Our History
The following information was compiled from material prepared for the 90th Anniversary celebrations for Holy Trinity,
in September 1957.
“The Church of England folk who came to Sebastopol a century ago worshipped in a wooden building behind our brick church. These pioneers soon planned a more beautiful House of God. On 16thSeptember 1867 Archdeacon Stretch laid the foundation stone of the front portion of the Church: it measured 30ft x 36ft, and was designed by Mr HR Caselli at an estimated cost of 600 (it would eventually cost 877/1/3). The Chancel end was closed in with wood to allow for future extensions and the Church was opened for worship by Bishop Perry on 26 January 1868. In three years the Church was too small and was enlarged to its present size and re-opened for worship on 13th March 1870, the preacher being Dean Macartney. Mr N F Humpage (sic) was Reader-in-Charge. The Rev’d Qualter Soares was the first Vicar. In the east wall and extension stone records the opening date of the completed church as it stands now. The Church was restored and beautified and re-hallowed by the Bishop of Ballarat, the Right Rev’d Dr WH Johnson on Sunday 23 September 1956.”
Since 1957 the Church has continued to be a part of the community in Sebastopol, generations of parishioners and clergy have worked hard to make the church the active presence of Christ in the community.
January 26th 2018 marked 150 years since the first service was held in the current parish church, a Eucharist was held on the 28th of January to celebrate this milestone and to look forward to another 150 years!
in September 1957.
“The Church of England folk who came to Sebastopol a century ago worshipped in a wooden building behind our brick church. These pioneers soon planned a more beautiful House of God. On 16thSeptember 1867 Archdeacon Stretch laid the foundation stone of the front portion of the Church: it measured 30ft x 36ft, and was designed by Mr HR Caselli at an estimated cost of 600 (it would eventually cost 877/1/3). The Chancel end was closed in with wood to allow for future extensions and the Church was opened for worship by Bishop Perry on 26 January 1868. In three years the Church was too small and was enlarged to its present size and re-opened for worship on 13th March 1870, the preacher being Dean Macartney. Mr N F Humpage (sic) was Reader-in-Charge. The Rev’d Qualter Soares was the first Vicar. In the east wall and extension stone records the opening date of the completed church as it stands now. The Church was restored and beautified and re-hallowed by the Bishop of Ballarat, the Right Rev’d Dr WH Johnson on Sunday 23 September 1956.”
Since 1957 the Church has continued to be a part of the community in Sebastopol, generations of parishioners and clergy have worked hard to make the church the active presence of Christ in the community.
January 26th 2018 marked 150 years since the first service was held in the current parish church, a Eucharist was held on the 28th of January to celebrate this milestone and to look forward to another 150 years!