Rose Park, South Australia
JAMES GARTRELL MEMORIAL
CHURCH.
FOUNDATION-STONE LAID.
There was a large gathering at the corner of Alexandra Avenue and Prescott Terrace, Rose Park, on Saturday afternoon, when the foundation-stone of the new Methodist Church in course of erection there was laid. The church, which
is an offshoot of the Kent Town Methodist Church, will be known as the James Gartrell Memorial Church, in honor of its donor. The Rev. F. Lade presided, and the proceedings were opened with a hymn and prayer by the Rev. W. A. Langsford.
The Chairman said the church was the gift of Mr. James Gartrell, not partly, but wholly, because he had also promised
to provide the furniture. God had put it into his heart to give the church. Mr. Gartrell, however, felt that someone other than himself should lay the foundation stone, and he had asked one of the leading citizens in South Australia, to perform
the ceremony. That gentleman declined because he said there was only one man who should lay the stone, and that was the donor, and the trustees were of the same opinion. In the cavity of the stone had been placed a list of the trustees and also the name of the president of the
conference (Rev. H. Howard), and the usual newspapers. The chairman presented a silver trowel and a mallet to Mr. Gartrell, which bore the inscription - "Presented to James Gartrell on the occasion
of his laying the foundation-stone of the James Gartrell Memorial Church, February 14, 1914." Mr. Gartrell then declared the stone well and truly laid to
the honor and glory of God. On the stone were the words, "This Methodist Church was erected to the glory of God by James Gartrell. This foundation-stone
was laid by the donor on the 14th of February, 1014." Mr. Gartrell said some years ago the trustees of the Kent Town circuit thought the time had arrived when something should be done to have a church at Rose Park., A committee was appointed, and on their report being received by the trustees the manager of
the South Australian Company , (Mr. Moore) was interviewed, and subsequently that block of land, measuring 100 ft. to Alexandra-avenue, and 335 ft. to Prescott terrace, was purchased for £500. Mr. Moore was reminded that it was proposed
to erect a church on the land, and it would probably increase the value of property in the neighborhood, and the purchase money was thereupon reduced by £100. There was a great future for their cause in that locality, and provision had been made to extend the church accommodation when that was necessary.
The Rev. Vivian Roberts eceived the gift on behalf of the Conference, and spoke in terms of admiration of the donor. Messrs. Arnold Davey (one of the trustees) and Mr. Peter Wood (chairman of the Burnside District Council) also made appreciative remarks.
The inside measurements of the church are 79 by 33 ft., and there are two vestries and an organ chamber. Mr. W.
Ligertwood is the contractor for the mason work, and Mr. W. Essery. for the carpentering. Messrs. Woods, Bagot, and
Jory are the architects.
Source:
trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/5414053 