Deep Creek Church of England (St. Phillip's Anglican Church) Anderson's Creek Road, Deep Creek was built in 1907 on land donated by Henry Pump, and moved in the 1970's to Blackburn Road near Reynolds Road. This photo shows the church on its original site. DP0596
St Phillips, Deep Creek (History Parish Holy Trinity Anglican Doncaster Uebergang 1997 p72
St Philips Church
Source: Craig Martin writing on Facebook June 2017
St Philip's was opened in Anderson Creek Road on 11 November 1906 by Archdeacon Crossley and moved to current site in 1980. New name adopted at the new site. More historical information/photographs of the church/congregation are invited. Photographs uploaded 30/5/2014.
Source: Deep Creek Anglican Church | Churches Australia Downloaded Mar2023
St Philips Church
St Phillip's Church was located on land donated by the Pump family, and was situated on the east side of Anderson's Creek Rd, approximately due east of following the direction from where Porter St ceased at Blackburn Rd. Opposite the S/E cnr of Prowse Reserve at approx 218 Anderson's Creek Rd. I attended Sunday School there in the mid/late 60's.Source: Craig Martin writing on Facebook June 2017
Porter St - Google Maps Downloaded 2023
Locality Plan - Deep Creek Church of England (St. Phillips Anglican Church) Anderson's Creek Road. Reference: Extract from 1945 aerial photograph, part of Maps Collection Melbourne 1945 PhotoMaps, University of Melbourne - downloaded March 2023.
Vol 2476 Fol 164 is for the Pump land and in which on page 2 it notes owner Henry Pump transfers part of the land on 27th December 1906 to "The Church of England Trust Corporation for the Diocese of Melbourne". Source: PROV No reference or link possible. Obtained 15Mar2022.
Vol 3155 Fol 024 is the land title for the transferred part of land on 27th September 1906 into the name of "The Church of England Trust Corporation for the Diocese of Melbourne of Swanson Street Melbourne”. On page 2 of the title, "The Mayor Councillors and Citizens of the City of Doncaster and Templestowe" became the registered proprietor on 29 September 1982. Source: PROV No reference or link possible. Obtained 15Mar2022.
The article also notes that St Philip's was opened in Anderson Creek Road on 11 November 1906 by Archdeacon Crossley. The Reporter (Box Hill) newspaper on Friday 9 November 1906 includes reference to the opening:
The Ven. Archdeacon Crossley, M.A., will open St. Phillip's church, Deep Creek, East Doncaster, next Sunday, at 3 p.m. The archdeacon will also preach at Holy Trinity, Doncaster, in the even-ing at 7.30 p.m.
1906 'Croydon Brass Band.', The Reporter (Box Hill, Vic. : 1889 - 1925), 9 November, p. 7. , viewed 25 Mar 2023, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article92816937
The book: "Holy Trinity Anglican Church Doncaster Victoria - “The Church that stood among the orchards” compiled by Eric Ubergang and Mary Plumb 1997" references St Phillip’s Deep Creek (East Doncaster) Anglican Church:
St Phillip’s Deep Creek (East Doncaster).In 1906 a group of orchardists felt the need for a local church. They gathered a meeting together on the 24th September, 1906 along with the vicar of Holy Trinity Doncaster, Rev. A.R. Raymond. The residents of Deep Creek met at Mr Peter-Budge’s home on 24 September 1906 to form a committee with the desire of erecting a church wherein Divine Service and Sunday school could be held .The next meeting was held on 1 October 1906. Mr Speers’ tender of 77 pounds was accepted - the date of completion to be 4 November 1906. The contract was signed by Committee members AR Raymond, J Pump, H Pump, H Uebergang, L Peter-Budge, G. Schafter and C Aumann. The land on Andewrsons Creek Road was given by Mr H Pump and a church was built in 5 weeks at a cost of 100 pounds, 13 shillings ($201.13)
The church was a simple rectangular building with a high pitched roof and a small entrance porch at the front. The walls are constructed of timber weatherboards the roof of corrugated iron roof
The book at back I think referenced another book - “St Phillips Deep Creek 1906-1980” - compiled by members of the Ladies Guild.
A Brief History of the St. Phillips, Church of England, Deep Creek
Before the latter part of 1906, there was no church at Deep Creek and parishioners felt the need of a local church.
Reverend A. R. Raymond who was vicar of Holy Trinity, Doncaster, had plans and specifications of a small church which he had been instrumental in building and which was suitable for a church at Deep Creek.
He was asked to make enquiries re the cost of such a building. On 24th September, 1906, a meeting was held at the home of Mr. L. Peter-Budge, Reverend Raymond was chairman. Also present were Messrs. J. Pump, H. Pump, L. Peter-Budge, H. Pickering, R. Buck and Charles Aumann of Christ Church, Templestowe, who was elected secretary pro tem.
The chairman reported that he had received a tender from Mr. J. Speers for £82. However, at this stage, the committee of orchardists had no funds and it was felt that £82 was a lot of money. Mr. Speers was asked to submit another tender and to reduce his price by substituting a different class of timber.
The next meeting was held on 1st October 1906. Mr. Speers' new tender of £77 was accepted - the date of completion to be 4th November 1906. The contract was signed by Mr. J. Speers and committee members A. R. Raymond, J. Pump, H. Pump, H. Uebergang, L. Peter-Budge, G. Schafter and C. Aumann - the church to be built on land given by Mr. H. Pump for that purpose.
At this meeting, the Reverend Raymond promised a donation of £10 towards the cost of the building, provided the committee collected a similar amount. They were able to be this and the Building Fund commenced with £20.
Mr. J. Pump was elected treasurer, a position he held until 1932.
Before the 4th November, the date on which the building was to be completed, the committee decided on several extras, including the front porch, so that the total cost of the building was £100/13/0. It was insured for £100.
Mr. Speers must have had good weather and worked long hours. The church was completed on 4th November - the stipulated date.
It had been decided by the committee "that should there be any balance after all necessary items in connection with the church had been provided that a bonus be paid to Mr. Speers in recognition of the conscientious manner in which he had erected the building." He was paid a bonus of £3/10/0.
The first service was held on 11th November 1906 at 3 p.m. and the preacher was Archdeacon Crossley. A social evening was held on 16th November. Miss Mandy was the first organist and the average number of persons attending the services was forty.
It was typical of the people of that time, that having made up their minds to build a church, they lost no time in doing so and collecting the money to pay for it. Only five weeks had elapsed since the contract was signed and the building was opened on the proposed date free of debt. The parishioners must have been justly proud of their effort.
Mr. Charles Aumann and Mr. H. Pump were appointed to collect the offertory on that first Sunday. A great many people must have been present. The offertory was £7/10/0, threepence or sixpence was the usual offertory in those days.
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P2.
Building Fund Balance Sheet 1906: -
Donations:
From Diocesan Fund £20 0 0
From Christ Church Templestowe 5 0 0
Other donations 91 3 0
Offertory 7 10 0
£123 10 3
Cost of Building £100 13 0
Bonus to Builder 3 10 0
Paint 2 15 0
Organ 10 0 0
Church and Sunday
School Requisites 5 4 0
Insurance 0 14 6
Balance 0 13 9
£123 10 3
The Building Fund was closed and the balance of 13/9 was added to general funds of 1907.
The first general balance sheet was as follows: -
Receipts
Offertory 18th Nov.,1906
to 21st Dec., 1906 £4 13 7
Sale of fruit 0 14 0
£5 7 7
Expenditure
Stipend £4 13 7
Sundries 0 2 6
Balance 0 11 6
£5 7 7
After the opening of the church, the committee became the Guardians. Mr. L. Peter-Budge became secretary and he held that position until 1911.
A few cherry trees grew in the church ground. The fruit was sold and the money was paid into general funds.
For many years, until it was possible to make an annual contribution to stipend funds, it was usual to give the whole of the offertory to the clergy as St. Philips held towards the stipend except when the offertory was for some special fund.
St. Philipps has never been in debt but sometimes the credit balance at the end of the year has been very small. 1917 - one penny, 1919 – seven pence, 1926 - threepence.
If money was required for some job, the parishioners supplied it, but a great deal was done by voluntary labour - cleaning the church, keeping the ground in order, doing repairs and sometimes painting the church.
A table, two chairs, cups and saucers were presented to the church by Mr. and Mrs. H. Uebergang. For many years it was usual for Mrs. Uebergang to be in charge of the tea or coffee making at any social event.
1907. Some members of St. Philip's travelled to church by horse-drawn vehicle. It was decided to build a stable 16 ft. × 9 ft. containing three stalls. A collection from parishioners amounted to £5.19.0, enough to pay for materials, and it was erected by voluntary labour. It proved to be a very convenient place in which swagmen would camp the night, and "Old Mary" a woman swaggie who often roamed through Deep Creek and the surrounding district, would also use it on occasions.
At the annual meeting in January 1908, Reverend Raymond appointed Messrs. J. Pump and G. Schafter to be his representatives and the people's representatives were Messrs. I. Pump, H. Uebergang, E. Zerbe, W. Aumann, W. Heitch and L. Peter-Budge.
Messrs. J. Pump and L. Peter-Budge were elected to represent the (cont. p3)
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P3.
Guardians at the "Conference of Parishioners" with power to act. Messrs. Pump and E. Zerbe were appointed to collect the offertory during the year.
In 1911, Mr. E. Zerbe became secretary - a position he held until his resignation in 1947.
From 1911, Guardians became known as church-wardens and vestrymen.
Reverend Hennell who has succeeded Reverend Raymond, left the parish and the new vicar was Reverend Peterson. He came in 1913 - and married during his ministry at Doncaster. There is probably more than one small boy (and girl, too) of that time who remembers the lovely hat worn by Mrs. Peterson on her first visit to St. Philips.
Nearly eight years had passed since the church was built, and it needed painting. The vestry decided that if enough money could be collected and a painter found who would do the job for a reasonable price, that he be asked to be the painting, otherwise the vestry would have to do the painting themselves.
Enough money was collected and Mr. Willis painted the church three coats £8/14/0 and outbuildings two coats £1/5/0, a total of £9/19/0.
For several years Mr. J. Pump took the fruit brought to Harvest Festival to Austin Hospital. It has also been given to Blind Institute and St. John's Home at Canterbury, but for many years Mr. H. Schafter has delivered it to Broughton Home for Elderly Ladies.
Early in 1918, Reverend Peterson suggested to the vestrymen "that they would be wise to make a beginning of gathering means for the purpose of erecting a hall to be used as a Sunday School and for any social occasions."
After a great deal of discussion, the matter was dropped. It was not until 1944 that serious consideration was given to building a hall.
1921, and the vestry discussed fencing the church ground. Mr. H. Pump was asked to make enquiries re cost of a "front picket fence leaving out the two gate posts". Evidently the vestrymen were able to supply the gate posts.
No final decision was made regarding the fence until a year later and then the decision was "for an angle rail fence with plain wire below and including one pair of double gates",
In 1925, the retable, brass cross, and vases were dedicated by Reverend Durance.
There was no drinking water at the church. Mr. H. Pump would provide a bucket of water from his underground tank each Sunday and stand it in the porch. If a social event was held, he would bring water, copper and stand to the church ground so that the water could be boiled to make the tea or coffee.
In the year 1926, Mr. W. Aumann donated a water-tank and Mr. J. Pump erected it. The tank was in use for many years and although water was later available from the main, it was not until the tank was damaged in 1944, that water was connected to the church.
A row of Cypress trees was planted along the front fence in 1932, and in 1937 Mr. and Mrs. E. Zerbe presented a new organ to the church.
1944. Shelves erected in the porch on which to place hymn and prayer books were donated by Mr. G. Dunnett and Mr. H. Zerbe gave a Hymn-board in memory of his wife.
In 1944, it was felt that the time had come when thought should be given to the building of a hall. A fund-raising committee was formed, members of which were Misses A. Aumann, M. Aumann, P. Pump, J. Mahoney, E. Schafter (cont. p4)
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P4.
and Messrs. H. Zerbe, H. Schafter, A. Pump and W. Peter-Budge.
Mr. G. Dunnett joined the committee in 1946 in place of Miss Pump who left the district after her marriage and Mr. R. Thiele was elected in place of Miss A. Aumann on her resignation.
Social evenings were held in a number of homes, also Euchre parties. Several very successful fetes were held. A legacy of £250 was received from Estate of S. Whitten and many others gave donations. Funds gradually increased but it was not until 1955 that the hall was built.
Electricity was connected to the church in 1948 and light shades were given by R. Clay and H. Schafter.
In that year, a junior branch of the Girls' Friendly Society was formed under the leadership of Misses M. Aumann, and E. Schafter. Later, Miss Shirley Smith became a leader. An admission service was held on 27th June 1948 by Reverend Tom Thomas. As the church was the only place in which meetings could be held, the vestry gave permission for a curtain to be bought to enable the altar to be closed off on meeting nights, which sometimes took the form of recreation.
In 1952, a carpet for the sanctuary was donated by Mrs. W. Aumann, and electric light for the vestry by Mr. A. Pump.
The Ladies' Guild was formed in 1953 by Reverend A. A. Roberts with a membership of seventeen, but for several years the average membership has been thirty. The Guild has provided many amenities for the church.
A parishioners' meeting was held on 20th June 1955 to discuss the advisability of making a start on the hall building. Several people spoke of visits they had made to Sunday School halls and many interesting ideas were discussed.
A building committee of five was elected, Messrs. R. G. White, H. Schafter, L. Adams, Mrs. R. G. White and Mrs. H. White. This committee was distinct from the fund-raising committee.
Another meeting was held on 18th July 1955. It was decided to build a hall and have it completed at the earliest possible date. The contract was let to Mr. Spencer. Much help was given by Mr. Robert White and it was due to his efforts that the plans were passed and stamped in a very short time, thus enabling the building to be commenced.
It was opened free of debt and dedicated on 30th October 1955.
After Reverend A. Roberts had read the Archbishop's Licence granting permission to dedicate the hall, the Rural Dean of Hawthorn, Reverend Tidmarsh, conducted the Dedication service at which 130 people were present.
On that same Sunday, a new Altar Frontal given by Misses Aumann in memory of their mother, Mary Christina Aumann, was dedicated. After the service afternoon tea was provided by the Ladies' Guild.
The cost of the hall was £1521/12/10. Mr. Spencer had built it at no profit. Two parishioners gave voluntary service each working day. Thanks were due to Mr. N. McRury for electrical installation and Mr. J. Lee for plumbing and drainage.
During the ministry of Reverend Simondson, eight film services were held. These proved to be very popular.
The fiftieth anniversary of the church was celebrated on 11th November 1956 at 3 p.m.. Reverend Simondson, Reverend Roberts, Mr. Mai (lay reader (cont. p5)
P5.
for many years) were present and the preacher was Archdeacon Williams.
Several people present remembered that service of fifty years earlier and some had been baptized at the first baptismal service.
In 1959 Freewill Offertory envelopes were introduced and several of the congregation used them.
New pews built by W. Holly were presented to St. Philips by the Ladies' Guild and dedicated by Reverend J. Ryan on 19th December 1960.
The fifth Sunday of any month was originally Guild Sunday but for some years has been Family Service Sunday when parents, children and others attend service in the hall - the church would not accommodate the congregation which usually numbers sixty or more.
It is not possible to name all those who have been connected with the church, but the following people have at some time served on the vestry some of them for many years. Messrs. J. Pump, H. Pump, H. Uebergang, W. Heitch, G. Schafter, E. Zerbe, J. Sell, W. Aumann, L. Peter-Budge, V. Johnston, S. Maggs, E. Aumann, H. Zerbe, T. Buck, H. Aumann, H. Schafter, W. Peter-Budge, A. Pump, F. Aumann, Max Aumann, Arthur Peter-Budge, Alf Peter- Budge, E. Cruickschank, R. Clay, I. Peter-Budge, R. Thiele, K. Bethel, A. Mahoney.
Women were elected to the vestry in 1956 and members were Misses M. Aumann, G. Aumann, Mrs. N. Brooke, Mrs. H. Schafter.
Sixty years have passed since the church was built. The congregation is smaller than in those early days. The pioneers of the church have passed on, families are smaller, girls have married and left the district and subdivision has not yet taken place in Deep Creek.
Organists Secretaries Treasurers
Miss V. Munday 1906 Mr. C. Aumann 1906 Mr. J. Pump 1906
Miss N. Playle Mr. L. Peter-Budge 1907 Mr. W. Peter-Budge 1932
Miss H. Pump Mr. E. Zerbe 1911 Mr. E. Cruickshank 1952
Miss A. Aumann 1924 Mr. A. Pump 1947 Mr. Ivan Peter-Budge 1954
Mr. M. Aumann 1960 Mr. A. Pump 1955
Mr. H. Schafter 1957
St Phillips Sunday School
The first Sunday School classes were held on 18th November 1906, under the direction of Mr. Charles Aumann. He was in charge for a short time until Mr. Harry Pump became superintendent. Many years later he was succeeded by Mr. Ernest Zerbe, and on his resignation in 1947, Miss Mary Aumann became superintendent. The children who attended on that first Sunday were: - Mabel Budge, Ida Speers, Alice Pump, Elsie Speers, Emma Zerbe, Martha Zerbe, Esther Pump, Hilda Uebergang, Hilda Pump, Chrissie Gowty, Emma Uebergang, Bertha Zerbe, Gladys Reid, Edie Gowtry, Reginald Budge, Hubert Schafter, Gottlob Schafter, Edgar Budge, Arthur Budge, Frank Pump, Harry Schafter, William Budge, Otto Schafter, Harold Smith, Clifford Smith, Leslie Smith, Reggie Bradley.
Shortly after the following were enrolled: - Oswald Zerbe, Tom Buck, Frederic Pimp, Ida Pump, Herbert Aumann, Eric Aumann, Amy Reid, Audrey Bradley, Amy Smith, Tottie Hardidge, Ernest Schafter, George Buck.
(by) Stella M. Schafter.
Source: an undated typed 6-page typed document DTHS archives. Prepared by Mrs Stella Schafter sometime before her death in 1972. Stella was the wife of Harry Schafter. Harry was the son of Gottlob Schafter - one of the original church committee members responsible for the construction of the church in 1906. Stella and her husband Harry had a long association with the church . Transcribed November 2023
