Sunday School breathes new life
• The McCallum family with Murray Gofton, Jennifer Fenton and Julie Gofton inside the Sunday School at its new home.
• The St Paul’s Sunday School on the move to its new location. Drone shot by Jeff Jennings.
By Taylor Clyne
March 04, 2020
The next chapter has begun for St Paul's 126-year-old Sunday School after a mammoth community effort to relocate the historic building to its new home with the McCallum Amish family.
Now residing next to the Springfield Hall with new all-day sun shining over its dilapidated exterior, the road to restoration and a reflection on its life makes quite the story.
The Church of England Sunday School was built in 1894 on a quarter acre block donated by Mrs Cherry near the intersection of the current Tasman Highway and South Springfield Road.
In 1923 it was moved by George Gofton driving his bullock team just down the road to its site on his land, in memory of his father James William Gofton who died in 1923 aged 73.
Here it was the base for the St Paul’s Mothers’ Union and was still operated by the Church until they sold it off in 1998.
In the same year the building was purchased by Una and Tom Gofton, both great supporters of St Paul’s, and until their recent passing had sat on Gofton land for 97 years.
Son Murray Gofton said the family’s decision to sell the special hall to the McCallum’s was an easy one.
“It was an easy decision given the recent history, mum very much wanted someone to take on the Sunday School and look after it,” he said.
“It was first offered to the Anglican Church and St Paul’s but after much discussion they decided that they wouldn’t take up the donation.
“Mum and Dad had a beautiful relationship with their neighbours the McCallums and when mum passed, she very much wanted them to buy the land.
“At the time they weren’t in the position to do so but instead the proposal of the church came about.
“I know they would be very happy about the outcome and the fact it’s going to get the love it deserves.”
Moving day took place on Friday afternoon thanks to the expertise of another neighbour John Lette and his sizable low loader alongside many other family and friend helpers.
“I was a bit surprised, she travelled down really well, it gave a bit of a lurch when we first left the site and I thought aww geez this isn’t going to be good but the top never moved at all and it arrived looking great,” Murray explained.
Bethany McCallum said the afternoon was quite emotional with many memories shared from attending community members.
“We wished Una was here to see it happen,” she said.
“This is going to be such a wonderful project for our family, we would like to hold church in it and have a place for the community to come and hear hymns.
“The acoustics are amazing, we couldn’t help ourselves and had a sing in it the first night it arrived,” Bethany said.
The interior still has the original blackwood timbers and dainty square timber windows that were used in its construction in 1894, both features the McCallums say they plan to refresh and rejuvenate.
“The roof is leaking quite badly so that will be our first item to fix, as well as the cladding and installation of front steps.”
The McCallums say once they have completed the project, they would love to hold monthly music nights and have opportunities for public viewing.
“We would also really like to put a special plaque on the front with the Gofton’s name on it to truly thank them for their kindness and generosity in making this happen,” Bethany said.
It is so pleasing to see the historic icon being preserved and used as a place of peace, harmony and family enjoyment.
Congratulations to all involved.