Coddiwomple: to travel in a purposeful manor towards a vague destination.
Sometimes I coddiwomple my way through life, sometimes I have a set destination but get there in a random way. There are no wrong ways to explore, but there are wrong turns.
On this particular trip I was actually headed somewhere specific and never ended up getting there. I made some 'right' turns and ended up finding an old church and some other signs (literally) that indicated that a community once thrived here. I had found St. Hilda's Anglican Church in the district of Arthurvale.
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Image from 'A History of the Huxley Area'
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Many of the first permanent settlers to this area were English men and women who belonged to the Anglican Church. It was a long trip to the closest Anglican Church and the local community asked for their own services. The first service was held on July 29, 1905 in the home of a local man, with 38 people attending. Services continued to be held once a month in various homes until a church could be built. Lumber was purchased in June of 1907 and work progressed through the summer and even though the church was not complete, the first service was held October 27, 1907. Many of the churches furnishings were sent from England by friends and relatives.
I found out that occasional services were held there right up until COVID happened and that there might be a Spring or early Summer service in the works. This church used to be unlocked for all to enjoy and sign the guest book, until recently when items were stolen from the church, forcing the caretakers to lock the doors. Makes you wonder what kind of person would steal also, it seems particularly evil to steal from a church.
Just a hop, skip, and a jump down the road is a sign for the short lived Arthurvale Post Office. By the end of 1905 the community met and discussed having the Government establish a Post Office there and the Stephenson House was chosen as the location. The name Arthurvale was chosen after Arthur Stephenson, the only child in the district at the time.
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| Post Office Sign and St. Hilda's in the Background. |
Another short distance away is the location of Loyalty School, the school is long gone but the entrance gate to the property is still there, just beyond the gate you can see a stone pillar that may at one time been part of a grander entrance or sign. The school opened in 1916 with 42 pupils. The school was already too small and another room was eventually added in 1925. By 1938, High School classes were being offered and the original Arthurville School was bought and moved (about 10km) on site and a dormitory built. The school closed in 1956 and the children were bussed to the nearby town of Huxley.
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| What lies beyond.. |
The pioneers of the area now rest in Arthurvale Cemetery beside St. Hilda's but there are still those who care for the church and keep the history alive.
Sources: Pioneering with a Piece of Chalk and A History of the Huxley Area.
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Peaceful shots. I like that term.
ReplyDeleteThanks William! I had it put on a t-shirt because I like it so much lol
DeleteIt's a pity that the door was locked; I'd have liked to have seen those "furnishings sent from England". My father used to use the word "soodle", meaning to walk slowly with little intention of actually arriving at the destination - think of a reluctant schoolboy making his way to school but finding all kinds of reasons to stop along the way. I looked "soodle" up in the dictionary and found it was an old word, last found in print in a poem by John Clare. My father grew up just 30 miles from where Clare lived most of his life, so I'd guess it was a local term used by country people in the area.
ReplyDelete...yes, there are no rules when exploring. You found a gem in an isolate setting. I'll be looking forward to your next discovery!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tom, next chance I get I will be out there again!
DeleteRural churches here are locked these days too. A sad comment on society today for sure. I enjoyed reading this history this morning, Jenn. Great photos as usual.
ReplyDeleteIt is sad, I come across the occasional open church but not in the last couple of years. Much appreciated, thank you.
DeleteHow charming that Arthurvale was named after the only child in the district at the time! I like how you include historical photos of the buildings you photograph -- it makes them come alive to see them when they were thriving at their peak of being used!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I always try to find an old photo, I love how the church still looks mostly the same.
DeleteThey don't make any more of these. Great shots. When I was a child I went to a similar church in Sask.
ReplyDeleteHi Red! Thank you! Is that church still there?
DeleteIt's amazing when you come across these old churches and schools. It's also nice that there are people who keep up these treasures so people can see in to the past. The old historical photos are always a nice addition to see and compare with the building as it looks now. Great story and photos, Jenn.
ReplyDeleteThanks Bill, one of my fave things is finding an old photo of a place. Brings it all together.
DeleteWhat a lovely country church. Hope to see it in person one day.
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