Loyal Pambula Lodge, MUOOF (former) | Encyclopedia Of South East History

Former Loyal Pambula Lodge, MUOOF:

The weatherboard building located at 32 Quondola Street was originally erected further up the street as the meeting hall of the local Oddfellows Lodge.

On August 4, 1893, the Pambula Voice stated that it was contemplated to start a branch of the Manchester Unity Order of Oddfellows Lodge in Pambula. The following week, the Voice announced a meeting of all those desirous of forming a branch of the Independent Order of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity. This was held at the Pambula School of Arts on Tuesday August 15, 1893, and on the motion of Messrs Francis and Fuller, the organisation was established. The same month, a further meeting was held, when a number of intending members paid their initiation fees and signed the requisition to the head lodge asking for a dispensation. This was received from the Sydney District Lodge in September and the same month the Loyal Pambula Lodge IOOFMU was duly opened, with about 12 members being initiated. Early the following year, it was reported that the organisation was continuing to make steady progress, with “…one or two members being enrolled at almost every meeting.”

After many years of meeting in the School of Arts and other local buildings, members decided in October 1913 to proceed with erection of their own lodge room on land they had previously purchased in Quondola Street. In November 1913, the Pambula Voice reported that Mr. James Dowling was making rapid headway with erection of the Oddfellows Lodge Hall building,

1947 wedding of Joyce & Joseph Lyons at the Manchester Unity Hall.

and in January 1914, it was officially opened, after which a banquet was held in the School of Arts to celebrate the event.

For many years, the Oddfellows organised a range of events locally, in particular sports days, cricket and football matches, as well as social functions.

By the late 1940’s, however, the lodge as an organisation was no longer using the building and it was from time to time used by travelling sales men in which to display their goods. Around this time, Mr. Eric Coorey, proprietor of the Rural Distributing Store, was also using the building as the drapery portion of his business.

Following damage to the Anglican Church at the bottom of Quondola Street and until their present structure was erected, it was also used for weddings and other services by local residents of that faith.

The little weatherboard building moved into the next phase of its life after it was purchased from Manchester Unity by the Presbyterian Church. Dedication of their new house of worship took place on Saturday March 13, 1965, after which an afternoon tea was held to mark the occasion. More recently, with the amalgamation and formation of the Uniting Church, the building was been used by that religious denomination, and was known as St Columba’s Uniting Church.

In about 2004 it was decided by the Uniting Church to sell the property, going under auction in January 2005 at which time it became privately owned. The building was afterwards transferred to the Anglican Parish and in about 2008 was relocated to their church property on the corner of Quondola and Bullara Streets, Pambula. It is now used as a hall by the local Anglican Christ Church.

The use of this small building has encompassed a number of community and religious organisations, as well as use by both local and travelling businessmen. This social significance is one that continued virtually uninterrupted from the time of its initial construction of 1913/14 right up until the present day. Further, its place in the development of the commercial community combined with its association with religious and community groups adds to its cultural significance. Visually speaking, it makes an important contribution to the local townscape and streetscape, being located as it is on a main road entering and exiting the town from the southern side. Manner of construction is historically in keeping with the tradition methods used over the years in the Pambula district. Retaining as it does its original weatherboard construction with traditional bargeboards and finials, the building is therefore significant from the point of view that it represents a very typical example of the traditional architectural style and building materials used within the Pambula township.

NOTE: This property is owned by the Anglican Church. Inclusion in this publication does not indicate or imply any general or specific permission for the general public to have access.

Left and above: The IOOFMU Hall in its original location. in Quondola Street, Pambula.

The former IOOFMU Hall in it's current location alongside Christ Church.

Approximate location of site.

References and bibliography:

Baddeley, Alma and Ben, pers. com.

Bennett, Vida, pers. com.

Eden Magnet

Eden Magnet and Pambula Voice

George, A. C. (“Bubby”) (comp.) “History of Pambula – Old Records Early Days”

Higgins, Jule, “Pambula’s Colonial Days”

Moore’s Almanac and NSW Country Directory

NSW Lands Title Office

Pambula Voice newspaper

Whelan, Betty, pers. com.