St Luke’s History

History

The earliest services, after settlement in 1910, were held in homes by the Rector from Moora, Rev Gunning.  With the opening of the railway in 1914, a priest would attend from Fremantle or Goomalling until the parish was established. 

The first Rector was Rev GR Coulson in 1926.  A car was purchased for him and dedicated at a service in St George’s Cathedral by Archbishop C Riley.

The next Rector was Rev WB Kirby until 1928, helping to build the Rectory in 1928.  The Rector had nine centres to visit, including Buntine, East Dalwallinu, Wubin, Ballidu, Miling, Pithara, East Pithara, Latham and Marne.  Maya was included in 1930 and Paynes Find some time later.  The Rector would mostly stay overnight in these centres, generally with those who opened their homes to hold the services.  In Buntine it was Mrs Douglas, East Dalwallinu with Mr & Mrs Johnason, Wubin with Mr Bradshaw, Ballidu with Mr & Mrs Kosterick or Mrs & Mrs Randall, Miling with Mrs Seymour, Pitahara with Mrs Cook or Mr & Mrs H McNeill, East Pithara with Mr Melhuish and in Latham with Mrs Hirsch.

In 1930, Ballidu joined Wongan Hills Parish and Miling with Moora Parish.  Maya and North Dalwallinu were included in the Dalwallinu Parish.

In January 1928, a Parish Committee was established to build a church.  (Mr J Hennissey, Mr O Griffiths, Mrs C McNeill, Mr F Siggs, Mr J Martin, Mr Francis, Mr Christie, Mr T Hodgson, Mr R Tremain.)  The Foundation Stone was laid by Ven Moore of Northam in May 1929 and he was presented with a silver trowel.  In 1961, the trowel was re-gifted by Rev Moore, the then Dean Emeritus of Perth and has been mounted on the wall of St Luke’s.

Mr Pike was contracted to build the church for 1160 pounds, with the bell frame a further 3 pounds.  The bell is believed to have come from St John’s (1882-1924) in Milligan St.  The church was consecrated by Bishop Elsley of Kalgoorlie on 5th September, 1929.

The depression years were tough and the Rectors were often working without pay.  The usual functions were held in all centres to raise money (stalls, dances, Ugly Man competitions, card evenings and such), but no-one had much money to spend on entertainment, so profits were poor from these events.

Rev Henn was replaced by Rev JS Hawkins in 1938.  No Rector (war years) from 1941-1946.  Rev W Riley arrived in 1946 until 1951 and the church was busy again, being painted and purchasing 24 new prayer books.  The annual meeting of parishioners in 1947 was attended by 47 people.  Rev Judge arrived in 1951 and a new Holden car was purchased for 1,000 pounds.  During his time, key Vestry members were involved in the promotion of opening a High School in Dalwallinu.  Once the school was opened the church ran a Hostel for two years.

Rev R Davies arrived in 1956 until 1959, followed by Rev R Pearce in 1963 for five years.  Attendances were up during the 60’s and may other spiritual functions took place and finances were steady, especially with continued wheat donations.  Rev K Hall came in 1968.  Due to drought soon after, the church again struggled financially and meetings were held in 1970 to discuss the future of the Parish.  With church numbers declining, many rural parishes were encouraged to amalgamate. 

At this time, there was no resident Priest in Wongan Ballidu Parish, so Rev Hall conducted one service a month at Ballidu.  Annual meetings of parishioners were held in 4 centres in the parish and everything was being done to upkeep finances and parish life was ‘on going and out reaching.’  Rev Hall finished his appointment in 1972.  Rev B Vaughan was welcomed to Dalwallinu at the end of 1973 and lived in Pithara while the old Rectory was removed and the new Rectory was built, moving to Dalwallinu in April 1974.

Due to financial constraints, the Parish of Dalwallinu was amalgamated and became the new Parish of Wongan Hills-Dalwallinu, with Rev Vaughan moving to Morawa and Rev R Anderson residing in the Rectory at Wongan Hills.

The Rectory was rented out with a separate room to the main house being used for many years as the Church office.

St Luke’s celebrated its 60th anniversary in 1989, with Father P Tinney presiding at the service.  Pastoral Assistant, Mrs E Wilson, led services until Rev J Sharpe commenced in 1992.  Rev David Lord commenced ministry in 1996 and during this time, the Ladies Guild went into recess and the St Luke’s Fellowship committee was formed to guild the life of Dalwallinu centre. 


Rev Lord finished in 1999 and Rev T Trethowan led the Parish from 2001 until 2003, when 3 local Priests led the Parish.  Rev K Barrett-Lennard was appointed Priest in Charge, with Rev L Stickland in Wongan Hills and Rev B Hyde in Dalwallinu.   In 2005, PA Mrs S Wilson led weekly services, with Priests visiting monthly to share the services.

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