The Presbyterian Church at Huon Lane

The following members of the Huon Lane congregation are identified in the photograph: Sabina Jane Huon of Bungoona, (fourth from left of picture, wearing dark dress), Peter Symington of Teviotdale, father of Jessie (white hat and moustache, mid picture), James Symington of Berringa Park, (bowler hat, standing next to Peter), then to his left, Peter Symington (nephew of James), Bob Ward, Alfred Trumbull Ward, brother in law of Peter Symington and, in far left of picture, Henry Alfred (Harry) Symington (nephew of James). The tallest of the three boys in front of Peter and James is Doug Symington. The man standing to the far left of picture looks like Charlie Huon (killed in WW1).

This picture appears to have been taken on a special occasion, probably on the opening of the church. Peter Symington died in 1916 and Mrs. Huon was widowed in 1907 and left the district in 1914.

The Presbyterian Church at Huon Lane was opened by the Rev. MacDougall of Mornington on Sunday 25th September 1910. The church was built on land, adjacent to the Huon Lane Railway Station, which was donated by James Symington of Berringa Park, Huon Lane. The Presbyterian minister was John Patrick MacDougall, who married Jessie Jane Symington at the Huon Lane church on 15th May 1914. Methodist ministers F. R. Wilkes and E. C. Perkins also visited the church.

In July 1932 the building was removed to Red Bluff as a Presbyterian Church [1] but it was destroyed in the 1940 bushfires. [2]

[1] Wodonga and Towong Sentinel (Vic.), Friday 8 July 1932, page 2

[2] Recorder (Port Pirie, SA), Saturday 24 February 1940, page 2

NEWSPAPER ARTICLES RELATING TO THE CHURCH AT OLD HUON LANE

Wodonga and Towong Sentinel Friday 11 June 1909 page 4

A movement is on foot to erect a Presbyterian Church at Huon, and as a start Mr James Symington, of Berringa Park, has given a site and a donation of £25. Already over £200 has been subscribed. Opinions are divided as to whether the proposed building should be of brick or weatherboard; but the advocates of the former are confident that as the advantages of the more permanent structure are so overwhelming, while the difference in the cost will only amount to a trifle over £100, that brick will ultimately be adopted.

Wodonga and Towong Sentinel Friday 17 December 1909 page 3

YACKANDANDAH SHIRE COUNCIL WEDNESDAY, 8th DECEMBER CORRESPONDENCE.

(Received from Public Health Department) From same, stating that the requirements of the board respecting the proposed Presbyterian Church at Huon Lane would be submitted to the council in order that any special requirements deemed necessary may be made.

Wodonga and Towong Sentinel, Friday 18 February 1910, page 3

TENDERS are hereby invited for the ERECTION of a WOODEN CHURCH at Huon (Vic.) Tenders, accompanied by 5 per cent. deposit on amount of tender, to be returnable to Mr F. HUON, at Huon Lane, by 26th FEBRUARY, 1910. Plans and specifications may be seen at The SENTINEL Office, Wodonga. The lowest or any tender not necessarily accepted.

Yackandandah Times, Thursday 9 June 1910, page 2

YACKANDANDAH SHIRE COUNCIL.

CORRESPONDENCE.

From Public Health Department, re board’s requirements at Presbyterian Church, Huon Lane. — Specifications and plan approved.

Wodonga and Towong Sentinel Friday 12 August 1910 page 2

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 1910. The new Presbyterian Church building at Huon is nearing completion.

Albury Banner and Wodonga Express Friday 3 November 1911 page 19

HUON LANE.

(From a Correspondent).

A highly successful tea meeting and concert was held at the Presbyterian Church, Huon Lane, on Wednesday, the 11th inst. The church was tastefully decorated for the occasion, and the catering was in the capable hands of Mr. Hugh Reid, of Kiewa. The tables a veritable bloom of lilies and roses, bore evidence of the artistic skill of the ladies of Huon Lane, who so admirably and attentively served the want of the large gathering. The concert, which commenced at 8 o’clock, was presided over by the Rev. J. P. McDougall, provided a lengthy and varied programme, which was much appreciated by the audience, encores being frequent. The contributions of Messrs Shegog, of Kiewa, and of Mr. Pearce, of Tallangatta, as well as the recitations of Miss Vera Osborn, of Melbourne, and the Rev. T. Dickson, of Yackandandah, were of special merit. The piano was kindly lent by Miss McIntyre, of Huon Lane, and much praise is due to Mrs. Huon, of Bungoona, for her untiring efforts in organising the evening’s entertainment.

Upper Murray and Mitta Herald (Vic.), Thursday 3 November 1910, page 2

A successful tea-meeting and concert were held in the new Presbyterian Church, Huon Lane, on Thursday evening, 13th October, when about 200 people attended. Rev. J. P. McDougal presided. The tea-meeting was carried out in a most satisfactory manner by the lady members of the Church, and to them much credit is due. The tables were very prettily ar-ranged, and the floral decorations were tastefully adjusted. After the tea the following program was presented and met with much applause: — Overture, “The Highland Wreath” (Scotch Airs), Mr. Hodgson’s Wodonga Orchestra, encored ; song, “ Darby and Joan,” Mrs. Huon ; violin solo, “ Home, Sweet Home,” Mr. D. Mortimer; song, “ Hymns and Bells,” Miss Martin, encored; pianoforte duet, Mrs. Crameri and Miss W. Huon; recitation, “The Buck-board Ride,” Mr. Pollard, encored ; song, “ Oh, Dry Those Tears,” Miss Ward, Melbourne; vocal duet, Misses Wray and Martin ; address, Rev. E. Bond, Methodist minister; instrumental item, “ Highland Wreath” (Irish Airs), Mr. Hodgson’s Wodonga Orchestra; song, “ For Society’s Sake,” Miss Martin ; violin solo, “ The Campbells are Coming,” Mr. D. Mortimer; item by Bethanga Quartette Party, Misses Wray and Martin, Messrs. Retallick and Norman Ellis; sacred song, “ Nearer my God to Thee,” Rev. J. P. McDougal; song, “ The Dear Home Songs,” Huon Lane Church Choir; National Anthem. The concert terminated at 10 p.m., when supper was handed around before the visitors departed. The meeting was a great financial success: The Church was opened on Sunday, 25th September, by Rev. Mr. McDougal, of Mornington. There was a crowded congregation.

Albury Banner and Wodonga Express Friday 4 November 1910 page 19

Huon Lane.          

(From a Correspondent.)              

A successful tea meeting and concert was held in the new Presbyterian Church, Huon Lane, on Thursday evening, the 13th October, when about 200 people attended. Rev. J. P. McDougal, Kiewa, presided. The tea meeting was carried out in a most satisfactory manner by the lady members of the church, and to them much credit is due. The tables were very prettily arranged, and the floral decorations tastefully adjusted. After the tea the following programme was presented, and met with much applause: - “The Highland Wreath” (Scotch airs), encored, Mr. Hodgson’s Orchestra, Wodonga; song, “Darby and Joan,” Mrs. Huon; violin solo, “Home, Sweet Home,” Mr. D. Mortimer, Leneva; song, “Hymns and Bells” (encored), Miss Martin, Bethanga; pianoforte duet, Mrs. Crameri and Miss W. Huon; recitation, “The Buckboard Ride” (encored), Mr. Pollard, Bonegilla; song, “Oh, Dry Those Tears.” Miss Ward, Melbourne; vocal duet, by Miss Wray and Miss Martin, Bethanga; address, Rev. Mr. Bond, Methodist minister, Wodonga; “Highland Wreath” (Scotch airs), Mr. Hodgson’s Orchestra; song “For Society’s Sake” Miss Martin; violin solo, “The Campbells are Coming,” with variations, Mr. D. Mortimer; items by Bethanga Quartette Party, Miss Wray, Miss Martin, Mr. Retallick, and Mr. Norman Ellis; song, Rev. J. P. McDougal, “Nearer My God to Thee”; song, “The Dear Home Songs,” Huon Lane Church Choir; National Anthem. The concert terminated at 10 p.m., when supper was handed round before the visitors departed. The meeting was a great success financially. The church was opened on Sunday, September 25th, by the Rev. Mr. McDougal, of Mornington, when there was a crowded congregation.  

Wodonga and Towong Sentinel (Vic.), Friday 21 April 1911, page 2

YACKANDANDAH SHIRE COUNCIL WEDNESDAY, 12th APRIL.

From Public Health Department, Received…

From the same, re Huon Lane Presbyterian Church, intimating that egress space as set out by the department on 27th May has not yet been complied with, and asking what steps are proposed to be taken in the matter. -On the motion of Cr Clutterbuck, seconded by Cr Ivers, the secretary was directed to notify the trustees of the Huon Church that the alteration to the door must be carried out.

Yackandandah Times, Thursday 12 October 1911, page 2

YACKANDANDAH SHIRE COUNCIL

CORRESPONDENCE. Correspondence was read from: …

Public Health Department, stating that the Board’s formal approval to the opening of the Presbyterian Church at Huon had been granted.

The Albury Banner and Wodonga Express Friday 24 April 1914 page 6

HUON.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

The residents of Huon assembled at “Bungonia” on Tuesday, 14th April, to bid farewell to Mrs. S. J. Hume and daughters, on the occasion of their departure from Huon. Mr. P. Symington, on behalf of the friends and members of the church, presented Mrs. Huon with a handsome silver rose-bowl and two companion silver vases, as a token of appreciation of the good work done for the church, and in recognition of the high esteem in which she is held by all. After the presentation the evening was spent pleasantly in music and songs; and after supper, which was served by the ladies present, a few dances were indulged in. It is the intention of Mrs. Hume (sic) to reside in Elsternwick, where she has purchased a home. The little village of Huon, and indeed the surrounding district, will feel their loss for some time, as they have been   ardent workers for the church and indefatigable in their efforts to promote the wellbeing of all things social and charitable.

Albury Banner and Wodonga Express, Friday 22 May 1914, page 31

PERSONAL AND SOCIAL.

The church at Huon was the scene of a wedding recently, the contracting parties being the Rev. J. P. McDougal, M.A., in charge of the Presbyterian Church, Seymour, and Miss Symington, the eldest daughter of Mr. P. Symington, “Teviotdale,” Huon. Rev. Chisholm, of Wangaratta, officiated.  The bride wore a cream serge costume with dainty fur trimmings, a hat of shell pink velvet trimmed with mole fur and feather mount, and carried a posy of pink and white roses and asparagus fern. The bridesmaid wore a dress of pale pink crepe de chine, with black velvet hat, and carried a posy of white roses. The bride’s mother was gowned in black voile with rich black trimmings, and black tagel hat with feather mount. The bride travelled to Lorne, where the honeymoon is to be spent, in a brown donegal tweed costume, squirrel fur, and smart felt hat.

Wodonga and Towong Sentinel, Friday 12 November 1926 page 2

Miss Darton, of “Heatherbrae,” Huon, has presented the Presbyterian congregation of Red Bluff with an organ. The Rev. Mr. Rankin accepted the gift on behalf of the congregation, and dedicated the organ at a service of song on 24th ult.

Wodonga and Towong Sentinel, Friday 8 July 1932, page 2

RED BLUFF (FROM A CORRESPONDENT) The Water Commission have commenced the removal of the Huon Church to a site next to the Red Bluff State School. A working bee which was to be held at the new church site had to be abandoned on account of rain.

Wodonga and Towong Sentinel Friday 29 July 1932 page 2

RED BLUFF (FROM A CORRESPONDENT) An inspiring and helpful service witnessed the re-opening and dedication of the Huon Church on the new land at Red Bluff.   Members of the Beechworth Presbytery were present in the Rev. W. Alexander, of Tallangatta, who presided, and the Rev. H. R. Halford, of Wodonga, who preached from the text “I was glad when they said unto me let us go into the House of the Lord.”   The Minister, the Rev. J. E. Smith, also took part in the service. A very fine quartette was rendered by the Rev. J. E. Smith and Messrs J. L. Smith, M. Jamieson and P. Grant. Despite the inclement weather the church was well filled by local residents and visitors, the latter representing Kergunyah, Kiewa, Tallangatta, Wodonga, and even as far afield as Tawonga. Greetings and good wishes for the future well-being of the Red Bluff church were conveyed by the Rev. W. T. Alexander, on behalf of the Moderator and Presbytery of Beechworth. The Rev. J. E. Smith suitably responded, welcoming the visitors and expressing gratitude to God for the loyal and ready co-operation of the people whose labors and gifts had made such an early re-opening of the church possible. Such enthusiasm as has been manifest in these matters augurs well for the future of the church as a power for good in the district. The Minister, on behalf of the people, expressed appreciation of the capable and efficient manner in which the employees of the Water Commission had carried out the removal and re-erection.  

The Age Tuesday 12 May 1953 page 3

New Church Dedicated

WODONGA, Monday. — A new Presbyterian Church erected at Red Bluff was opened and dedicated yesterday in the presence of 250 people including visitors from Melbourne. The dedication was performed by Rev. R. Corr.