Lorne, Victoria, Australia

There are currently three churches in Lorne.

Early Church Services

Edward Hall a temperance missionary from Birregurra, an Englishman, was affectionately called The Bishop because he fancied himself as a preacher and often conducted services at Erskine House and The Sanctuary above the Rapids on the Erskine River. It was said that he rarely stopped talking and had a large stock of doubtful stories that some said were as tall as the surrounding blue gums. He was a natural philosopher and used his communication skills to earn a living as a tourist guide in Lorne. Edward had a close affinity with nature and was often seen standing on top of a hill wearing his red hairpiece, admiring the view and praying to God. An accomplished artist, whose method was to use a twisted cloth on a stick, he left a beautiful collection of his work for future generations to enjoy: The Lorne Historical Society has twenty copies of these important, historical paintings of Lorne c.1880.

The sanctuary is located about five minutes up a walking track from the rapids a beautiful place so sacred and geologically unique that religious ministers used it as a place of worship, before churches were established in Lorne. The rocks form a natural seating area, for a natural church service to be held.

Sources:

  • Lorne Historical Society Collections
  • Lorne A Living History by Doug Stirling

All Saints Anglican Church

In the early 1870’s visiting clergy held Divine Service at the Sanctuary, a glen beside the Erskine River, and later at Erskine House. In November 1880 All Saints was opened, the first church to be built in Lorne. Four years later, with the aid of a team of bullocks and eleven horses, the church was...
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Catholic Church

Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church Located at 33-37 Smith Street, the church was opened on 15th January 1956. Opening of the Catholic Church. (LHS photo 2159) ROSE SERIES P. 13766      

St Cuthbert’s Uniting Church

UNDER CONSTRUCTION   St Cuthberts Church was built in 1892 by Andrew Sanger, uncle of Doug Stirling. It was built with baltic pine that arrived in Lorne in Australia as ballast on ships coming from Europe. It also used red pine that was sent out from America for architrave and skirting boards, all hand-planed on...
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