Naval Chapel, Garden Island NSW
Encyclopedia
Garden Island, New South Wales
Garden Island is an inner-city locality of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. It is located to the north-east of the Sydney central business district, north of the suburb of Potts Point....
dockyard is the oldest Christian
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
chapel
Chapel
A chapel is a building used by Christians as a place of fellowship and worship. It may be part of a larger structure or complex, such as a church, college, hospital, palace, prison or funeral home, located on board a military or commercial ship, or it may be an entirely free-standing building,...
of the Royal Australian Navy
Royal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
(RAN). It was established in 1902 after conversion from the former sail loft., and has stained glass windows and plaques from that era to the present. The building is the oldest on Garden Island, two storey, built of stucco
Stucco
Stucco or render is a material made of an aggregate, a binder, and water. Stucco is applied wet and hardens to a very dense solid. It is used as decorative coating for walls and ceilings and as a sculptural and artistic material in architecture...
ed brick with stone sills, arches and columns. The original loft floor of timber remains, caulked with oakum
Oakum
Oakum is a preparation of tarred fiber used in shipbuilding, for caulking or packing the joints of timbers in wooden vessels and the deck planking of iron and steel ships, as well as cast iron plumbing applications...
and bitumen.
Setting
Garden Island is on the southern shore of Port JacksonPort Jackson
Port Jackson, containing Sydney Harbour, is the natural harbour of Sydney, Australia. It is known for its beauty, and in particular, as the location of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge...
, the proper name for the harbour at Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It is second promontory east of the Sydney Harbour Bridge
Sydney Harbour Bridge
The Sydney Harbour Bridge is a steel through arch bridge across Sydney Harbour that carries rail, vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian traffic between the Sydney central business district and the North Shore. The dramatic view of the bridge, the harbour, and the nearby Sydney Opera House is an iconic...
.
The Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
used the island from February 1788, just a month after Australia's colonisation by the First Fleet
First Fleet
The First Fleet is the name given to the eleven ships which sailed from Great Britain on 13 May 1787 with about 1,487 people, including 778 convicts , to establish the first European colony in Australia, in the region which Captain Cook had named New South Wales. The fleet was led by Captain ...
, as a garden for provisioning first and later the fleet based in the port. During the nineteenth century, the island became the support base for the fleet and various buildings were established including houses for senior staff.
The stone and brick Rigging building was built in 1887, on the shoreside shelf at the northern end of the island, in which the chapel was later established. The building bears the dedication "VRI 1887", alluding to its construction during the reign of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom
Victoria of the United Kingdom
Victoria was the monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death. From 1 May 1876, she used the additional title of Empress of India....
("Victoria Regina Imperatrix"). The building now sits at the north-eastern end of the Captain Cook Dry Dock]], which was constructed in the channel between the island and the mainland and connected the island to the mainland shore at Potts Point
Potts Point, New South Wales
Potts Point is a small, densely-populated suburb of inner-city Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Potts Point is located 3 kilometres east of the Sydney central business district and is part of the local government area of the City of Sydney....
. The building has been restored, including the wrought iron swing cranes adjacent to each major upper doorway which were formerly used to get rigging to and from the upper floor. These doorways in the Chapel are now stained glass windows. The main entrance is from the northern side. 33°51′44.5"S 151°13′40.8"E
Entrance
The entrance from street level leads to the winding wooden staircase to the main Chapel (right), and Chapel of Remembrance (left).At the entrance are three stained glass windows representing:
- the Royal Australian Navy fleet and Battle HonourBattle honourA battle honour is an award of a right by a government or sovereign to a military unit to emblazon the name of a battle or operation on its flags , uniforms or other accessories where ornamentation is possible....
s (around the main entrance doors); - the Women's Royal Australian Naval ServiceWomen's Royal Australian Naval ServiceThe Service was established in April 1941 when the Royal Australian Navy enrolled 14 women at HMAS Harman, the wireless telegraphy station near Canberra. Two women were stewards, and 12 trained as telegraphists...
(WRANS);
On the wall opposite the entrance doors, midway on the stairs, is a map showing the places where RAN Honours have been won, with at each side the current and former White Ensign
White Ensign
The White Ensign or St George's Ensign is an ensign flown on British Royal Navy ships and shore establishments. It consists of a red St George's Cross on a white field with the Union Flag in the upper canton....
s of the RAN.
Main Chapel
The pulpit is shaped like the bow of a boat.
Colours
The Chapel houses the laid up or decommissioned Fleet monarch's Colours (Standards) received by the RAN since its formation in 1911, from:- George V of the United KingdomGeorge V of the United KingdomGeorge V was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 through the First World War until his death in 1936....
- Elizabeth II of the United KingdomElizabeth II of the United KingdomElizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
(two colours)
The current Fleet Colour is held at Fleet Headquarters, HMAS KUTTABUL, whilst the location of the Colour presented during the reign of King George VI is unknown.
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Windows
Right of altar:
- Australian Submarine Flotilla (World War IWorld War IWorld War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
): Australian submarine AE1 and AE2
Right wall:
- the aircraft carrier and the first three warships named with adjacent baptismBaptismIn Christianity, baptism is for the majority the rite of admission , almost invariably with the use of water, into the Christian Church generally and also membership of a particular church tradition...
al font
Back wall & door:
- The s
- The door opens to a balcony with a bellChurch bellA church bell is a bell which is rung in a church either to signify the hour or the time for worshippers to go to church, perhaps to attend a wedding, funeral, or other service...
to call worshipers
- The door opens to a balcony with a bell
Left side:
- The World War II cruisers HMAS ShropshireHMS Shropshire (73)HMS Shropshire was a Royal Navy heavy cruiser of the London sub-class of County class cruisers. She is the only warship to have been named after Shropshire, England. Completed in 1929, Shropshire served with the RN until 1942, when she was transferred to the Royal Australian Navy following the...
and - Cruisers and small craft - Australia, Africa, and South Seas; World War I: , , , , , .
- Town class cruisersTown class cruiser (1910)The Town class was a group of twenty-one light cruisers built for the Royal Navy and Royal Australian Navy . These vessels were long-range cruisers, suitable for patrolling the vast expanse covered by the British Empire...
: and - HM Australian Destroyer Flotilla 1914-1918: HMA Ships , , , , ,
Behind the pulpit:
- Chaplain Vivian Ward Thompson BABachelor of ArtsA Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
, died 9 January 1943 - Australian Naval Reserve, WWI : RAN ReserveRoyal Australian Naval ReserveThe Royal Australian Naval Reserve is the volunteer reserve force of the Royal Australian Navy in Australia.The current Royal Australian Naval Reserve was formed in June 1973 by merging the former RANR and the Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve....
& RAN Volunteer ReserveRANVRRoyal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve is a defunct reserve force of the Royal Australian Navy. The current Royal Australian Naval Reserve was formed in June 1973, from a merger of the RANVR and the RANR ....
- "Australia's first losses in the Great War were RANR personnel at Kaba Kaul, New BritainNew BritainNew Britain, or Niu Briten, is the largest island in the Bismarck Archipelago of Papua New Guinea. It is separated from the island of New Guinea by the Dampier and Vitiaz Straits and from New Ireland by St. George's Channel...
, 11 Sep 1914"
Left of altar
Plaques
Plaques adorn the main Chapel in great number. Several poignant plaques are:- 1987 plaque by four sons remembering their fathers:
- Fathers:
- Captain Emile F.V. Dechaineux, RAN DSCDistinguished Service Cross (Australia)The Distinguished Service Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Australian Defence Force. It is awarded for distinguished command and leadership in action. The DSC was introduced in 1991 and is the highest distinguished service decoration in the Australian Honours System...
Legion of MeritLegion of MeritThe Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
USA (b. 1902, d. of wounds Battle of Leyte GulfBattle of Leyte GulfThe Battle of Leyte Gulf, also called the "Battles for Leyte Gulf", and formerly known as the "Second Battle of the Philippine Sea", is generally considered to be the largest naval battle of World War II and, by some criteria, possibly the largest naval battle in history.It was fought in waters...
, 21 October 1944); - Commander Vincent E. Kennedy, RAN OBEOrder of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
Order of Orange Nassau (b. 1901, d. 25 March 1981); - Commander William H. Martin, RAN (b. 1903, d. killed in action Battle of Sunda StraitBattle of Sunda StraitThe Battle of Sunda Strait was a naval battle which occurred during World War II. On the night of 28 February – 1 March 1942, the Australian light cruiser and the American heavy cruiser faced a major Imperial Japanese Navy task force. After a fierce battle of several hours duration, both Allied...
28 February 1942); - Commander John F. Rayment, RAN DSCDistinguished Service Cross (Australia)The Distinguished Service Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Australian Defence Force. It is awarded for distinguished command and leadership in action. The DSC was introduced in 1991 and is the highest distinguished service decoration in the Australian Honours System...
MID (b. 1900, d. of wounds Battle of Leyte GulfBattle of Leyte GulfThe Battle of Leyte Gulf, also called the "Battles for Leyte Gulf", and formerly known as the "Second Battle of the Philippine Sea", is generally considered to be the largest naval battle of World War II and, by some criteria, possibly the largest naval battle in history.It was fought in waters...
, 21 October 1944);
- Captain Emile F.V. Dechaineux, RAN DSC
- Sons:
- Commodore P.G.V Dechaineux, AMOrder of AustraliaThe Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
RAN - Rear Admiral P.G.V. Kennedy, AOOrder of AustraliaThe Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
RAN - Rear Admiral D.J. Martin, AO RAN
- Commodore M.B. Rayment, AM RAN
- Commodore P.G.V Dechaineux, AM
- Fathers:
- Reverend Thomas H.D. Morgan BA
- First chaplain to the Mission to Seamen Australia, 1895–1908
- Chaplain (non-Naval) to the Royal NavalRoyal NavyThe Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
Station Garden Island 1900-1908
- Captain Engineer J.W.N Bull, RAN
- d. 12 December 1956 while serving as General Manager, Garden Island Dockyard
- Captain R.G. Parker OBEOrder of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
RAN (d. 6 July 1985)- General Manager, Garden Island Dockyard 1957-1959
- Managing Director, Cockatoo Island Dockyard 1962-1971
- Tablet, erected by members of the NSW Naval Forces:
- Surgeon Lieutenant J. Steel
- Able Seamen E. Rose, A.J. Bennet, J. Hamilton
- Privates T.J. Rogers, C.W. Smart
- late of the NSW Contingent, lost their lives on active service in China 1900-1901 (Boxer RebellionBoxer RebellionThe Boxer Rebellion, also called the Boxer Uprising by some historians or the Righteous Harmony Society Movement in northern China, was a proto-nationalist movement by the "Righteous Harmony Society" , or "Righteous Fists of Harmony" or "Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists" , in China between...
)
- late of the NSW Contingent, lost their lives on active service in China 1900-1901 (Boxer Rebellion
- Captain Francis Dixson, RN
- Founded the NSW Naval Brigade in 1863, which he commanded until 1901
- Raised and commanded the Naval Forces which served in China 1900
- Chief Petty Officer Rodney K. Jackson (24 November 1950 - 3 August 1979)
- Lost overboard in Bass StraitBass StraitBass Strait is a sea strait separating Tasmania from the south of the Australian mainland, specifically the state of Victoria.-Extent:The International Hydrographic Organization defines the limits of the Bass Strait as follows:...
- Lost overboard in Bass Strait
- William J. Danahay (24 March 1902 - 24 August 1976)
- Born on Garden Island
Side chapels
Two side chapels lead off the main chapel, at the right, one each for Protestant and CatholicCatholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
worship. Both have access only from the main Chapel; the Catholic chapel is at the rear, the Protestant near the front. A door connects the two, and also gives access to a small robing room that is shared with the main chapel. Each chapel has seating for about 20 people with an altar and lectern
Lectern
A lectern is a reading desk with a slanted top, usually placed on a stand or affixed to some other form of support, on which documents or books are placed as support for reading aloud, as in a scripture reading, lecture, or sermon...
.
Chapel of Remembrance
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
RAN, Flag Officer Naval Support Command, and dedicated by Principal Chaplains Michael Holtz AM RANR and Gareth Clayton RAN and Chaplain J.F.B. Connelly RAN.
The front wall of is faceted to allow plaques to be placed on the wooden screens. Tow rough-hewn posts stand in the body of the chapel. The altar is a simple wooden block of a sandstone plinth, standing on a raised area at the front wall.
Features
Three windows are on the left wall:- a modern rendition of John 15:13, "The greatest love you can have for your friends is to give your life for them."
- a stylised, back-lit, monochrome rendition of the naval ensigns
- Australian Destroyers, World War II:
- HMA Ships , , , , - the Scrap Iron FlotillaScrap Iron FlotillaThe Scrap Iron Flotilla was an Australian destroyer group that operated in the Mediterranean and Pacific during World War II. The name scrap iron flotilla was bestowed upon the group by Nazi Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels....
- HMA Ships , , , , - Q class and Tribal class
- HMA Ships , , , , - N class
- HMA Ships , , , , - the Scrap Iron Flotilla
- A bas-relief in bronze of the family members of naval personnel on sandstone is by the arch door.