Glass lampshades
Identifer
ASJ2026.03Physical Description
Three frosted glass lampshades of different size and shape which were part of the church fittings, It was thought they were in place for the opening of the enlarged nave - 20th November 1938, but lampshades visible in a photograph of the congregation for that occasion show lampshades of a similar size, but different shape. They may have been replaced at a later date. Powells Electrical invoiced for “lighting changes - church building” in December 1940, and again in 1964 we have an invoice from Powells for “re-wiring and re-lighting of St. John's Church”.
These lampshades would have been “off the shelf” items, and similar ones can be found in images of other buildings of the 1940s to 1970s.
The very largest would be from the main nave. The small one was likely from the north or south ambulatory, but the third is a very interesting and unusual shape, in the shape of a circular disc with the mounting hole on its side. There is no record of its location, but it was acquired in the museum collection in the 1980s, and would have been somewhere in the building - perhaps in the disused north entrance.
Historical Details
In the earliest colonial days, St. John's would likely have been lit by oil lamps and candles. By the latter part of the 19th century, gas lighting was installed, and this was extended into the new crossing, transepts and chancel in the early 20th century. Electricity was already available before the turn of the 20th century, but St. John''s resisted electrification, perhaps because of the influence of Arthur Green, who managed the Launceston Gas Company, and donated much of the gas lighting equipment. It was not until 1917 that the first electricity bill was received for the church!Materials
moulded glass with white frosted interiorDating of Item
1938-1982Database Date: Faculty Date:
26 April 2026;Disposal Date: