Centenary Of Burnham Church Celebrated

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30587, 2 November 1964, Page 1

Centenary Of Burnham Church Celebrated

The little wooden church of All Saints, Burnham, could not accommodate the crowd present yesterday for a service of thanksgiving to mark the church’s centenary. But with the aid of a loudspeaker system, those who could not be seated inside heard the Bishop of Christchurch (the Rt. Rev. A. K. Warren) outline the early history of the church. “This was the first church on the Canterbury plains, and although it was the fifteenth in the diocese it was indeed a landmark.” Bishop Warren said. “And on All Saints Day, the day we are observing today, Mr Bethell 100 years ago released the mortgage of £2OO and Bishop Harper—father of the then vicar—was able to consecrate it.” All Saints’ came into being through the generosity of Richard Bethell, the youngest son of a Yorkshire family who was descended from a line of bishops and other clergymen. “He came here with the idea of settling a village like an English one—With church, school, cottages, and himself as squire,” Bishop Warren said. “You see the same thing at Barr Hill, planted with its oak trees and the site near the church for the village , inn as the social centre of the community; only it was never built.” The church was originally built about three miles east of the Main South road on Burnham road and stood

there until 1903, when it was placed on a trolley and carried to its present site in Burnham Military Camp. There, another 20ft was added to the building. The present west front is believed to be that of the original building.

Among those present at yesterday’s service were Mrs M Bethell, daughter-in-law of the original benefactor, and her son, Mr Richard Bethell. Also present were Brigadier T. C. Campbell, commander of the Southern Military District, the Dean of Christchurch the Very Rev. W. A. Pyatt), and representatives of the Air Force and Navy and clergy of other denominations.

Lessons were read by the camp commandant (Lieuten-ant-Colonel R. E. Johnston) and the Rev. T. G. Shaw, who is a padre with the Territorial Army. The camp’s Presbyterian padre (the Rev. A. M. Mushet) led the prayers. The Rev. W. R. Otter is the church’s present padre. A three-tier centennial cake was cut at a special function later by Mrs Bethell and Mrs A. W. Scott, whose husband was vicar’s warden there for more than 40 years.