Hamilton the Anglican St Matthew's Dutton Memorial Church and grave yard where Henry Dutton, who had the church built, is interred. South Australia
On Friday 6 January 1905 the Kapunda Herald reported the following description of St Matthew’s Church from its inception to the addition of an organ chamber and new pipe organ.
ST MATTHEW’S CHURCH, HAMILTON
The Hamilton Anglican Church has the reputation of being one of the prettiest and most artistically decorated places of worship in the state. The church, the entire cost which was borne by Mr H Dutton, of Anlaby Estate, was built in 1896. The foundation stone was laid on September 9 of that year, by Mr H Dutton, and the consecration was performed on December 2 by Bishop Harmer. As the illustration shows, the building is of Gothic design, and presents a neat and attractive appearance, reflecting great credit on the skill of the architect (Mr Naish) and the work of the contractors (Messrs E James & Co, of Kapunda). The dimensions of the building are—Nave, 21 ft x 18 ft, and the chancel 12 ft x 9 ft, the vestry 8 ft x 7 ft and the height from floor to ceiling about 20 ft. The windows are glazed with cathedral glass, and the comfortable porch in the same manner. The chancel windows are of stained glass and give a representation of biblical characters.
A marble tablet on the south wall bears the following inscription : —"To the glory of God and in loving memory of Helen Elizabeth Dutton. and Ethel Da Silva Dutton, the wife and daughter of Henry Dutton, of Anlaby and Frederick Hansbrow [Hansborough] Dutton, his uncle. This church was built and consecrated on December 2, 1896.”
It was further beautified in 1902 and 1903, consisting among other things of a reredos and chancel screen of English oak, new altar rails, and symbolic scriptural paintings. The original building was recently enlarged by the addition of an organ chamber on the northern side, and on Sunday, December 11, the new pipe organ was dedicated by the rector (Rev G Griffiths), Mr H Dutton officiating at the instrument. The new organ is a fine instrument. It comprises two manuals, with a compass from CC. to A. 58 notes, while the swell manual overhangs the great 2 in. The pedal clavier is made to the pattern and scale adopted by the Royal College of Organists, London, and the compass ranges from CCC. to F. 30 notes. The action from keys to sound-boards of great and swell is mechanical, but that of the draw stops and pedal is on the tubular pneumatic system. The key console is placed some distance from the organ, and is reversed so that the organist faces the choir. The woodwork of the organ is English oak, and the pipes of the best spotted metal. The organ was designed for the church by Mr Fred Taylor, at the instance of Mr Dutton, who presented it to the church.
*At the time of the church’s jubilee celebrations the Kapunda Herald of 5 December 1946 reported the following -
The beautiful Church of St Matthew’s, Hamilton, celebrated the jubilee of its consecration on Sunday last with Festal Evensong at 3 o'clock. The Church was fully occupied by past and present worshippers, and visitors from the surrounding towns and the city. Many were unable to find seating accommodation in the Church, and these were provided with chairs just outside the building and were able to hear the service through an amplifier.
The service was conducted by the Rector (Rev T O Scrutton), the preacher being the Bishop of Adelaide. Nine members of St, Peter's Cathedral Choir led the singing, and contributed the anthem "Thou Visitest the Earth and Blesseth It." Canon Finnis, organist at the Cathedral, presided at the organ.
His Lordship began his remarks by extending good wishes and greetings from the mother Cathedral Church, of which, he said, they were a part: also part of a great company.
Referring to St Matthew's Church, he said it was, in a large part, a memorial to the late Mr Henry Dutton, who had had it built. Not only had Mr Dutton spent his wealth in adorning the Church, but he had spent his time there worshipping and serving God as organist, lay reader and warden. The remainder of the Bishop's remarks were addressed, as he put it, to "country" folk—people on the land.
Following the service, those present were entertained at a High Tea in the Parish Hall by members of the Hamilton congregation, and the spread was indeed a lavish one. The hall was decorated with beautiful flowers, and two sittings were necessary to accommodate those present. A beautiful birthday cake, with 50 candles, was provided: Miss Walpole lit the candles.
After the Rector had thanked the Bishop, Canon Finnis and the Cathedral choristers for coming from Adelaide to assist in their jubilee, the Bishop congratulated the Hamilton people on the way the jubilee had been celebrated.
A very pleasing incident then took place. Mrs E Dutton, of Anlaby, paid a warm tribute to Miss Walpole's long and faithful association with St Matthew's Church, and on behalf of the Dutton family asked her to accept the silver teapot which her late father-in-law (Squire Dutton) always used for his morning tea. In making the presentation, Mrs Dutton said she was sure Miss Walpole would realize that the gift came as much from the late Squire as from the present members of the family. Miss Walpole was too overcome to reply, and Mr Scrutton thanked the Dutton Family on her behalf. Miss Walpole then cut the birthday cake, and at the call of Mrs Dutton, three hearty cheers were given for her, and also three for the city visitors.
St Matthew's Church was built by the late Mr Henry Dutton, of Anlaby, as a memorial to his uncle (Mr F H Dutton), his wife and daughter, and is recognised as one of the most beautiful churches, not only in this State, but in the Commonwealth. The beauty and magnificence of its interior are beyond description—they have to be seen to be fully appreciated. The foundation stone was laid on September 9, 1896, by Mr Henry Dutton; the builder was Mr Evan James, and the contract price was £380. The Church was consecrated by Bishop Harmer on December 2, 1896. The nave, chancel and vestry were erected first. Mr Dutton made additions from time to time to the building and its furnishings. The beautiful reredos and screen were dedicated by Bishop Harmer on November 8, 1902. The reredos, designed in the style of late 15th century, is divided into five panels or niches, the centre panel holding the cross. On either side are panels with figures representing the four Evangelists, two on either side, and on the outside panels are the figures of St Helena and St Ethelreda. The eastern window, depicting the Crucifixion, was made by Powell, of London, and is a special memorial to the late Mrs H Dutton.
Four windows in the sanctuary depict the four Archangels, and those in the nave represent St Ambrose, St Augustine, St Gregory and St Jerome. All are outstandingly beautiful windows, the work of Percy Bacon & Bros, of London.
The chancel is adorned with beautiful carved oak panelling. The brass altar rails, massive lectern and the beautiful silver alms dish were dedicated on August 30, 1903. A pipe organ was dedicated on December 11, 1904, and the organ chamber was added at that time. On April 16, 1905, the communion vessels of gold-plated sterling silver were dedicated, and about the same time the handsome hanging lamps in the nave, made by Bacon Bros, were installed.
In 1906 the tower was built. The windows (by Bacon) depicting St Peter and St Paul, were added at that time.
The present magnificent three-manual pipe organ was dedicated on October 25, 1914, but unfortunately, the Squire was destined not to play it, or to hear it played, as he passed away in August of that year.
The above short description will give some idea of the beauty of this truly beautiful Church.
Hamilton the Anglican St Matthew's Dutton Memorial Church and grave yard where Henry Dutton, who had the church built, is interred. South Australia
On Friday 6 January 1905 the Kapunda Herald reported the following description of St Matthew’s Church from its inception to the addition of an organ chamber and new pipe organ.
ST MATTHEW’S CHURCH, HAMILTON
The Hamilton Anglican Church has the reputation of being one of the prettiest and most artistically decorated places of worship in the state. The church, the entire cost which was borne by Mr H Dutton, of Anlaby Estate, was built in 1896. The foundation stone was laid on September 9 of that year, by Mr H Dutton, and the consecration was performed on December 2 by Bishop Harmer. As the illustration shows, the building is of Gothic design, and presents a neat and attractive appearance, reflecting great credit on the skill of the architect (Mr Naish) and the work of the contractors (Messrs E James & Co, of Kapunda). The dimensions of the building are—Nave, 21 ft x 18 ft, and the chancel 12 ft x 9 ft, the vestry 8 ft x 7 ft and the height from floor to ceiling about 20 ft. The windows are glazed with cathedral glass, and the comfortable porch in the same manner. The chancel windows are of stained glass and give a representation of biblical characters.
A marble tablet on the south wall bears the following inscription : —"To the glory of God and in loving memory of Helen Elizabeth Dutton. and Ethel Da Silva Dutton, the wife and daughter of Henry Dutton, of Anlaby and Frederick Hansbrow [Hansborough] Dutton, his uncle. This church was built and consecrated on December 2, 1896.”
It was further beautified in 1902 and 1903, consisting among other things of a reredos and chancel screen of English oak, new altar rails, and symbolic scriptural paintings. The original building was recently enlarged by the addition of an organ chamber on the northern side, and on Sunday, December 11, the new pipe organ was dedicated by the rector (Rev G Griffiths), Mr H Dutton officiating at the instrument. The new organ is a fine instrument. It comprises two manuals, with a compass from CC. to A. 58 notes, while the swell manual overhangs the great 2 in. The pedal clavier is made to the pattern and scale adopted by the Royal College of Organists, London, and the compass ranges from CCC. to F. 30 notes. The action from keys to sound-boards of great and swell is mechanical, but that of the draw stops and pedal is on the tubular pneumatic system. The key console is placed some distance from the organ, and is reversed so that the organist faces the choir. The woodwork of the organ is English oak, and the pipes of the best spotted metal. The organ was designed for the church by Mr Fred Taylor, at the instance of Mr Dutton, who presented it to the church.
*At the time of the church’s jubilee celebrations the Kapunda Herald of 5 December 1946 reported the following -
The beautiful Church of St Matthew’s, Hamilton, celebrated the jubilee of its consecration on Sunday last with Festal Evensong at 3 o'clock. The Church was fully occupied by past and present worshippers, and visitors from the surrounding towns and the city. Many were unable to find seating accommodation in the Church, and these were provided with chairs just outside the building and were able to hear the service through an amplifier.
The service was conducted by the Rector (Rev T O Scrutton), the preacher being the Bishop of Adelaide. Nine members of St, Peter's Cathedral Choir led the singing, and contributed the anthem "Thou Visitest the Earth and Blesseth It." Canon Finnis, organist at the Cathedral, presided at the organ.
His Lordship began his remarks by extending good wishes and greetings from the mother Cathedral Church, of which, he said, they were a part: also part of a great company.
Referring to St Matthew's Church, he said it was, in a large part, a memorial to the late Mr Henry Dutton, who had had it built. Not only had Mr Dutton spent his wealth in adorning the Church, but he had spent his time there worshipping and serving God as organist, lay reader and warden. The remainder of the Bishop's remarks were addressed, as he put it, to "country" folk—people on the land.
Following the service, those present were entertained at a High Tea in the Parish Hall by members of the Hamilton congregation, and the spread was indeed a lavish one. The hall was decorated with beautiful flowers, and two sittings were necessary to accommodate those present. A beautiful birthday cake, with 50 candles, was provided: Miss Walpole lit the candles.
After the Rector had thanked the Bishop, Canon Finnis and the Cathedral choristers for coming from Adelaide to assist in their jubilee, the Bishop congratulated the Hamilton people on the way the jubilee had been celebrated.
A very pleasing incident then took place. Mrs E Dutton, of Anlaby, paid a warm tribute to Miss Walpole's long and faithful association with St Matthew's Church, and on behalf of the Dutton family asked her to accept the silver teapot which her late father-in-law (Squire Dutton) always used for his morning tea. In making the presentation, Mrs Dutton said she was sure Miss Walpole would realize that the gift came as much from the late Squire as from the present members of the family. Miss Walpole was too overcome to reply, and Mr Scrutton thanked the Dutton Family on her behalf. Miss Walpole then cut the birthday cake, and at the call of Mrs Dutton, three hearty cheers were given for her, and also three for the city visitors.
St Matthew's Church was built by the late Mr Henry Dutton, of Anlaby, as a memorial to his uncle (Mr F H Dutton), his wife and daughter, and is recognised as one of the most beautiful churches, not only in this State, but in the Commonwealth. The beauty and magnificence of its interior are beyond description—they have to be seen to be fully appreciated. The foundation stone was laid on September 9, 1896, by Mr Henry Dutton; the builder was Mr Evan James, and the contract price was £380. The Church was consecrated by Bishop Harmer on December 2, 1896. The nave, chancel and vestry were erected first. Mr Dutton made additions from time to time to the building and its furnishings. The beautiful reredos and screen were dedicated by Bishop Harmer on November 8, 1902. The reredos, designed in the style of late 15th century, is divided into five panels or niches, the centre panel holding the cross. On either side are panels with figures representing the four Evangelists, two on either side, and on the outside panels are the figures of St Helena and St Ethelreda. The eastern window, depicting the Crucifixion, was made by Powell, of London, and is a special memorial to the late Mrs H Dutton.
Four windows in the sanctuary depict the four Archangels, and those in the nave represent St Ambrose, St Augustine, St Gregory and St Jerome. All are outstandingly beautiful windows, the work of Percy Bacon & Bros, of London.
The chancel is adorned with beautiful carved oak panelling. The brass altar rails, massive lectern and the beautiful silver alms dish were dedicated on August 30, 1903. A pipe organ was dedicated on December 11, 1904, and the organ chamber was added at that time. On April 16, 1905, the communion vessels of gold-plated sterling silver were dedicated, and about the same time the handsome hanging lamps in the nave, made by Bacon Bros, were installed.
In 1906 the tower was built. The windows (by Bacon) depicting St Peter and St Paul, were added at that time.
The present magnificent three-manual pipe organ was dedicated on October 25, 1914, but unfortunately, the Squire was destined not to play it, or to hear it played, as he passed away in August of that year.
The above short description will give some idea of the beauty of this truly beautiful Church.