St Clement's Church is a historic former Church of England building located at 5958 Great Alpine Road, Eurobin, Alpine Shire, Victoria, Australia. It is listed as a heritage site by the Alpine Shire Council,Alpine Shire Council - Eurobin - Heritage Citation Report - File No. AS0313, retrieved from https://www.alpineshire.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/Eurobin.pdf and is the only remaining community building in Eurobin.Robertson, K. (1973). Myrtleford: Gateway to the Alps. Rigby.
History The construction of the church began on 6 February 1910, and was funded by the local residents at an estimated cost of £200.*Ovens and Murray Advertiser* (19 March 1910) (Pg 3) "Myrtleford - from our own correspondent"*Preacher's Record Book* (March 1910) (copy of original record provided by Alpine Anglican Parish) It was dedicated by Bishop Thomas Armstrong (bishop) on 11 March 1910, with the first service held two days later on 13 March 1910 by Reverend James Leslie Watt.*Church of England* (22 January 1954) *The Church of England Messenger* (Pg 14) "Obituary - Canon J. L. Watt" and attended by 40 people. The church served as a centre for worship and community events until its final service on 21 March 1971, led by Reverend George Austin Rigby and attended by four people.*Preacher's Record Book* (March 1971) (copy of original record provided by Alpine Anglican Parish)
Following its deconsecration in 1971, the church and its land remained unused until they were privately purchased by Rupert and Josephine Saines in 1982.D'Arcy, E. (February 2010) *The Myrtleford Times* "From Crafted Church to Home, Eurobin Landmark to Turn 100" In 1986, the Saines family built a brick house on the property, located some distance behind the church.Shire of Bright - Project Building Specifications 86/269 - (6 October 1986) Under their care, the church hosted various community gatherings, including weddings, baptisms, and funerals. After Rupert and Josephine died, the property was sold and the title transferred to the current owner on 22 February 2021.landata.online (Accessed 14 July 2024) Title History Search Statement "00735307400092024071410510001.pdf"
In April 2024, restoration efforts began to repair significant wood rot, termite damage, and peeling paint on the building's exterior, aiming to restore the church to its former state while observing the heritage overlay requiring the exterior paint to remain in its original colour.
Architecture and construction
St. Clement's Church is a small weatherboard building of Gothic architecture style, topped with a tin roof. Architecturally, it is representative of the small, rural churches common throughout Australia in the early 20th century. The church's construction includes Baltic pine for the weatherboards and ceiling, jarrah for the floorboards, cedar (Toona ciliata) for the interior walls, and walnut (Juglans) for the altar rail. While Baltic pine remains accessible, jarrah, cedar, and walnut are now considered rare and costly, adding to the historical value of the building's materials.Mackintosh, A. (29 October 2021) *ABC News*, "If not native jarrah, where does WA get its hardwood?" Retrieved from Vader, J. (1987). *Red Cedar: The Tree of Australia's History*. Reed Books, Sydney, NSW. The structure is divided into four main areas: the narthex (entryway), nave, chancel, and vestry (sacristy), and features distinctive stained glass windows in pink and green.
References
External links St. Clement's Church, Eurobin Facebook page – Updates and photos of the church's restoration and renovations
St. Clement's: The Church That Couldn't Wait A Sacred Relic Returns: The Tale of St. John's Pulpit and St. Clement's Church The Quest for Bread and Wine: A Childhood Memory at the Altar Rail