On low lying areas of the road north, a corduroy road had been made by
laying logs across the track to form a firm foundation for vehicles which
otherwise would have become bogged during the wet seasons. This made
travelling rough for the coach passengers as the driver had to maintain a good
speed to arrive at the destination on time.

Along the road north and throughout the settlement there was general
lawlessness. Many convicts absconded and became bushrangers. There was
also hostility amongst the aboriginal tribes who saw their hunting grounds
taken and their most sacred places desicrated. Amongst the settlers there
was much law breaking, drinking and general unlawfullness. On the out·
stations, shepherds were beaten and on the roads people were molested.

Residents of the Hunter Valley and other districts petitioned the Government
to discontinue transportation of convicts to the colony and to encourage free
immigration, also, to even the distribution of female to male population, as at
that period the male convict population was five times the female number.

It had become evident that a church was needed to serve the growing. Population
and to promote the observance of religion and good order amongst the people.

THE DONATION OF LAND FOR

ST. CLEMENT'S CHURCH OF ENGLAND

In September, 1841, Dr. James Bowman and his wife Marv, made a grant of
2 acres of land to Bishop Brouqhton for the purpose of building a church near
the highway crossing of Falbrook .. The church was to be used for divine
worship, according to the United Church of England and Ireland and land
made available for a burial ground.

Bishop Broughton laid the foundation stone in 1842. In 1843 during a visit to
the northern districts he called at Camberwell; his diary states, "Crossing
Falbrook on the left saw the unfinished walls of St. Clement Church the
foundation stone of which I had laid on my last visit. The edifice-of stone is
of good design, the walls raised to three parts of their full height, but there
they have stopped for want of power to raise additional funds. Much of the
stone is prepared and lying on the spot, also are the iron framed windows.
The walls must be sustaining injury from .he weather without the protection
of a roof. The spectacle is a melancholy one. I preached the evening service at
Ravensworth and baptised children".

In October 1845 the Bishop again visited Ravensworth and recorded "In
company with the trustees I went to inspect the erecting of the church, one
of the buildings suspended in 1843-45 for want of funds. At that time I
had expressed my apprehension that the work would never in my time be
resumed, but it is now proceeding steadily and we may calculate it being
fit for consecration within twelve months".

"It is of solid handsome structure, built of very fine freestone which is found
close at hand. The tower will be a striking object; the whole appearance of
the building owes much to the beauty of the situation".

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