an actively functioning chapel. The pulpit and communion table were originally constructed in memory of Gertrude M. Tregoweth.    

48. SOUTH WINDOW V

This window commemorates two young men of the Church who were killed in action in World War I. The lower panel shows a crusader armed with a sword and shield, and is dedicated to Rev. Stanley Dawe. The upper window, picturing a broken column, is in memory of Ralph Potts who was killed just three days before the Armistice.

49. SOUTH WINDOW IV

This next window depicts the Good Shepherd. The underlying Scripture is found in the Gospel of John 10:11 : ‘I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.’ It is given in memory of Thomas and Ellen Latta, who were former ‘loyal and worthy’ members of Clayton Church.

50. SOUTH WINDOW III

The central window is placed there in memory of of Rev H. G. Nicholls and Mrs Nicholls. Mr Nicholls ministered at Clayton Church from 1891 to 1903. The design combines the symbolism between the two texts, ‘I stand at the door and knock’ (Rev 3:20), and ‘I am the Light of the World’ (John 8:12). The text at the bottom reads: ‘Their light shineth.’

51. SOUTH WAR MEMORIAL

The central memorial plaque is sacred to the memory of The Rev Thomas Hope who was Pastor of this Church from 1873 to 1890. He died at Hindmarsh on November 20th 1916. The inscription closes with the verses: ‘And he was not, for God took him’ (Genesis 5:24) and ‘He being dead, yet speaketh’ (Hebrews 11:4).

52. SOUTH WINDOW II

This window showing Jesus with a little child is very appropriately dedicated to Joshua D. Whittam and his wife. Mr Whittam was renowned for his work among the young people of Clayton Church, worthily followed in later days by his descendants. The design combines the concept of the text: ‘Suffer the little children to come unto me’ (Mark 10:14) with that of ‘the Good Shepherd’ (John 10:11), and provides a fitting memorial to the Whittam family.

53. SOUTH WINDOW I

This end colourful window is the most recent addition to the stained glass of Clayton-Wesley Church. In the top panel we see an angel, the organ pipes, the choir singing, the organ console with the organist conducting the singing. In the lower window, singing cherubim are led by an angel with a lyre. The scroll reads: ‘God is our song, and every singer blessed.’ The window was given in memory of Howard James Buchan who lived from 22.3.23 to 11.9.96.

54. TOWER ROOM

Leaving the nave for a moment, we step out into the room at the base of the tower. There is a simple but interesting window in the West wall with a central Star of David. On the wall is a further sketch of the old Church, this one with a dedication which reads: ‘In loving memory of Dorothy and Lewis Dawe, From the family’.

55. WEST WALL

Returning to the nave, we face the West wall. There is a large three-panelled window at top, and below, a plaque and three smaller windows.

56. WEST WINDOWS AND PLAQUE

The plaque reads: ‘In loving memory of Sir Edwin T. Smith K. C. M. G., For over 60 years a member of this church. Born at Walsall, England April 5th 1835. Died at Marryatville, December 25th 1919. This tablet is erected by his children and grandchildren.’ The small central window is essentially plain lattice in design. The two small outer windows are very similar, yet subtly different. Each shows a round green shield bearing intertwined letters. The one at left appears to show the letters CPES , and the one at right the letters HES. For these letters, refer to the next slide ...

57. WEST WINDOW

The triple West window has been described as among the rare art treasures of Adelaide’. It was installed in 1912 by Sir Edwin Smith in memory of Florence, his first wife, and of Elizabeth, his second wife. Monograms on two small lower windows refer to his children. The scene depicts Jesus in his youth in the Temple at Jerusalem. There are two texts: Luke 2:49 (And Jesus said to them, ‘How is it that ye sought me? Wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?’), and the well known John 3:16.

58. OLD CHAPEL

In 1844 church services began in the home of Mr and Mrs John Roberts, then in the Independent Christian Chapel in High Street, followed by a larger meeting place in Maesbury Street. During 1855 a large and commanding site on the corner of Portrush Road (then known as Kensington Terrace) and The Parade (then East Parade) was purchased. On this site a new stone and brick church, 'a spatial and ornamental chapel' was built. As a result of a huge effort to encourage donations from leading businessmen and Members of Parliament, the new Congregational Chapel was opened free of debt. This building, now known as the Lecture Hall, was opened on 13th April 1856. The name Clayton Chapel was adopted at the request of John Roberts in honour of his former Congregational pastor in London, Revd John Clayton Jr, and reflecting the regard with which Roberts was held. A gallery was added to the chapel in 1862. ... We note that sadly, the chapel no longer has its original little spire.

59. THE CHURCH

The congregation grew rapidly and in 1881 it was decided to build a larger church in front of the existing chapel. This fine building, with its 38m high steeple and seating for 560 persons, was opened on 17th May 1883 and has since become a notable landmark – The Spire on The Parade. On the front of the church is a 3 x 2 m carved relief depicting Jesus' Presentation at the Temple. A fine new organ, built by J.E. Dodd & Sons, was installed in 1897. For many decades, Clayton Congregational Church played an important role in the social and religious life of local residents. The church had a large Sunday School and operated a wide range of social and sporting groups. Sunday School concerts and other fine music concerts presented by the Church Choir were important social events.

60. WESLEY METHODIST

In April 1973 the Norwood Wesley Methodist, directly across Portrush Road, (now Russian Community Centre) and Clayton Congregational fellowships formally merged after several years of working together. In 1977 Clayton Wesley Church became part of the newly formed Uniting Church in Australia. Then in October 2000, the St Morris Uniting Church and Clayton Wesley Uniting Church congregations amalgamated. Clayton Wesley is an important part of many people's lives. Its congregation is actively involved in community outreach, notably through its shop, Goodies. The church has, as its primary goal, to build and sustain a community of Christian faith through ‘Sharing friendship, worship and care’. [Photo Credit: http://russiahouse.squarespace.com/about/]