This lectern on castors stands near the tapestry in the North transept. It was formerly in St Stephen’s Church in Uraidla. The front panel of the lectern has three circular icons – a central star of David, and two outer identical branching crosses. INDEX
22. NORTH TRANSEPT WINDOW
The North transept window has three panels with the appearance of interleaving strips in shades of pink, with inserted panels of flowers and fruit. The brass plaque below the window reads: ‘In loving memory of Frances – widow of Gavin David Young of Arthur’s Seat, Mount Lofty who died 12 August 1906.’ It is possible that the South transept window was also donated. The mansion known as Arthur’s Seat on Mount Lofty was destroyed in the fires of 1983. The ruins can be visited today.
23. THE MAGI
The word ‘Epiphany’ means ‘manifestation’, and is usually used in connection with the visit of the three wise men to the baby Jesus. It is not surprising therefore, in the church of the Epiphany, to find the magi, or three wise men appearing. These figures, along with a set of Crib figures, were purchased with the help of an anonymous gift in August 1964. The figures were carved from pear wood by Alfred Zwink of Oberammergau. A Crib scene is set up at Christmas time.
24. ALTAR RAIL AND KNEELER
These wooden altar rails were purchased using a legacy left by Mrs S B Rudell of Nara, Stirling East, when she died in October 1960. They replaced brass rails which were given to Christ Church, Longwood, and were later destroyed in the bush fire on Ash Wednesday 1980. The communion kneelers, and other kneelers in the church, were made by Mollie Vardon during the 1980s. Other tapestry kneelers were made by parishioners under the guidance of Mrs Beryl Thomas.
25. NORTH SANCTUARY
We come now to the sanctuary area. In this view of the North sanctuary, we notice the flower pedestal at left and the nearby brass plaque on the wall, the aumbry with its special light, and the reredos to the right. Standing in front is the fine carved wooden altar with candle sticks at each end.
26. PEDESTAL, SUPPORT, PLAQUE
The flower pedestals were given by parishioners in 1981 in memory of Clem Castle who was a server in this church for fifty years. Clem lived with his brother Frank above the cottages which adjoin the Epiphany drive, until the Highway Department took over his house and demolished it when the Freeway was built. The brass plaque on the wall gives details of the reredos which was given by Pat Fisher. The circular panels were given in memory of Revd F John Hopton, George Kosahiw, Thelma Mussared, and Rachel Williams. The panels represent four of the ecclesiastical seasons: Trinity, Easter, Christmas and Epiphany.
27. AUMBRY AND LIGHT
The aumbry is where blessed elements of the Eucharist are kept. This aumbry was given in memory of Dudley Clarke Hill (1913 – 2001) and Edna Joan Hill (1919 – 1991) by their family, and was consecrated by the Revd John Devonport in 11.6.2006. The external doors were made by Scott Mitchell of the ACT with inlay work by Michael Retter of Sydney. The silver lamp was designed and crafted by John Campbell of Upper Sturt. Dudley Hill was People’s Warden from 1954 to 1966.
28. HIGH ALTAR
The high altar was given in memory of Robert Sellar by his daughter Ella Matilda, who married Francis Joseph Fisher. It was designed and made in 1902 at the School of Design in Adelaide (1861 – 1916), and was exhibited in the SA Art Gallery as an outstanding example of craftsmanship of the time. The timber is blackwood (Acacia Melanoxlon). The top text on the altar, from John 6:54, reads: ‘Whoso eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.’
29. ALTAR, REREDOS AND CROSS
The original reredos consisted of the top section only, and was given in 1898 by Mrs Alfred Simms, a member of the pastoralist Chambers family. There was once panelling on either side as well, but this was removed in the 1950s. Later the reredos was raised and a new panel added below it. The enlarged reredos seen today was the gift of Miss Patricia Fisher to commemorate the life of her family in the hills.
30. REREDOS
The four circular panels represent four liturgical seasons. These are : • Trinity – eucalypt, an evergreen, symbolizing spiritual growth; • Easter – Cape Belladonna lily, the first sign of life after the 1983 bush fires; • Christmas – Marianthus Creeper (flower of the Virgin Mary), the love of Mary for the Christ child; • Epiphany – purple Calostemma (the glorious crown), highlighting the Kingship of Christ, which are revered by the wise men.
31. SOUTH SANCTUARY
Continuing our exploration of the sanctuary, we now look towards the South. We notice here the banner with the three wise men, a sanctuary window, and a hymn board. Behind the altar we catch a glimpse of a credence table with a brass alms dish displayed.
32. CANDLES AND BANNER
On either side of the altar stands a wooden standard candlestick. These were dedicated in 19.6.1938, and given in memory of Elizabeth Jane Price (1856 – 1937), wife of Henry Archibald Price of Tutuila, Waverley Ridge, Crafers. The processional banner was given in memory of Helene Marie Berndt who died 1965, by Misses B Dixon and B Miller, and Mesdames A Burgess, W M Kennett, F V Parrott and E Perry. It was designed by Mrs Pamela Opie, the Revd F J Hopton and Mrs Alice Knowles, made by Mrs Knowles, and the work was completed by Mrs M Douglas after Mrs Knowles’ death.
33. SANCTUARY LAMP AND WINDOW
The sanctuary lamp was given by family and parishioners in memory of Winifred Margaret Chittleborough, 1904 – 1968. She was the wife of Canon Colin Chittleborough, Rector from 1956 –1966. The lamp was designed by architects Dean Berry and Partners, and made by silversmith John Hale. The South sanctuary window features a stylized Alpha – Omega symbol. Alpha and Omega are the first and the last letters of the Greek alphabet and are an appellation of Christ in the Book of Revelation (for example 1:8).
34. ALMS DISH AND HYMN BOARD
The little credence table on the South side of the sanctuary was given by Mrs O’Halloran Giles in 1898. The brass alms dish on the table was a gift of Mrs Paul Bonnin (née Clara Jane Simms) on 23.4.1897. Inscribed on the plate are the letters AMDG (To the glory of God) and IHS – the first letters of the name ‘Jesus’ in Latinized Greek. The plaque on the hymn board reads: ‘Presented by Sir Malcolm Barclay-Harvey Governor of SA who worshipped in this church 1939 – 1945’.
35. SOUTH TRANSEPT
The South transept is filled with the organ – a 22 stop mechanical action pipe organ made by Knud Smenge of Melbourne. This was a gift to the Anglican Parish of Stirling by the Crafers Organ and Choral Music Society (COCMS), and was dedicated by Bishop Stuart Smith on 3.8.1995. Funds were raised by a combination of profits from functions and concerts, donations and memorials.
36. ORGAN
The church is often used as a venue for concerts and various musical presentations. This is the most recent organ in a series which includes a Dodd organ given in 1903 in memory of Paul Frederick Bonnin, former organist for the church by his wife. Paul Bonnin was also a pastoralist and solicitor. Also in 1961, the Dodd organ belonging to Scots Church, North Terrace, Adelaide was bought by the church and installed.
37. ORGAN PLAQUES
There are four plaques on the wall to the right of the organ. Items not mentioned before include the service of Theodosia Logier Inger, wife of the Revd H E Inger, who was organist and choirmaster for 25 years. She died on 18.12.1954. Also, Nance Adell Heran, who died in May 1972, donated the swell celeste for the Dodd organ which came from Scots Church. Finally, in 1979, a 97 pipe wood and lead Lieblich Gedakt Rank was dedicated in memory of Mr and Mrs W A Starling. Mr Starling worked for two organ firms, and had a long association with the church. Mrs Starling (Evelyn Howard) sang in the choir for the Consecration service in 1899.
38. LECTERN
Close to the organ stands the traditional brass eagle lectern. This was given in memory of Simeon Moss and his wife Annie by their children. Simeon Moss died in September 1903 aged 82. He established the Wirrilda Jam Factory in Stirling which operated from 1877 until 1881. The lectern Bible was given in 1967 as a thank offering by some of those recently confirmed. This version is not now used in services, having been replaced by the New Revised Standard Version.
39. CHAIR AND DESK
Close to the lectern we find this Glastonbury chair which was given by the Revd P C W Wise in 13.1.1899, the then incumbent Rector of the Parish. The litany desk was given in memory of William Briggs Sells who died on 30.10.1902. It was given by Miss Sells on 6.1.1903.
40. CRUCIFIX AND HYMN BOARD
This small crucifix hangs above the door in the South wall of the nave. No information about it seems to be available. The hymn board, one of a pair, was given on 23.12.1979 in memory of G E H Bleby who lived 1910 – 1976. It was the gift of his wife Margaret. It was designed by Pamela Opie, the wood crafting was done by John Liddy, and the brass by Owen Thomas.