St Andrew's Anglican Church Carrick

ST ANDREW'S, CARRICK

The church at Carrick had its beginnings as far back as 1843, when the area was visited by the Rev. John Bishton from Westbury. It was he who saw the need for a future church to service the growing number of free settlers.

The following year in 1844, Thomas Reiby was ordained and was the first Tasmanian to take Holy Orders.He was immediately placed in charge of Carrick and Hadspen. Of course there was no church at that period, so Reiby held services in a blacksmith's shop.

Services were moved from the shop to the brick schoolhouse, which Reiby purchased at his own expense. With endeavour, Reiby converted the old schoolhouse into a church.At this time it was without the castellated tower.

The church was officially opened by Archdeacon Marriott and consecrated by Bishop Nixon (who seems to have been everywhere) on the 25th November, 1845.

Reiby also lived at Entally House at Hadspen situated to the left coming from Launceston just after crossing the bridge. Here Reiby lived in his later patronage.

In January, 1868, Tasmania was host to the Duke of Edinburgh who had journeyed from Hobart Town to Launceston. The Duke toured back to Hobart, in a coach loaned by Reiby of Entally.

Things progressed at St Andrew's and by 1850 congregations were swelling.Some statistics are worth noting from the year of 1850 regarding church attendance. Out of the entire colony's population of 30,000 (many were still convicts) 18,424 attended church regularly. It should be remembered that of those not

included in attending many could not do so because of isolation and long distances.

Reiby visited England and made many friends of the Oxford movement. Henry Manning was one of these friends; he was Archdeacon of Chichester until he seceded to Rome.

Manning presented Reiby with a unique set of communion vessels, which are still used at St Andrew's.They date from 1843 and upon them is inscribed, 'Copied from a cup taken from the stone coffin of Hilary, Bishop of Chichester, A.D. 1148'.

In 1863, the tower was added giving the total impression of the church which stands today.

Thomas Reiby continued on at Carrick until 1862, when he was replaced by Rev. A. N. Mason. Several times however, he was absent from his charge. At one stage of his career he was moved to Launceston to take charge of Holy Trinity for three years. After Trinity his brother, James was placed in charge of Carrick and he of Hadspen. Between 1853 and 1854 Rev. Augustus

Barkway was at St Andrew's, but it is not known whether he was in charge or just assisting Reiby.

Inside the church there is a stained glass window placed there by Charlotte William Powlett of Devonshire, England in memory of her grandparents James and Charlotte Reiby of 'Moreton', and of Archdeacon Thomas Reiby of Entally, 'who built and endowed this church in the year 1846'