May 2010 . . A Window on the Mt Mee Community Church Building
by Ian Wells (Part 1)
We hope to publish an irregular series of feature articles on interesting aspects of life on Mt Mee. This, the first, tells something of the story of the Mt Mee Community Church building.
The little old church building sitting amongst its well-tended gardens is widely regarded as the gem in our Mountain’s crown.
Visitors are greatly taken by the “picturesque” building.
Most of the ‘locals’ and their parents were christened and married in it and their relatives buried from it. It is a cornerstone of life on the Mountain.
So residents have a strong sense of ownership and pride in it – whether they be regular church goers; those who feel it is “right” to use a church for certain occasions; or just those honest thinkers who are a bit uncertain about the deity business but respect the beliefs of others.
But it hasn’t always been so. If ever there was an example of what a tiny community with tiny resources can achieve through sustained effort, this is it!
So we take a look at the origins of the building, some of the vicissitudes it has met with over the years, and how the Mt Mee people met those problems.
The Mountain was settled at the latter end of the 19th century – albeit sparsely by modern standards, for timber getting and farming.
The first school was opened in 1884, but was closed again between 1904 and 1907 due to lack of numbers. But the dairy and timber industries were prospering, and the first community hall was completed in 1914.
Settlement leapt ahead in 1921 when James Campbell and Sons opened up country for 23 new farms in what became Campbells Pocket, and this was a turning point in the development of Mt Mee
A group of residents had been meeting for worship quite regularly in the home of Richard Thomas – and later in the original Hall and there was growing recognition of the need for a dedicated church building for the growing community.
But there was still no church building, and on July 10th 1922 a public meeting chaired by the Rev. Tainton of Woodford was held in the Hall to canvas the possibility of building one.
That meeting resolved to proceed, whereon A.L Kuhn immediately offered half an acre of his land adjoining the Brockhurst holding.
Thus encouraged, the meeting immediately elected six trustees to manage the land and added a building committee of seven. It was resolved that the building would be 26 feet by 16 feet and that plans and specifications be drawn up as soon as possible.
The Building Committee met just a few days later, and in the way of the Mountain even then, it appointed the ladies present as a committee and instructed them to organise a fundraising fete. The fete would support a subscription drive under the leadership of Mr J.H Robinson. In a show of great confidence, the Building Committee also decided that the building plan should be enlarged to 30 feet by 20 feet.
The next meeting of the Building Committee was held just a few days later – on July 29th.
The voluntary contributions began straight away, Mr W. Franklin offering to cut out the framing, Mr C. Hewitt to supply the stumps, Mr W. Duncan to supply his labour and the Rev Tainton to fund the haulage on the stumps. Mr A.C Beanland – a staunch C of E member, undertook to haul the timber from the Woodford Mill without charge, while the joinery was carted from Nambour with horse-drawn wagon by Messrs E. Smith, W. Duncan and J. Robinson for the same figure.
A working bee was arranged for Saturday August 5th and in the Mountain tradition the ladies offered to provide sustenance for the workers.
So things were under way, and at such a pace that a stump capping ceremony was held less than four weeks later. This was attended by a galaxy of dignitaries and a great local turn-out.
In the custom of the time, many people placed gold sovereigns under the caps, raising a substantial sum – including generous contributions from local Catholic people.
The fete ladies didn’t waste time either, and they were able to report the astonishing take of sixty pounds and ten shillings from the small community – (the daily wage at that time was of the order of one pound six shillings).
Meanwhile spartan furnishings and fittings were variously sourced – seating from a bayside auction while a pulpit, bible, hymn book and chair were donated by Dr Kerr-Scott.
This great community effort culminated in the opening of the church on December 16th 1922 – less than six short months after the initial exploratory meeting!
The total cost was two hundred and twenty one pounds, ten shillings and eleven pence.
Visitors are greatly taken by the “picturesque” building.
Most of the ‘locals’ and their parents were christened and married in it and their relatives buried from it. It is a cornerstone of life on the Mountain.
So residents have a strong sense of ownership and pride in it – whether they be regular church goers; those who feel it is “right” to use a church for certain occasions; or just those honest thinkers who are a bit uncertain about the deity business but respect the beliefs of others.
But it hasn’t always been so. If ever there was an example of what a tiny community with tiny resources can achieve through sustained effort, this is it!
So we take a look at the origins of the building, some of the vicissitudes it has met with over the years, and how the Mt Mee people met those problems.
The Mountain was settled at the latter end of the 19th century – albeit sparsely by modern standards, for timber getting and farming.
The first school was opened in 1884, but was closed again between 1904 and 1907 due to lack of numbers. But the dairy and timber industries were prospering, and the first community hall was completed in 1914.
Settlement leapt ahead in 1921 when James Campbell and Sons opened up country for 23 new farms in what became Campbells Pocket, and this was a turning point in the development of Mt Mee
A group of residents had been meeting for worship quite regularly in the home of Richard Thomas – and later in the original Hall and there was growing recognition of the need for a dedicated church building for the growing community.
But there was still no church building, and on July 10th 1922 a public meeting chaired by the Rev. Tainton of Woodford was held in the Hall to canvas the possibility of building one.
That meeting resolved to proceed, whereon A.L Kuhn immediately offered half an acre of his land adjoining the Brockhurst holding.
Thus encouraged, the meeting immediately elected six trustees to manage the land and added a building committee of seven. It was resolved that the building would be 26 feet by 16 feet and that plans and specifications be drawn up as soon as possible.
The Building Committee met just a few days later, and in the way of the Mountain even then, it appointed the ladies present as a committee and instructed them to organise a fundraising fete. The fete would support a subscription drive under the leadership of Mr J.H Robinson. In a show of great confidence, the Building Committee also decided that the building plan should be enlarged to 30 feet by 20 feet.
The next meeting of the Building Committee was held just a few days later – on July 29th.
The voluntary contributions began straight away, Mr W. Franklin offering to cut out the framing, Mr C. Hewitt to supply the stumps, Mr W. Duncan to supply his labour and the Rev Tainton to fund the haulage on the stumps. Mr A.C Beanland – a staunch C of E member, undertook to haul the timber from the Woodford Mill without charge, while the joinery was carted from Nambour with horse-drawn wagon by Messrs E. Smith, W. Duncan and J. Robinson for the same figure.
A working bee was arranged for Saturday August 5th and in the Mountain tradition the ladies offered to provide sustenance for the workers.
So things were under way, and at such a pace that a stump capping ceremony was held less than four weeks later. This was attended by a galaxy of dignitaries and a great local turn-out.
In the custom of the time, many people placed gold sovereigns under the caps, raising a substantial sum – including generous contributions from local Catholic people.
The fete ladies didn’t waste time either, and they were able to report the astonishing take of sixty pounds and ten shillings from the small community – (the daily wage at that time was of the order of one pound six shillings).
Meanwhile spartan furnishings and fittings were variously sourced – seating from a bayside auction while a pulpit, bible, hymn book and chair were donated by Dr Kerr-Scott.
This great community effort culminated in the opening of the church on December 16th 1922 – less than six short months after the initial exploratory meeting!
The total cost was two hundred and twenty one pounds, ten shillings and eleven pence.
(Stay tuned for Part 2 in our next edition.)
