Chapel Dedicated.
KITCHENER MEMORIAL.
Parish Church at Maleny.

SUNDAY, 6 September [ 1931 ], marked a new era in the life of the Church of England community in Maleny.

A new church has been built and on Sunday was dedicated under the name of “St. George” although the building will more usually be known as the “Kitchener Memorial Chapel”.

The occasion is not only notable for the Church of England congregation, but is of interest and importance to the whole district.

The history of the church dates back to the war period, when a small chapel was erected at Enoggera camp by The Soldiers’ Church of England Help Society, of which the founder and director is Canon Garland.

It was used as a soldiers’ church, the ornaments and furniture being donated in memory of men who served in the war and made the supreme sacrifice.

The altar, cross, vases, and credence table are all to the memory of the late Earl Kitchener: many other names are to be found on the ornaments and vessels.

At a later period when the Beerburrum settlement was established the church was transferred to that site, but with the failure of the settlement and the dispersal of the soldier settlers, the chapel fell into disuse.

This year the congregation at Maleny sought permission to have the chapel dismantled and re-erected as their parish church.

Canon Garland graciously sanctioned the change.

Archbishop Sharp [ Gerald Sharp ] signified his acquiescence and operations were immediately commenced.

To-day [ 11 September 1931 ] the church has been dedicated and the Maleny congregation has become the custodians of the sacred treasures.

The local sub-branch of the R.S.S.I.L.A. [ The Returned Sailors’ and Soldiers’ Imperial League of Australia ] has a keen interest in the chapel, as the present vicar, the Rev. H.K. Cornish [ Herbert Kestell Cornish ], is their first president.

A large number of the men were present.

At 7.30 a.m. the Archbishop of Brisbane (Dr. Sharp) celebrated the first Communion service in the re-erected and renovated chapel. At 11 a.m. the dedication service was held.

A record crowd of over 300 attended and the new church was full to overflowing.

Many worshippers could not obtain admittance and clustered round the windows to hear the service.

After the church was dedicated in the name of St. George a celebration of the Holy Communion followed, at which a large number communicated.

Archbishop Sharp* in his address referred to the history of the church, and stated that the fact that the church had been built in Maleny after years of waiting, went to prove that men still believed in God and recognised the need of Jesus Christ and His Church.

The collection taken at the 11 a.m. service amounted to £67/12/.

The church has been opened free of debt.

At 2.30 the Archbishop held a confirmation service, at which 18 candidates were presented.

A beautiful service again enthralled a congregation which more than filled the church.

At evensong another large congregation attended, when the preacher was Archbishop Sharp.

DEDICATION LUNCHEON.

After the dedication a luncheon was given at the Hotel Maleny, when the members of the Church Committee entertained Archbishop Sharp.

Mr. Grimstone, M.L.A. (Member for Maleny [sic ] ) [ Ernest Lancelot Grimstone, the State Member for Stanley from 25 February 1928 to 22 October 1933 ], and Mr. Edwards (Member for Nanango) [ James Braidwood Edwards, the State Member for Nanango, from 9 October 1920 to 3 May 1947 ] also were present at the dedication and luncheon.

Mr. John Grigor represented the Landsborough Shire Council, and Mr. J.A. Grigor, who donated the timber for the stumps of the new church, was also present.

Mr. Grimstone welcomed Archbishop Sharp, and congratulated the vicar, the Rev. H.K. Cornish, on having achieved the aim he had in mind when he arrived in Maleny two and a half years ago.

The Archbishop, in reply, expressed his pleasure at coming to Maleny and congratulated the congregation on their beautiful church.

* FOOTNOTE: In the Diocesan Archives of the Anglican Church of Australia (Diocese of Brisbane) is an Archbishop’s letter (referenced at 1931 Vol XLI No. 495 October 347), dated 6 September 1931, described as “Archbishop Sharp dedicated the Church, erected first at Enoggera, then at Beerburrum. It was known, and should still be known, as the ‘Kitchener Memorial Church’.” The parish has a website.

– from page seven of “The Nambour Chronicle and North Coast Advertiser”, 11 September 1931.