From November 23 to 25 this year, the charming river church of St Matthias’ will host the celebration of 175 years of public worship and pastoral care in the Windermere community.
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Another celebration will be the wonderful love story surrounding young Dr Mathias Gaunt and his devout wife Frances, nee Green.
The descendants of the 15 Gaunt children and Green families will be coming from far and wide to give thanks and mark the occasion.
Mathias, his wife and four children arrived in Hobart in May 1831 on the ship Eliza. He was given a grant of land on the east side of the Tamar which he named Windermere.
There he engaged in agriculture and forestry and planted a vineyard.
He also built a steam saw mill, later converting it to a flour mill.
Gaunt also fulfilled a promise made to his devoted wife and gave land for the building of a church, St Matthias’, on the river bank.
The work began in 1842 and was completed in 1843.
Robert de Little was responsible for the plans and oversight of the work.
He also made and installed the pulpit and fan-light and the front door.
His last account was for yellow ochre to colour the outer walls.
St Matthias’ Church was consecrated in 1845 by the first Bishop of Tasmania, Russell Francis Nixon who consecrated the burial ground beside the church.
Buried there are members of Windermere’s pioneer families from both sides of the Tamar; Wings, Coulsons, Gaunts, Rosevears, Hills, Atkinsons and others.
The first marriage at Windermere was William Henry Rosevear to Sarah Plummer in August 1845.
The first child baptised was Emma, daughter of Mary Ann Goodson in May 1846 and the first use of the burial ground took place when Ann Hill aged 29 was laid to rest in August 1846.
She was married to farmer William Hill.
The first music was accompanied by a flute which has been handed down through the Gaunt family and will be played at the celebration.
In 1856 a harmonium was purchased to enliven the worship with good hymn singing.
This was made by Alexandre and Son of Paris and is now at Entally House.
Further purchases made were a Communion plate and a bell from Thomas Fulton costing £17.13.6, plus 10 shillings for installation.
The pews are not original but were placed in St Matthias’ in 1947 conveying a special beauty and dignity.
Now with the meeting of old families descended from 175 years ago, it is surely time for a celebration and revival at St Matthias’ Church, Windermere, Tasmania.
