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St Barnabas Anglican Memorial Church, Urunga

St Barnabas Anglican Memorial Church, Urunga
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Image
Bob Malone, Bellingen Shire Council
Image
Bob Malone, Bellingen Shire Council
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Description / Background

The memorial is a large brick and tile Anglican church in Urunga, dedicated to those who served in the First and Second World Wars. Dedication plaques are set in the front of the church exterior, beneath a large wooden cross. On one side of the church is a sanctuary hall. The church has a high gabled roof and at the front is a large portico entrance. 

In June 1945 a meeting of parishioners unanimously decided to rebuild the church, originally founded in 1899, as a war memorial church (Daily Examiner, 8 June 1945). A Church of England War Memorial Church Building Fund was created, and fundraising activities commenced, including a Monster Rodeo and Woodchop at Urunga held on Easter Monday, 22 April 1946, with prizes to the value of £200 (Daily Examiner, 14 February 1946). Numerous fundraising events continued over the next few years in aid of the Building Fund, including sports carnivals and grand balls.

Following the Second World War, shortages of building materials influenced building plans including public halls and churches. It was not until 30 April 1960 that a memorial plaque dedicated in memory of those who served in the two World Wars was set by the Right Reverend K J Clements, Bishop of Grafton. The church was officially consecrated on 11 June 1969 by the Right Reverend Robert Gordon Arthur, Bishop of Grafton. The architect of the church was R J Board and Son.

Inscription

Plaque 1

The
Sanctuary and Hall
of this Church were
Hallowed
by
+ Donald
Bishop of Grafton
21, June 1984
Parish Priest:
The Rev'd Fr. Eric Griffith

Plaque 2

Laus Deo

This Stone was set by the
Rt. Rev. Robert Gordon Arthur
Sixth Lord Bishop of Grafton
to mark the consecration
of this Church
of St. Barnabas the Apostle
on the eleventh of June A.D 1969
The Rev. Sidney Welch.

Plaque 3

To The Glory of God
and in memory of those who
served in two world wars
this stone was set by
The RT. Rev. K. J. Clements
Bishop of Grafton
30th April 1960
R. J Board & Son - Architects
Rev. A J Gerlach - Director

Veterans listed on this memorial

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Address
St Barnabas Anglican Memorial Church
3 Bowra Street
Urunga NSW 2455
Local Government Area
Bellingen Shire
Setting
Roadside
Location status
Original location
Memorial type
Building
Recorded by
Bob Malone, Bellingen Shire Council. Graham Wilson
Year of construction
1959-1960
Dedication date
30 April 1960
Conflict/s
First World War, 1914–18
Second World War, 1939–45
Materials
Brick
Concrete
Glass
Marble
Timber