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The First Church Service in Denmark
"Dr Riley, Bishop of Perth, preached at Denmark River."
This one line item in the Albany Advertiser of 28th July 1896 appears to record the first Church of England Service in Denmark.
Early Days
The company town of Denmark was established in 1895 by Millars Karri and Jarrah Forests Limited, as part of the development of the hardwood timber industry in the Great Southern region of Western Australia.
Families living in the new town suggested that a school and a building for church services were essential if married couples with children were to remain to form a stable work force.
The Rev Howell Griffiths was appointed Rector of the Albany Parish in early 1898. Soon afterwards he reported that he was conducting Church of England services at Denmark every three weeks, besides visiting the school and the sick, both in the town and the surrounding bush. He hired the public hall for six months and arranged for Mr Alban Marshall to conduct services as a Lay Reader.
A Church is Built
Designed by Perth architect Percy Harrison in early 1899, the church was completed by voluntary labour on its present site, donated by Millars. Structural timber was provided by the company at a discount price.
The church is framed in the local hardwood, karri, and clad externally with karri weatherboards. Internal walls and ceiling linings are in Baltic pine. Match-boarding and the floors are of sawn and hand adzed hardwood boards.
The interior features an unusual Gothic arch in the sanctuary. The detailing and use of Baltic pine are said to reflect the influence of Norwegian mill workers. The original plans incorporated an organ loft and a bell tower, but these were never built.
On the last Sunday of October 1899 Bishop Riley dedicated the completed building and congratulated the people of the town on "the splendid little church they had built". Dr Colin Gray and Mr Robert Price were the first church wardens.
Early History
The church was closed in 1904 when the saw mill shut down and people moved from the town. In 1909 it re-opened and in 1914 the local church committee decided that it was time the church bear the name of a patron saint, rather than remain known as "The Mission Church". Bishop Goldsmith chose St Leonard.
The original church bell mysteriously disappeared early in the church's history, (possibly quite legally acquired by another church between 1904 and 1909). It was imaginatively replaced by a railway wheel rim, probably left over from Millars rolling stock. This bell, hung from a railway sleeper frame, remains in use to this day.
St Leonard's in about 1914.
About this time the porch, which had been located at the eastern, (Strickland Street), end of the building was re-located to the western end, as access up the front stairs for coffins and processions had proven difficult. At this time the arch, sanctuary and ancillary rooms were re-located to the eastern end.
The early 1920s saw a large influx of new people who took up land holdings under the Group Settlement Scheme, which opened up large areas west of Denmark. The Rector was expected to serve all of these new centres. Horse transport gave way to the first parish car, which was needed to visit 18 centres, extending as far west as North Walpole.
During the ministry of Rev George Kingston, (1954 to 1956), St Leonard's Church Hall in Denmark and St George's Hall in Walpole were built.
The Church Hall at Kentdale was purchased while the Rev FJ Kell was Rector, (1962 to 1963).
Cyclone Alby
On the evening of 4th April 1978 Cyclone Alby struck Denmark with great force, removing roofs, uprooting trees and bringing down powerlines.
St Leonard's Church and Hall were both severely damaged. The hall lost most of its roof and the church was blown partly off its stumps, developing a dangerous lean. Timber struts were placed on the Mitchell Street side of the building to keep it upright, and these have been retained to preserve that part of the church's history.
Memorial Garden
In 1990 a Memorial Garden was constructed adjacent to the church porch, between the church and the hall. This contains the ashes of past parishioners. A Memorial Book at the rear of the church records the names of those whose ashes have been placed in the garden.
Restoration
In 1991St Leonard's Church building was entered in the Register of the National Estate as a building to be preserved for its historical and architectural significance.
With financial assistance from the Australian and West Australian Heritage Commissions and support from parishioners and the Shire of Denmark, St Leonard's has now been fully restored . Many coats of paint were scraped and burnt from the exterior, which now features Federation-style purple/brown, with trimmings in stone and deep green. All rotted timber has been replaced and unsightly water stains on the interior pine paneling has been removed. Voluntary labour and the skills of local tradesmen have been responsible for ensuring that the church is ready to serve as a house of worship for many years to come.
Wall Hanging
As a part of the church's Centenary Celebrations in 1999 a large wall hanging was crafted by parishioners. This was unveiled by Bishop Hamish Jamieson on Sunday 31st October 1999, and now hangs as a permanent reminder of the church's first 100 years. A framed record of those parishioners who participated in this work is displayed beside the wall hanging. The Centenary Celebrations also included the burying of a time capsule, to be recovered upon the church's 200th anniversary in 2099.
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