St Thomas' Church Heritage National Trust of Australia (NSW) St. Thomas' Restoration Appeal

RESTORATION PROJECT - THE ALTAR RAIL KNEELERS.

The altar rail kneelers used previously in St Thomas' Church were in poor condition and made from leatherette and vinyl. The project of replacing these kneelers was started in 1998 and finished by December 1999.

The style of the design and the materials used is in keeping with traditional use in the Anglican Church for a considerable number of years, and it is thought that a similar type of kneeler or hassock would have been used in the church during the mid to latter part of the 1800's.

The theme for the design is the Cross of Christ, the Symbol of our Faith. The cross is shown in different forms, representing the diversity of styles of worship, and worshippers, in the community of faith at Saint Thomas' Church.

The needlepoint design is sewn onto cotton canvas, 7 stitches per inch (2.5 cm). The yarn is pure Australian wool, from the Geelong plant of Brintons Carpets and is "carpet yarn". The colours were chosen to complement and tone with the existing furnishings.

Stitches used:

o Cross stitch, half cross trammed
o Rice stitch and long legged cross stitch.

This project won a design award in May 2000 as part of the Hastings Council's inaugural triennial Heritage and design Awards program which was conducted with the co-operation of the Hastings Council's Heritage Officer, the New South Wales Heritage Council and the NSW National Trust.

The members of the Friendly Threads of St Thomas' who worked together
to make the altar kneelers.

Back Row: Margaret Rogers, Dorothy Nebauer, Doris Pearson,
Tracey Walsh, Camellia Flanagan.

Front Row: Doreen Renke, Connee Thorpe, Alice Walker,
Marjorie Parke, Beryl Brasher, Rhonda Martin.

[ History | Restoration | Patrons | Donations | Heritage Home ]