Friday, April 26, was the 150th Anniversary of the official opening of St Matthew’s Anglican Church in Broadford.
The opening was performed by the then-dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral, Melbourne. At the time, Broadford was a part of the Diocese of Melbourne. It is now associated with the Diocese of Wangaratta.
The builder of St. Matthew’s was a Mr Woods and the cost was 453 pounds. The original building consisted of the present nave only.
On February 5, 1893 the present chancel, sanctuary and vestry were completed, thanks to the generous donation of Miss Emily Gavan. Both Gavan Street and the Gavan Hall, next to St. Matthew’s, are named in honour of Emily’s contribution to the Broadford township from the 1860’s until her death in 1893.
In 1962, the chapel was completed thanks to the generosity of Mr Phillip Grimwade. Stained glass windows in St. Matthew’s were also donated by Mr Grimwade.
To mark this 150th Anniversary, a special service is being held this coming Sunday May 5 in St. Matthew’s at 11am. The Bishop of Wangaratta, the Rt. Rev’d. Clarence Bester, and the Chaplain of Trinity College, University of Melbourne, the Rev’d Dr Luke Hopkins, will be special guests.
Following the service, lunch will be served in the Gavan Hall. All are welcome.
