ARCH2002 Australian Historical Archaeology Major Assignment by Marica Beric 2030824 Due

ARCH2002 Australian Historical Archaeology Major Assignment by Marica Beric 2030824 Due Date: October 31 2005.

Aim

To interpret the life history of the Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in its historical and

social context, using primary documentary evidence from the first land title until present.

Changes in interpretations of the site and the cultural significance of the church will be

addressed.

Method

The artefact, the Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church (SSSOC), was chosen for its

aesthetic and social value. The SSSOC is located at 675 Port Road, Woodville Park,

South Australia. Before commencing with the research, permission from the SSSOC was

obtained. Permission was granted by the resident priest Father Milorad, the President of

the SSSOC Malutin Dinic and the Financial Administrator Dusan Zubic. An appointment

was scheduled with Dushan Zubic to meet on Friday 20 August 2005 at the SSSOC at

approximately 8pm. After explaining to Dusan Zubic that this project was intended to be

used as part of a Flinders University assignment, he assisted in locating and sorting the

required primary documents. A condition was placed on my research: the administration

was to proof read this assignment before submission. Being a community member myself,

a high level of trust, confidentiality and respect was expected throughout this assignment.

The primary documents are stored at the office of the St. Sava Hall. The St. Sava Hall is

located directly adjacent to the SSSOC. Documents were collated in their corresponding

years, and stored in a locked file. Documents included marriage certificates, birth and

death registers, baptisms, immigration requests, war letters, accounts, constitutions,

memberships, patriarchal speeches, general and church correspondence. Dushan Zubic

expressed concerns over the condition of the storage facility. A significant amount of

correspondence has been destroyed over the years. The general tax practice for many

small organizations is to clear old correspondence and financial details after seven years

of storage. This practice is not favorable in an historic or archaeological preservation

context.

Figure 1 Front page is a SSSOC icon of St. Sava painted by Dragan Marunic

1 ARCH2002 Australian Historical Archaeology Major Assignment by Marica Beric 2030824 Due Date: October 31 2005.

Many of the existing documents were over 50 years old and had faded significantly. Dusan

Zubic suggested that scanning the documents would enhance the quality of the copies. An

invitation to scan the documents at Dusan’s house was offered and accepted. The

selected documents were scanned on Tuesday 24 August 2005. Documents from the

church were chosen for their contribution in a social and historical context. Unfortunately,

not all the documents could be scanned or be interpreted. Many documents were dated

and addressed to the diocese before the church was established, and finding a place in a

social context would be difficult. Many of the priests that served at the church are now

deceased.

A search for publications, newspaper advertisements and web sites was conducted.

Minimal information was available on the Church itself except for two publications. In 1989

a publication called the St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church was published with the support

of the South Australian Government Department for the Arts. The publication, in the form

of a booklet was written in English and Serbian. This booklet was intended to promote the

church, the Byzantine art, and the religious context as a celebratory and historical

document. This publication was edited and complied by Father Radan, who was the

resident priest that commissioned the Byzantine art in the church. This publication is

referred to in the course of this paper. The other publication was a book called Australian

Serbs Living in Australia. Unfortunately, I was unable to determine the name of the author.

This book was deleted from publication several years ago, and was not available for the

purpose of this research. A few community members own this book, but I was unable to

locate one who did so. Other references were sourced from the Flinders University Library

and the web.

Land titles were sourced from the Lands Title Office, 101 Grenfell Street, Adelaide, South

Australia. Information of trusts, owners, dates, loans, transfers and allotments are shown

on the titles. The early titles are difficult to read due to the transfer from book to

computerized copies. Not all titles were purchased as they were expensive at $6.70 each.

The first title could only be obtained at the Old Systems Titles Section under the

2 ARCH2002 Australian Historical Archaeology Major Assignment by Marica Beric 2030824 Due Date: October 31 2005.

Department of Administrative and Information Services located at 39 Carrington Street,

Adelaide. The first title was created under an old system, which still maintains legislation

that does not permit public access to the documents. Access is obtained through written

permission from the owners of the related title. Due to this paper being historical research,

Wayne Slape, Examiner of Titles, was able to permit access to the title for a limited period.

Problems associated with this part of the assignment were minimal. The SSSOC were

helpful with any requests in obtaining information or the scanning of primary documents.

However, many documents have been destroyed. Most of the missing documents consist

of personal communications, receipts and official bills. Expenditure and income are

detailed in ledgers and were kept for every year. Unfortunately, the ledgers are the only

form of fiscal data that remain in the early years of the church. Access to current account

and membership books were denied.

There is an absence of documented evidence of the role that the church has played in its

community’s over the last six decades. Events such as government or visiting dignitaries

were not recorded, except for some financial details. Most of the administration is currently

run by people who have immigrated to Australia in the last fifteen to twenty years. The new

administration is keen to acquire and document historical details. The absence of

documentation about events such as fairs, community projects and celebrations organized

by the SSSOC over the past six decades, has undermined an otherwise accurate account

of the social context of the church. There is a visitor’s book for people to sign as you enter

the church. Once completed the visitor books are stored away without any evaluation.

Results

Land Titles

Colonel William Light surveyed and divided Adelaide land under an alphabetized grid

system in the mid 1830s. The SSSOC was in the B allotment. Crown land was then

transferred to the South Australian Company. Land was then subdivided in to a system

called hundreds. The SSSOC came under the jurisdiction of the Hundred of Yatala. The

3 ARCH2002 Australian Historical Archaeology Major Assignment by Marica Beric 2030824 Due Date: October 31 2005.

alphabet was then replaced with province numbers. Province numbers were

commissioned by the Colonization Commissioner of Public Lands, George Galwer

Esquire. The land portion known as B became the province number ‘343’. The trustees of

the South Australian Company were George Fife Angus of Jettery, St. May; Henry

Kingscote of Bank Buildings, London and Thomas Smith of Ramsbury in the county of

Wilts. On the 7 March 1839, one hundred and thirty four acres of land was sold. The land

was sold under a land grant drawn up from England. In 1886 the land was again

subdivided, and sold under the Real Property Act 1886; vol. 542. fol. 9. The province was

then allocated a new number of ‘397’ (refer to titles in appendix 1).

The first allotment under province 343 was surrounded by Port Road, Government Road

and the Port Railway. The titles do not show evidence of a fourth road on the North West

side. This would be due to a continuation of vacant or agricultural land. On September 17

1908, Irena Florence Taylor of Prospect purchased one acre of allotment 397 (refer to

appendix 1). Irene was a spinster when she acquired allotment 397. By the 4 May 1928,

Irene married Frederick William Plate of Woodville Estate. The title vol. 1154 fol. 161.

shows a newly created road running adjacent on the eastern side of the allotment (refer to

appendix 1). Irene sold a portion of the land to Alwine Hulda Hese on the 1 April 1927.

Irene then proceeded to sell more land as show on title vol. 1473. fol. 51. (refer to

appendix 1). For the first time the newly created Balmoral Street is displayed on a tile.

Land was sold to the Elders Trustee and Executors Company Limited on the 27 November

1946. Irene died 3 August 1962. Land continued to be subdivided and was sold to the

Central Mission Old Folks Homes Incorporated on the 26 March 1962. The SSSOC

bought land on the 22 May 1962, which was mortgaged to the South Australian Bank of

South Australia No. 2354783. The SSSOC demolished a run down house, which possibly

belonged to Irene Florence and her husband. To find out who owned the house would

require more title searches. Unfortunately, titles are expensive and limited the scope of

this assignment. The Corporation of the City of Woodville also purchased land on this title

on the 12 October 1966. In 1995 the SSSOC purchased a neighbouring allotment, which

belonged to Anne Carmel Hunt, until the time of her death. By the 23 August 2000, the

4 ARCH2002 Australian Historical Archaeology Major Assignment by Marica Beric 2030824 Due Date: October 31 2005.

SSSOC was granted an application to amalgamate four separate allotments into what is

now its current title today vol. 5801 fol. 59. (refer to appendix 1). The SSSOC is currently

registered on the title as the Serbian Orthodox Church and School Community St. Sava.

Figure 2 A picture of the SSSOC as it stands today.

Community Documents

Document one is the original constitution dated 11 September 1951, and was written in

Serbian (refer to appendix 2). Document two is an updated version of the old constitution

dated 23 February 2005. The SSSOC is a registered business under the South Australian

Associations Incorporations Act 1985, Section 24(5)(b) (refer to appendix 2). The Church

administers several community functions. This certificated is a primary document providing

detailed administrative information regarding general regulations, composition of

governing bodies and their roles, management of the church, register of parish duties,

community members responsibilities and a clause for rule alternations. The foremost

5 ARCH2002 Australian Historical Archaeology Major Assignment by Marica Beric 2030824 Due Date: October 31 2005.

function of the corporation is to provide a community church with a fully ordained priest.

The church also provides a Serbian school teaching the Serb language and history for

children from six years old upwards. Adjacent to the church is the community hall, which is

used for community and public functions. The school is recognized and partially funded by

the government. The school also provides a dancing school dedicated in teaching the

traditional dance called the kolo to the community’s children. Recitals and open days are

regularly run by the teaching administration.

Document three is a membership book, which provides details of the year, date of first

membership and contribution amount (refer to appendix 2). This document displays that

the SSSOC organization commenced in 1951. The original membership book could not be

located. Many of the members were ex-war servicemen form the Second World War. Most

of the initial members have since passed away. Document four is a wedding register that

commenced before the construction of the church in the early 1960s. This wedding

Serbian army soldiers were stationed in Germany after the war, after which they

immigrated to Australia. The document details name, place of birth, occupation, parent

names, current residing address and religion. Early documents were typically written in

Serbian and require interpretation.

Document five is an account of contributions given by its community members for the

church (refer to appendix 2). The top of the page states in red that all monies obtained will

be kept on the premises in a safe. The bottom right hand side of the letter displays three

signatures from committee members who have counted and balanced the money. This

document provides a social and economic insight into the community. The majority of

community members were from a low socio-economic group. Member’s contributions

reflected what they could afford by donations or labour to the church. Document six is

similar to document five, expect it displays contributions collected to purchase land (refer

to appendix 1 & 2). Document seven provides details of monetary contributions and the

6 ARCH2002 Australian Historical Archaeology Major Assignment by Marica Beric 2030824 Due Date: October 31 2005.

number days of unpaid worked by community members. Members would give up their free

time and help construct the church.

Document eight is an account of a remembrance day held in the honor of a Serbian war

commander Draza Mihailovic (refer to appendix 2). This day was attended by ex-war

prisoners, Chetnicks (Serbian veterans) and a few new immigrants. Document eight

provides the date of the event, 20 April 1951, and the intended purpose of the

commemorations and the administrations duties. Document nine also refers to this event

and is approved by the active president and secretary at that time (refer to appendix 2).

Document ten displays the account for a royal visit. King Peter II of Serbia attended a

celebration held in his honor on the 15 September 1951. Document ten discloses the

amount spent in preparations for this event and included invitations, transport and

entertainment costs (refer to appendix 2). All of the old accounts display pounds as the

currency.

Byzantine Art

The cultural significance of the SSSOC should first be examined in a historical

perspective, in order to interpret a social context. Byzantine art (also known as sepulchral

art), is a collaboration of ‘Roman statecraft, Greek culture and Christian beliefs’ (Schug-

Wille, 1969:6). The sepulchral art style was initially used in decorating Early Christina

cemeteries. These cemeteries were called catacombs; surviving evidence has been dated

to the early second century (Schug-Wille, 1969:13). The SSSOC was named after the first

Archbishop of the Serbian Church St. Sava (Radan, 1989:4). After the fall of

Constantinople, St. Sava was encouraged by his brother Stephan II to develop an art style

that glorified God but illustrated the state in its interpretation. Stephan II was crowned king

of Serbia for the first time in 1217 by the papal emissary (Schug-Wille, 1969:13). Stephen

II was devoted to the arts and an advocate for secular education. Stifled by the Roman

Church, Stephan II denounced the church and crowned himself king once again. This time

he ordained himself in the Orthodox tradition. His coronation was administered by his

7 ARCH2002 Australian Historical Archaeology Major Assignment by Marica Beric 2030824 Due Date: October 31 2005.

brother St. Sava. The SSSOC is named after St. Sava for his contribution to the Serbian

Byzantine movement and his religious service, which ordained him a saint.

The St. Sava Church on Port Road displays architectural characteristics of the church of

the Mother of God at Studencia (Schug-Wille, 1969:212). This church is reminiscent of

Roman architecture with ‘single-aisled, vaulted church with three apses culminates in a

square section topped by a lofty dome’ (Schug-Wille, 1969:13). Stephen Nemanja was the

architect who designed and built the church of the Mother of God at Studencia, and is the

model used for many subsequence Orthodox churches. The church is one of many

Orthodox churches in Adelaide. The distinguishing feature that makes this church a

historic landmark is that this church is the first Orthodox Church in Australia to continue a

tradition that evolved approximately two millennia ago in Europe. Since this church was

commissioned, only one other Serbian church in Australia. The Church of Alexandria in

Sydney is decorated in authentic Serbian Orthodox tradition. Again, the Church of

Alexandria was commissioned by Father Radan.

The SSSOC was the first church in the southern hemisphere to be completely decorated

with wall paintings of icons. Icons are an important part of prayer for the Orthodox faith, as

they embody the spiritual presence of the saint. The St. Sava icons are renowned for their

artistic value, and summon inspirational imagery during the liturgies for the community.

Each iconographer reflects their individuality through their paintings. Dragan Marunic was

commissioned as the iconographer for the SSSOC. Dragan Marunic commenced painting

in November 1988 and completed the entire internal church walls by May 1989. The

painting process begins with an application of dry lime plaster, which is rendered to the

walls. Dragan then sketched each icon before painting. Pigment is diluted to a watery

solution, and then applied to the walls (Radan, 1989:5). The deep blues, vivid reds and

gold are striking (refer to appendix). The purpose of iconography is to evoke spiritual

inspiration and metaphysical connections with each icon during prayer.

8 ARCH2002 Australian Historical Archaeology Major Assignment by Marica Beric 2030824 Due Date: October 31 2005.

Figure 3 Dragan Marunic painting icons in the St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church.

Discussion

The SSSOC provides tangible and intangible evidence for the interpretation of a social and

economic context. The research in the life history of the church was permitted by the

administration, in the pursuit for a historical account. The first church was built in the early

1960s, and was constructed of wood. This small wooden church was subsequently

replaced in the late 1970s with the current building. The growth and grandeur of the

9 ARCH2002 Australian Historical Archaeology Major Assignment by Marica Beric 2030824 Due Date: October 31 2005.

church represented the community’s economic development and population growth. The

majority of people who attended the old wooden church were ex-prisoners of war, war

veterans or Serbian migrants. Members contributed what they could afford. The new

church prospered from an increase number of migrants, and the first generation of

Australian-born Serbs. Prosperity grew with employment and education, and so did the

contributions. Members of the community and trades people would volunteer their time

and help construct the church. Fairs would be organized to raise money, and this is

demonstrated in the accounts. During the early years, the Woodville Council was

attributed in helping the community prosper. Council rates, water and electricity bills were

reduced in order to help the community financially. This council information is absent from

the records, but is knowledge possessed by older community members such as my father.

Being one of the first Australian born Serbs, I am able to remember details in the

construction of the church, and the enormous effort of its community members.

The origins for the church are not adequately documented for the new generation of

Australian-born Serbs to study. Information concerning the history of the church is

predominately held by older community members. The new administration is slowly losing

their historical beginnings in Adelaide. This can be amended by documenting oral histories

from several of the remaining original members and by recording past events. The cultural

context of the church is an important indication of its identity for the people who have used

the church, or will use it in the future. The religious and social context of the church is vital

to this community. The Serbian language, food, custom, dance, school and prayer are

reflected in the church and its ability to administer to its community.

The condition of the church and its art is maintained by community members. A problem

did occur after a few years after the arts completion. The constant lighting of bee wax

candles began to discolour the artwork. A thin layer of dark candle emissions covered the

ceiling. The community took action by carefully cleaning the ceiling, and the position of the

candles was reassessed. The decision was to place the candles at the back of the church.

Commercial strength rangehoods were installed, drawing the excess candle emission out

10 ARCH2002 Australian Historical Archaeology Major Assignment by Marica Beric 2030824 Due Date: October 31 2005.

of the church. Volunteers from the community cleaned the walls, while the rangehoods

were bought from donations.

Figure 4 The St. Sava Serbian Church just prior to November 1989

Figure 5 The St. Sava Serbian Church after completion.

11 ARCH2002 Australian Historical Archaeology Major Assignment by Marica Beric 2030824 Due Date: October 31 2005.

The SSSOC cultural meaning represents a relationship with God, Serbian culture and its

people. The ability to create a community based on origins from overseas is a great

achievement. Many of the older members considered the construction of the church as a

new beginning in Australia but also a connection to their cultural past and identity. Today

aging and young members are united in their ongoing contribution to the church. However,

there is a power relationship with the church and its community members. This practice is

synonymous to all community run church organizations. This is the necessity for ongoing

attendance, donations and volunteers in order for its survival. People travel from other

interstate Serbian communities to see the church and appreciate its art. The ongoing

attendance of its community members is constant. The attendance represents the

communities need to contribute to the church, not just financially but spiritually. In

exchange the church is fulfilling its duty to the community and administering its religious

practice through its liturgies and walled imagery. The SSSOC is named after the patron

saint St. Sava, who is still a strong source of historical, cultural and social significance for

its community members.

References

Radan, R 1989, St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, ed. St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, Adelaide.

Schug-Wille, C 1969, Art of the Byzantine World, Harry N. Abrams, Inc. Publishers, New York.

12 ARCH2002 Australian Historical Archaeology Major Assignment by Marica Beric 2030824 Due Date: October 31 2005.

Appendix 1

Certificate of Title Vol. 5801 Fol. 58, obtained from the Lands Title Office 101 Grenfell Street, Adelaide.

Certificate of Title Vol. 542 Fol. 9, obtained from the Lands Title Office 101 Grenfell Street, Adelaide.

Certificate of Title Vol. 791 Fol. 70, obtained from the Lands Title Office 101 Grenfell Street, Adelaide.

Certificate of Title Vol. 1154 Fol. 161, obtained from the Lands Title Office 101 Grenfell Street, Adelaide.

Certificate of Title Vol. 1473 Fol. 51, obtained from the Lands Title Office 101 Grenfell Street, Adelaide.

Certificate of Title Vol. 3450 Fol. 124, obtained from the Lands Title Office 101 Grenfell Street, Adelaide.

Historical Search – Registrar-Generals Automated Title System – Current, obtained from the Lands Title Office 101 Grenfell Street, Adelaide.

Map of Allotment, obtained from the Lands Title Office 101 Grenfell Street, Adelaide.

Registrar-Generals Automated Title System – Parent Title Search, obtained from the Lands Title Office 101 Grenfell Street, Adelaide.

Registrar-Generals Automated Title System – Amalgamation Application, obtained from the Lands Title Office 101 Grenfell Street, Adelaide.

Registrar-Generals Automated Title System – Historical Search of Certificate of Titles 1, obtained from the Lands Title Office 101 Grenfell Street, Adelaide.

Registrar-Generals Automated Title System – Historical Search of Certificate of Titles 2, obtained from the Lands Title Office 101 Grenfell Street, Adelaide.

13 ARCH2002 Australian Historical Archaeology Major Assignment by Marica Beric 2030824 Due Date: October 31 2005.

Appendix 2

Document One – Original Constitution, obtained from the administration office at St. Sava Hall 675 Port Road, Woodville Park, Adelaide.

Document Two – Updated Constitution, obtained from the administration office at St. Sava Hall 675 Port Road, Woodville Park, Adelaide.

Document Three – Membership Log, obtained from the administration office at St. Sava Hall 675 Port Road, Woodville Park, Adelaide.

Document Four - Wedding Nuptials Record Book, obtained from the administration office at St. Sava Hall 675 Port Road, Woodville Park, Adelaide.

Document Five – Church Contributions, obtained from the administration office at St. Sava Hall 675 Port Road, Woodville Park, Adelaide.

Document Six – Contribution of Land, obtained from the administration office at St. Sava Hall 675 Port Road, Woodville Park, Adelaide.

Document Seven – Financial and Labour Contribution List, obtained from the administration office at St. Sava Hall 675 Port Road, Woodville Park, Adelaide.

Document Eight – Draza Mihailovic Administrative Protocol, obtained from the administration office at St. Sava Hall 675 Port Road, Woodville Park, Adelaide.

Document Nine – Event Approval, obtained from the administration office at St. Sava Hall 675 Port Road, Woodville Park, Adelaide.

Document Ten – Account - King Peter II Visit, obtained from the administration office at St. Sava Hall 675 Port Road, Woodville Park, Adelaide.