Christ Church in the Forest from a painting in the National Gallery.

Christ Church c 1885 with the first rector the Rev J Francis

Christ Church 1950 before the addition of the hall.

The Story of Drouin Anglicans
Text Box: The Gippsland Forest Mission The Gippsland Forest Mission was opened up on the initiative of the Bishop of Melbourne, Bishop Moorhouse and the Revd S. Sandiford was appointed Superintendent. Mr Sandiford wrote: “It was in March 1877, that Bishop Moorehouse [sic] first visited Gippsland, and he told me that he was determined to bring the means of grace to the selectors in the forest. On his return to Melbourne, he asked the Rev. P.J. Smith to do what he could for the people. He [Mr Smith] held services at the mission Church at Brandy Creek, helped by Captain Lintott and Mr J Rogers. But as Mr Smith’s time was so much taken up with his selection [he had retired to a farm], he could not push the church out into the outlying districts. So the Bishop gave me the commission to do the work.” So, Anglican influence came to the Western part of Gippsland. Original church in the district Land donated in Brandy Creek by Mr James Hann. New timber church, a timber framed building, clad with split palings and shingles on roof. Cost: 84 pounds. Later moved to Buln Buln [still in use, 2002] Dedicated by the Revd G.W.Watson from Sale, in June 1875. Used by Anglicans, Presbyterian & Methodists Original Christ Church Built 1880 on land donated on cnr Grant St and Albert Road by Mrs Richard Higgs. Dedicated Sunday January 18 1880 by Dean McCartney of Melbourne. January 1880, says “1st Divine Service” held in Drouin. [Previous services held at portable school, Murphy’s Grain Store and Mechanics Hall]. 1888, land purchased in Main St Drouin The original [small] church was rebuilt in the new site in 1891, and re-opened in September 1891 by the Bishop of Melbourne It had an enlarged sanctuary and chancel. 1906 Proposal to build a new church, the old one suffering from bowed walls March 1911, the existing church was renovated. 1914, a new parsonage was build on the present church site, for 477 pounds; [the former clergy house in Grant Street, was sold for 85/10/-] Present Christ Church November 1935, the first sod turned by the Revd Claude Woodhouse February 1936, foundation stone laid by Bishop Cranswick September 1936, the new church was built, valued at 1850 pounds [or 1200???], including voluntary labour, plus 829 pounds in actual money [or maybe less, according to Church of Our Fathers] Consecrated 21st September 1945