Judy Parker and Tom Marrow with the new bell at St Silas By Paul Dunlop
THE bell of St Silas will again ring loud over Gembrook.
More than a decade after the original was dramatically stolen, a new bell has been purchased to help celebrate the church’s 100th birthday.
St Silas was founded in 1905 and has had a colourful history, surviving storms, floods and drought to provide a beacon of faith for generations of worshippers.
A special gathering at the Anglican church this Saturday, 1 October, will mark the centenary.
Church member Beth Parker said it would be a special event.
“We hope it is a memorable day,” she said.
The new bell will take pride of place in the beautifully restored bell tower, which will be rededicated.
The restoration of the bell tower is a project recently completed by congregation members Bruno Bartosch, an engineer, and Tom Marrow, an artist. Funding for the restoration project came from Cardinia Shire’s heritage grant scheme.
St Silas is believed to be the only privately owned Anglican church in Victoria. It was bought by Beth’s sister Judy Parker in March, 1994.
The Parker family have been key figures in the church.
In a strange twist, the bell was stolen on the same day Judy took possession of the church. The Cockatoo CFA bell was also stolen but later recovered.
Judy said the tower was donated by the Russell family in the 1940s after Bill Russell and his son Bardie were out fishing on Port Phillip Bay when bad weather hit.
“They were lost at sea for many hours,” she said. “When Bill had given up all hope of rescue, he prayed that if their lives were spared from this ordeal, he would donate a bell and belfry to St Silas. Fortunately, their lives were saved and the bell tower was duly erected.”
The story of the bell tower is one of many momentous episodes in the church’s history.
Judy’s father Genseric (Bill) was baptised and confirmed at St Silas during a lifelong association while mother Lorna played the organ for several decades and ran a thriving Sunday school during the 1960s.
Judy bought the new church bell from the Nepalese town of Patan in memory of her many years running a trekking business in the Himalayas, where beautiful bells adorn shrines in every village.
Its peal will sound the message that all is well again at St Silas.
