150TH ANNIVERSARY OF A ‘C
On 30 October 2016, I had the pleasure of returning to my home village, Rye Park
NSW, to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Wesleyan/Methodist/Uniting Church
with many of the descendant of the old families who established the village as well as
the church.
It was a great day with much reminiscing and catching-up with old friends, many of
which were relatives as well.
There were about 200 people and, as the church about holds 100 people, an area was
set up outside for the service to be relayed so as the overflow could also feel part of
the service. Many of us tried to sit in the pews that our parents (and grandparents)
always sat and so it felt like old times when we were ‘young’. ( I had hoped that I could
have sat in the pew on which my great grandfather’s brass plaque is fixed and also a
huge nail hammered underneath on which to hang his hat, but it was reserved for the
‘important people’)
The service was led by Rev. David Stewart of the Yass Parish of which Rye Park is a
member, and the message was given by The Moderator Rev. Myung Hwa Park.
However, before the commencement of the service, we had half an hour of great hymn
singing and, as Rye Park is known for its joyous uninhibited singing, the roof had
trouble staying in place!
After the service, and after a gathering together for a big group photo, we made our
way to the Memorial Hall, where all great feasts of the districts were/are held including
past and present wedding receptions, for a great finger food lunch. Time seemed all
too short to catch up with folk and to take in the memorabilia. My father was a great
photographer in the village and so many of his historical photos were treasured and
I found myself explaining to the younger generation their contents, as they were very
much a part of our family life.
Alfred Bembrick was the first selector in Rye Park in 1863 and he called his selection
RYE after the village of Rye in England from which he came, and PARK from Parkwood at Ginninderra. Alfred’s wife was a Southwell whose family settled the
Ginninderra district. He began services in his new home once he was established.
In 1865 John Cooke arrived at Rye Park. John had a connection to the Southwells
and also lived at Parkwood. The two families built a slab church on land donated by
Alfred Brembrick.
In 1867 William Southwell and Caroline (Brown) ventured out to take up a selection
which resembled the Parkwood site, with a pretty creek running through it. They
arrived with two children and went on to six more. Unfortunately William died in 1877
at the age of thirty seven of Diphtheria but not before he donated a block of land for the
use of a school. (The school in which I was educated but another has been established
in the last thirty years)
Because Caroline was left with eight children and no one to work the farm - no penSt Margaret's News
2
November 2016