St Barnabas Melanesian Mission Church - Anglican- on Norfolk Island. Built in 1882.
History of Melanesian Mission.
The Melanesian Mission was founded in 1849 in New Zealand by Bishop Selwyn to evangelise the South West Pacific islands- all part of his diocese. From its foundation Bishop Selwyn intended the work of the Melanesian Mission to be conducted by native teachers and a native ministry. The Mission also had a missionary training college and medical facility in the Solomon Islands by the 1880s. In 1855 John Patteson (1827-1871) joined the Melanesian Mission later being consecrated as the Bishop of the newly formed diocese of Melanesia in 1861. Patteson's efforts were concentrated on the New Hebrides and the Solomon Islands. In 1867 he secured the transfer of the training college and headquarters of the mission from New Zealand to St. Barnabas Church on Norfolk Island. In 1871, Patteson was killed by natives in the Santa Cruz Group, probably because of the forced removal of kanaka labourers for Queensland sugar cane plantations. Patteson left his estate to the mission. By 1899, the staff of the Mission included the Bishop, Archdeacon, 9 white priests, 2 native priests, 9 native deacons, 420 native teachers, 6 white women workers and 12,000 Christians. In 1920, the Mission headquarters moved to the Solomons. In 1963, Rev. Dudley Tuti and Rev. Leonard Alufurai became the first Melanesian priests to be consecrated as Assistant Bishops of Melanesia by the Archbishop of New Zealand. In January 1973 the Church of Melanesia was inaugurated as an autonomous province with no links to New Zealand.
St Barnabas church was erected in 1882. The Gothic church has an unusual cyclone proof design drawn by a cousin of Patteson - Thomas Jackson. Another cousin donated the organ. Patteson's home county, Devon, provided the marble for the floor and font and Patteson’s forks and spoons were melted down to make the silver altar cross. The stained glass was designed by William Morris and the five lancets at the east end (showing Christ and the four evangelists) were by Edward Burne-Jones and the western hibiscus rose window with its five lancets beneath, was also designed by William Morris and made by James Powell of Whitefriars. The reredos is dramatically South Sea Island Gothic with elaborate walnut carving and inlaid mosaic. The bench ends of the locally made pews are inlaid with mother of pearl. The Chapel architecture also has a tropical flavour to its High Victorian Anglo French style. All phases of Norfolk's history are reflected in its tombstones- convict First Fleeter, Thomas Headington died 1798; Sarah Gregory, the only known gravestone on Norfolk to an early female convict died 1807.
St Barnabas Melanesian Mission Church - Anglican- on Norfolk Island. Built in 1882.
History of Melanesian Mission.
The Melanesian Mission was founded in 1849 in New Zealand by Bishop Selwyn to evangelise the South West Pacific islands- all part of his diocese. From its foundation Bishop Selwyn intended the work of the Melanesian Mission to be conducted by native teachers and a native ministry. The Mission also had a missionary training college and medical facility in the Solomon Islands by the 1880s. In 1855 John Patteson (1827-1871) joined the Melanesian Mission later being consecrated as the Bishop of the newly formed diocese of Melanesia in 1861. Patteson's efforts were concentrated on the New Hebrides and the Solomon Islands. In 1867 he secured the transfer of the training college and headquarters of the mission from New Zealand to St. Barnabas Church on Norfolk Island. In 1871, Patteson was killed by natives in the Santa Cruz Group, probably because of the forced removal of kanaka labourers for Queensland sugar cane plantations. Patteson left his estate to the mission. By 1899, the staff of the Mission included the Bishop, Archdeacon, 9 white priests, 2 native priests, 9 native deacons, 420 native teachers, 6 white women workers and 12,000 Christians. In 1920, the Mission headquarters moved to the Solomons. In 1963, Rev. Dudley Tuti and Rev. Leonard Alufurai became the first Melanesian priests to be consecrated as Assistant Bishops of Melanesia by the Archbishop of New Zealand. In January 1973 the Church of Melanesia was inaugurated as an autonomous province with no links to New Zealand.
St Barnabas church was erected in 1882. The Gothic church has an unusual cyclone proof design drawn by a cousin of Patteson - Thomas Jackson. Another cousin donated the organ. Patteson's home county, Devon, provided the marble for the floor and font and Patteson’s forks and spoons were melted down to make the silver altar cross. The stained glass was designed by William Morris and the five lancets at the east end (showing Christ and the four evangelists) were by Edward Burne-Jones and the western hibiscus rose window with its five lancets beneath, was also designed by William Morris and made by James Powell of Whitefriars. The reredos is dramatically South Sea Island Gothic with elaborate walnut carving and inlaid mosaic. The bench ends of the locally made pews are inlaid with mother of pearl. The Chapel architecture also has a tropical flavour to its High Victorian Anglo French style. All phases of Norfolk's history are reflected in its tombstones- convict First Fleeter, Thomas Headington died 1798; Sarah Gregory, the only known gravestone on Norfolk to an early female convict died 1807.