Page 14 - CinemaRecord #86

Morpeth NSW

By Les Tod

he town of Morpeth is located 26 km
Tnorth-west of Newcastle in NSW. The
historic building at 85 High Street is rarely seen
by the many tourists who visit Morpeth to stroll
its many craft shops and restaurants, because it
is located in a residential street away from the
business district. Fewer still would realise that
its story as a cinema goes all the way back to
1856. The Morpeth Primitive Methodists had
obtained land in 1853 and following a Sunday
meeting, the foundation stone of their new
church was laid on Monday, 12 March 1855.

In 1856, the Maitland Mercury reported
improvements that had taken place in Morpeth
generally, and stated that High Street, not long
ago scarcely a street at all, now shows a fair
display of cottages - slab, weatherboard and
brick, with buildings of a public character also.
Of these, the Primitive Methodist Chapel may Methodists throughout Australia were united in platform. Three openings had been cut in
be mentioned, erected within eighteen months, one body, combining Primitive Methodists and the main wall of the building for "rays" to
and recently opened. It is a plain structure of Wesleyan Methodists to form a strong church. pass through; the openings had no proper
brick, its dimensions 30 feet in width by 40 feet The Rev. T. Rudd was the last Primitive shutters. The owner was given as R.
in length, more or less, judging from eye Methodist minister in Morpeth. After this Stephens, of Francis Street, Wallsend.
measurement. unification, the use of the Primitive Methodist
Church building becomes unclear. A few weeks after this report, a letter was
In 1862, the first Government school in sent to Mr. Stephens informing him that the
Morpeth was opened on 3 November. Called Film screenings had been held regularly at the use of the operating box as a ticket box had
the National School, it was a non-vested school, School of Arts building and also in an open air to be discontinued.
meaning that the buildings were not owned by cinema, and it was in 1921 that the old church
the Government. The school was actually held was converted into the Aster [correct spelling The theatre was also used for many other
in the Primitive Methodist Church. The church at that time] Theatre. It opened on Saturday, purposes apart from the screening of films.
was rented at a cost of £26 per year. A 11 June 1921, with Mr. R. Stephens as The Methodist Rainbow Fair was held there
committee of seven leading citizens, consisting proprietor. The Aster was formally licensed as on 12 and 13 October, 1927. On 12 May
of the Reverend George James of the Primitive a theatre from 20 May 1921. 1928, the Methodist Spring Fair was
Methodist Church; William Chamber, butcher; advertised for the coming October, and the
Andrew Tulip, coal miner; John Wisdom, Its dimensions were 80 by 28 feet, with brick St. James Spring Fair was held on
telegraphist; Duncan Sim, millwright; and and iron walls, iron roof and a floor part timber, 19 September 1928.
J. Whytlaw of the Commercial Bank, undertook part earth. The stage measured 28 by 15 feet.
the opening of the school. The first teacher was The operating box dimensions were 10 x 10 In 1929 the theatre, now referred to as the
Mr. Ralph. feet, with iron walls and a timber floor. The Astor, suffered significant damage in a
box was also used for the sale of tickets. storm. The Chief Secretary's Department
At the end of 1866, a public school building was wrote to Mr. Stephens on 2 May 1929,
erected in High Street and its opening saw the In 1924, the operating box was still being used stating ...Regarding the proposal to
closure of church and private schools in the for the sale of tickets and was an addition to the construct a picture theatre at Morpeth, using
district, including that in the Primitive front of the building, on the ground floor, with in connection there with portion of the old
Methodist building. During early January 1902, the cinematograph on an elevated wooden premises, which was recently destroyed by
a storm. In June 1929 another report stated
Morpeth Astor interior that the ...Contractor has commenced the
erection of the building...

One month later, it was reported that the
Building is in the hands of the contractor -
140 by 45 feet, seating for 446. By the end
of August, it was stated that ...The work is
progressing satisfactorily … will be about
two months before the premises will be ready
for final inspection and test... From the
above measurements, it is obvious that the
building was enlarged and extended.

The official re-opening of the rebuilt and
enlarged Astor Picture Palace took place
on 19 October, 1929. The Mayor of
Morpeth, Alderman J.E. Connolly,
commenced proceedings with a short
address, and congratulated Mr. Stephens on

14 CINEMARECORD # 86