Marry Me



St Lukes Church Richmond Tasmania

  On Sunday, I drove through Richmond and stopped to take photos of St Lukes Church, where Ephraim and Bridget married in 1850. I wonder whether the moment of their marriage took their attention or whether they had time to look around and enjoy the atmosphere. Did they notice the warmth of the sandstone, quarried from Butcher's Hill to the right of the church or the interest of the curved ceiling with the interest of the open timberwork. Erected in 1835, at a cost of 1000 pounds, the church was designed by John Lee Archer and took only 22 months to build. It originally had cedar fittings and a three decker pulpit. This was surrounded by high backed box pews, fitted with doors and from which it was difficult to see out, no doubt, intended to keep the parishioner's thoughts from wandering.
These continued two thirds of the way down the church. Behind these, were backless benches on which the prisoners sat. Above in the gallery sat the choir.



Rear of church





 Ephraim and Bridget were both in their early thirties when they married, he a farm servant and she a servant. Bridget had been widowed before her arrival in Australia but for Ephraim it was his first marriage. He had however previously been given permission to marry Ann Connors but very wisely changed his mind.



Looking towards door at rear of church, showing choir gallery.