|
Brief history of the Church of the Ascension Midland
The Anglican Parish of Midland has a proud history of serving the community and worshipping God for over 100 years in this building.
People of faith have prayed and worshipped in this building providing them with inspiration, comfort, disturbance and sustenance to live a life of love and service to others. This continues today.
Many people have also dropped into the building as a place of refuge, quiet and calm as they face difficult times. Some have called in to read a newspaper. Others come to receive emergency support and counseling.
People have nurtured their faith here and celebrated major life events of preparing for birth, baptism, marriage, confirmation and funerals of loved ones. This ministry continues.
This is an edited version of THE STORY OF THE CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION by Archdeacon Lefroy, written in 1939.
In 1897, when I returned to Western Australia after an absence of more than 20 years, Bishop Riley asked me to take charge of the Swan and Midland Junction Parish. He added that Midland Junction was in a "parlous condition", but that I should find the Swan a little stronghold of Church life; also if I accepted that charge I must set to work to build a church at Midland Junction without any delay. Without much hesitation, I promised to make the attempt.
At the time I was staying across the river at Caversham with my mother and one of my sisters. The next morning after my interview with the Bishop, being Saturday, I went to inspect Midland Junction for the first time. What did I find there? The present excellent site of course, but nothing on it except a little hail in disrepair, erected four years previously by Archdeacon Brown, an aged servant of God then -but full of enthusiasm still - foreseeing even then the future growth of Midland Junction.
I did what I could to tidy up the hail a bit and put a notice on the door that services would be held at 800 and 11.00 the next morning. I got there in good time for the 800am celebration, and rang an old cracked bell very distinctly - indeed rather vigorously, - three times, but no one turned up. At 1030am I started again on the bell and this to my great joy brought Mrs. Elgee, the doctor's wife, Miss Balehin, and I think, a young sister. That was my start in Midland Junction. They became tireless workers.
The interest in the Parish grew with cheering rapidity. Before many weeks had passed, we had full congregations - all getting keen about the Church. soon felt justified in issuing an appeal for a building fund, which was well supported.
The time soon came for getting out the building plans, and Mr. Ernest Wilkinson was asked to draw them up - after the ideas already in my mind. On the way out from England, I had spent some time in Italy, and had seen in Rome one of the most ancient churches there - St. Clement's - a Basilica, dating back, I believe to the 6th or 7th Century. I determined that the Church of the Ascension should resemble St. Clement's in it's ground plan at any rate. Hence the high raised choir and sanctuary projecting into the nave; the high windowless east wall, and the large altar with its many steps of approach.
In less than a year the building was started, and the Church was ready for the Dedication service on February 2nd, 1899, the Feast of the Purification. In the presence of a very large congregation, many of whom, both clergy and laity, had come from Perth, or further afield, to join in our happiness, and pray for God's continual blessing on the Church and Parish.
Immediately after the dedication, old Mr. Walter Padbury gave the beautiful deep-toned bell. May its call to worship be widely heard, and faithfully answered for many a year to come.
Within a few months I left and Alfred Burton, took my place as Rector of the Swan, Midland Junction, and the adjacent regions. I love that House of God, and used often to visit it alone - to muse, meditate and pray.
We trust that you too will find this place one that heals and restores your body, mind and spirit.
|
.
