OH YE OF LITTLE FAITH
I was interested in Barry Swan's letter (September 11) desiring "tired old ideologies" be confined to the dust-bins of history. Oddly enough, years ago, Mrs Mao Tse tung told a Christian delegation from the US very similar words. She proudly said "Christianity in China has been confined to the history section of the museum - it is dead and buried. There is not a single Christian left in China".
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A brochure from The Bible Society last week tells me that today there are up to 100 million Christians in China - with around 2700 coming to faith each day, and the society’s goal this year is to print a further two million bibles for China. Wow. The dust bin and the museum must be almost empty.
Stan Brain, Keiraville
‘OVER OUR DEAD BODY’
In Huskisson (Shoalhaven) it’s been noticed the Anglican Church is not in use anymore, services are held at Vincentia School and the church itself is showing signs of neglect. It’s been said the church and site have been sold and will be replaced possibly by four storey apartment buildings. While this may be rumour it is more likely truth, as a consultant has inquired about the people buried in the grounds with the possibility of development on the site. There are thought to be at least seven burial sites with some identified. There was a statement made that the church has no historical significance.
I beg to differ about this point. While land was set-aside for the Anglican Church in 1876 the building itself wasn’t opened until April 1931. The historical significance of the Holy Trinity Church is the building itself, designed by well-known architect Cyril Blacket, son of Colonial Architect Edmond Blacket but well respected as an architect in his own right. Cyril Blacket also designed St Stephens Church at Port Kembla.
The life story of Cyril Blacket is noted in many ways – President of Institute of Architects (1903); Lane Cove alderman and later Mayor of Lane Cove Council; He also served terms as alderman of Clyde Shire – later Shoalhaven (1904 & 1907). Cyril built a salt evaporation plant on land at St Georges Basin, established a brickyard and was said to have invented the hollow brick (1903). He had input into a variety of local enquiries.
The many buildings he designed included (but not all) the School of Arts Nowra: Wingello Church; St Stephens Church Port Kembla; (and others) as well as the War Memorial Gates Nowra and Huskisson Church.
While there are other historical Blacket points to be considered, at the Huskisson church site in the 1930s an Anniversary Tree Planting Service was held and those wonderful trees, still standing today, were specifically planted by well known local residents and dignitaries. In 1949 Alf Settree (local boatbuilder) donated the stained glass window in memory of his deceased wife.
It seems all history and memories will be forgotten when the church and trees are gone and developments cover the Huskisson site with 3 to 4 storey blocks of flats. The fate of the church is not yet known.
Maureen Webb, St Georges Basin
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