Seventy Fifth
Anniversary
2011 marks the seventy fifth anniversary of laying the Foundation Stone and the erection of the Uniting Church building in Cooper Street, Cootamundra. This “splendid edifice” was to be a replacement for the original Presbyterian church on the corner of Adams and Cooper Streets which was built fifty four years previously.
A Task Force was formed to organise celebrations to commemorate this event.
In the 1932 Jubilee Souvenir booklet of the Presbyterian Church, mention was made that the present church building was inadequate for the needs of the growing congregation, and the Board of Management had under review various schemes for its enlargement. The concept of a new church can be credited to the resourceful talents and foresight of the incumbent Minister, Rev Christopher Thomas Frow Goy (1930 – 36), who became aware that an old home, constructed of granite was available for demolition. The scheme for the new building commenced in reality when the Mackay family, who were early settlers in the Wallendbeen district, donated the material in their wonderful old home “Granite House”. Immediate steps were taken for the demolition of the old home and carting the stone to the site, on land procured from the Dickson estate – “a fine purchase indeed!”
Financing – Rev Goy was entrusted with the task of making an appeal to the people of the town and district, and was elated by the wonderful response. People of all denominations became anxious to assist. He set out to raise ₤1500 ,but received ₤1600 and estimated that ₤200 would be donated at the laying of the Foundation Stone.
“The New Church foundations are of granite rubble, embedded in cement mortar, laid on a sand base with the footings of reinforced concrete. Granite blocks to be jointed and laid in lime mortar with cement. The church is to be 48 feet long by 28 feet in width, with a transcept on either side. The width of the church at the transcept end is 48 feet. That on the right is for the choir. The communion table is to be on an elevated platform, and the pulpit in the centre of the back wall, with the minister’s vestry and the choir vestry at the rear of the church. The front of the edifice is to have a tower and spire on the left, and a porch on the right. A vestibule 21feet 6 inches by 6 feet is to be situated between the porch and tower, and concrete steps will lead up to each”. The building was to be of early English Gothic design; the architect for the project was F Purvis of Cootamundra and the successful tenderer for the construction was Frank Mitchell, a local builder and an elder of the Church. “Already were seen signs of his enthusiasm and zeal on the contract.” Cost of the building was to be ₤2742.
Laying of the Foundation Stone took place on Wednesday 10th June 1936 in the presence of the State Moderator, Right Reverend C E Turnbull and a “surprisingly large attendance,” with other denominations well represented.
Mr John W McClintock, who was the senior Elder, was given the honour of placing the Stone in position. It was also noted that Mr McClintock’s father, John McClintock senior, had laid the Foundation stone in the original Church building fifty four years previously.