John Bristow HughesPrint Page

The stained glass window commemorates John Bristow Hughes (1817 - 1881) who built St Margaret`s Church in 1855 at his own expense.

John and his brother Herbert Bristow Hughes came to South Australia in 1840 by way of Tasmania. By August 1841 he was running a sheep-station on the River Gilbert with between 3,000 and 5,000 sheep. He expanded northwards, then sold his run at a substantial profit. His next venture was into real estate, with housing in Woodville; successful enough to donate land for the Anglican Church. 

He was heavily involved around 1849 in the foundation of St.Peter`s College, a cause that was close to his heart the rest of his life - the "Letters" page of the South Australian Register frequently bore his missives complaining of mis-management or lack of vision.

He stood successfully in 1855 for the seat of East Torrens in the original Legislative Council (when one-third of members was nominated by the South Australian Company) and he took part in the framing the Constitution, then in 1857 South Australiancolonial election stood successfully for the House of Assembley seat of Port Adelaide. He supported Torrens Title and served as Treasurer of South Australia from 1 September to 30 September 1857, and was complimented for his Budget speech. On 24 September 1858 he resigned his seat to visit England, in the hope of a recovery from his chronic health complaints but he did later stand (unsuccessfully) for a seat in the House of Assembly. He supported independence of Church and State, opposed State aid to non-government schools, and was described as "anti-Ritualist". In 1881 he visited the Western District of Victoria. At Point Lonsdale on 26 March he was drowned.

In an old English style of architecture, with battlernent tower, St. Margaret's Church of England is a Woodville landmark. The church was built at the expense of John Bristow Hughes. and was presented by him to the Diocese of Adelaide in 1855. Mr Hughes named St. Margaret's after his wife. He also chose the preacher and text for the opening ceremony.  Because of a dlspute with Bishop Short on the naming of St Margaret's, Mr Hughes permitted the Congregationalists to hold first services there. When the bishop new of this he capitulated, and the name St Margaret's was allowed to stand. The bishop wanted the church named St. Jude's.
Excerpt from News (Adelaide), 6 April 1954.

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