The Venerable Bede

Born 673 A.D. in Northumbria near monastery of St. Peter
Consecrated to God’s service at age 7 presented by his abbot to deacon’s order – Wearmouth and Jarrow
Elevated to priesthood at 30, devoted his life to study and copying of manuscripts
Died 26 May 735 A.D.
Most celebrated work – Ecclesiastical History of the English People

The Semaphore Parish

Development of district and church followed parallel course
Semaphore owes its name to the business enterprise of Mr. George Coppin who in 1850 established White Horse Cellar Inn in Port Adelaide
1875 – Semaphore Time Ball Tower was erected
March 1879 – Semaphore produced a 30 lb. watermelon
August 1880 – local newspaper reported that, “ building operations in the district were remarkably brisk and that the stone could not be quarried fast enough to meet the demand”
October 1884 – Semaphore Amateur Christy minstrel show staged its 1 st performance
6 February 1883 – Rev. F Coghland opened Semaphore Collegiate School (in 1884, it was known as St Bede’s College)
Census figures for 1891 – Port Adelaide population – 17,140 ( 7,159 lived at Semaphore)
October 1889 – Semaphore Corporation purchased Institute property and hall
April 1917 – electric tramsway service was commenced
1916 – Wondergraph Picture Company – started screening pictures
Census 1971 – shows Semaphore as a low-growth area of depressed socio-economic status and high urbanisation

The Foundation of St. Bede’s

Until 1878 Anglicans living on Le Fevre attended St. Paul ‘s at Port Adelaide
May 1878 – South Australian Register reported, “ increase in the number of the regular residents at the Semaphore has brought practically home to the members of the Church of England the need for regular Church accommodation and services.”
To translate this feeling into action, a meeting was convened May 10, 1878
2 September, 1878 – Mr. J.C. Lovely presented to the committee plans and specifications for the church building
26 October 1878 – foundation stone was laid by Lady Jervois
1881 – church applied to Synod for recognition as a congregation and for representation

The Outreach

1894 – Miss Hayes established a Sunday School at Mellor Park
July 1896 – about sixty children were on the roll
Until 1916 St. Alban’s remained a mission church of St. Bede ‘s
Rectors of St. Bede’s

George Henry Farr, MA, LLD. 1879-1883
Francis Robert Coghlan BA 1883-1885
Henry Howitt 1885-1886
Walter Ward, MA 1887-1891
William Adderley Campbell , MA 1891-1897
William Alexander Swan, 1901-1918
James Welsh, 1918-1935
Frank Beaumont Hewitson 1936-1952
Charles Roland Whereat, ThL, MBE, 1952955
Vernon Desmond Hartwig, ThL, 1955-1959
Benjamin Raymond Jones, ThL, ED, 1959 –
St. Bede’s and the sacred ministry and other vocations

Parishioners turned priest – Richard Adderley Campbell, Richard Elliot Saunders, Warren Swan, Cecil Swan, Gordon Hewitson, Brian Fagan, Tony Noble
Anthony Polling- missionary electrician in Melanisia
John Mills – 3 year teacher in New Guinea
Betty Jones- sister in Community of the Holy Name

The Church Properties

The Register in April 1879 described the original building as Gothic in style, built of dry creek stone, capable of seating
300 people
August 1885 – enlarged building was re-opened and Rev. Howitt preached to large congregations
1895 – 1 st parish hall was built
1922 – opened kindergarten room
May 1963 – new hall formally opened
1891 – 1 st Rectory purchased
1912 – new rectory purchased

Some outstanding lay workers

Longest serving priest’s warden – Mr. Arthur Blizard, 1948-1967
Mr. Graham Pyrke – people’s warden, 1940-1956
William Hansen – priest’s warden, 1967-1978
Following deserve a mention for their long years service: Mr. VJ Pavia, Mr. WJ Thurgarland, Captain Marshall Smith,
Mr. WH Shaw, Mr. AW Bush

Aspects of the 1st hundred years

1978 – no less than 5,170have been baptised, 2,337 have been confirmed, and 2,076 weddings
1937 and 1938 – average attendance: 86 at 11am mass, 129 at 7pm
1919 – church has over-drawn on its bank account
November 1977 –Parish branch last official meeting
1895- Mother’s Union was formed
1952 – gymnasium club was formed
1976 – junior netball club was founded
1945-1959 – Merry Fellows concert party

Church Music at St. Bede’s

1 ST organist – Miss Hall
St. Bede’s Day 1884 – ladies of parish provided tea, proceeds to later go to buy the organ
1904 – organ debt wiped off with funds raised by entertainment and fairs
Organists and choirmasters – John Williams, HA Anderson, GE Hunter, Mr. Hunter, Peter Ruys

1980 – Present

1980 Rev. Robert Niehus appointed as Rector of St. Bede’s
1988 Rev. Ross Morony appointed Rector
1990 Rev. Garry Weatherill appointed as Rector of St. Bedes.
1992 St. Bede’s and St. Paul’s, Port Adelaide, amalgmate to become the Anglican Parish of Semaphore, Port Adelaide and Northern Westlakes. Rev. Garry Weatherill appointed as Priest-in Charge
1997 Rev. Jeff Oake appointed Priest-in-Charge of St. Bede’s and St. Paul’s.
2004 Rev. Ali Wurm appointed as Priest in Charge of St. Bede’s and St. Pauls.
2006 Process begins of St. Bede’s and St. Paul’s each becoming a separate parish
2007 Anglican Parish of St. Bede’s, Semaphore, officially licensed. Rev. Ali Wurm licensed as Priest-in-Charge
2013 Rev. Ken Bechaz commissioned as Priest-in-Charge.