Pitt Street Uniting Church facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pitt Street Uniting Church
Pitt Street Uniting Church, pictured in 2012
Pitt Street Uniting Church Location in Sydney
33°52′25″S 151°12′30″E / 33.8735°S 151.2084°E / -33.8735; 151.2084
Location	264 Pitt Street, Sydney, City of Sydney, New South Wales
Country	Australia
Denomination	Uniting Church in Australia
Previous denomination	Congregationalism
History
Former name(s)	Pitt Street Congregational Church
Status	Church
Founded	1842 (1842)
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Architect(s)	John Bibb George Allen Mansfield
Architectural type	Church
Style	Old Colonial Georgian Classical
Years built	1841–1846
Specifications
Materials	Sydney sandstone Brick Cast iron railed stairs Cedar timber panelling
Administration
Synod	New South Wales and ACT

The Pitt Street Uniting Church is a special church building in Sydney, Australia. It is located at 264 Pitt Street in the city center. This church is important because it was the first Congregational church in New South Wales.

The building was designed by John Bibb. It was built between 1841 and 1846. Today, it is part of the Uniting Church in Australia. The church is also known as the Pitt Street Congregational Church. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999. This means it's a protected historical site.

History of the Church

The church community started in 1833. They first met in a building called the Independent Chapel. This chapel was on Pitt Street, but it soon became too small.

So, a new, bigger church was planned. The first stone for the current building was laid in 1841. However, there was an economic problem, so it took longer to build. The church was finally finished in 1846. That's when the congregation moved into their new home.

In 1867, the church building was made even bigger. Architect George Allen Mansfield led these changes. They added more to the outside and changed the inside.

The church was always involved in important social discussions. They cared about things like education. They also helped start groups like the Sussex Street Mission, the Boys' Brigade, and the YMCA.

In 1928, a building called Church House was built next door. It's now called Pilgrim House. This building was meant to help the church earn money. This money would support the church's activities.

In the 1960s, there was a plan to tear down the church. But people who loved the church asked for help. Jack Mundey and the Builders Labourers Federation stepped in. They put a "green ban" on the project. This meant workers refused to demolish the building. This action saved the church!

By the mid-1970s, the church community started to restore the building. In 1977, the church became part of the Uniting Church. Since then, more restoration work has been done. Grants from the Heritage Council of New South Wales helped with this work in the 1980s and 1990s.

About the Church Building

The outside of the church looks like an old style called Old Colonial Georgian Classical. The front of the church, facing Pitt Street, is made of Sydney sandstone. It has tall, grand columns that go up two floors.

You enter the church by walking up a few steps. The other walls of the church are made of brick. Inside, there are balconies called galleries. These are supported by strong cast iron columns. The main pulpit, where the minister speaks, is in the center. You reach it by climbing two stairs with iron railings. All the wooden parts inside are made from local cedar wood.

The original church was designed by John Bibb. He was a skilled architect who worked with John Verge. Later, between 1857 and 1867, architect GA Mansfield made the church larger. He added the inside galleries and a vestry at the back.

In the 1960s, the church started to look a bit run down. But thanks to the "green ban" in 1973, it was saved from being demolished. Some work was done on the church organ in 1974. A bigger restoration project started in 1982.

Changes Over Time

• 1867 – A new central pulpit and platform were added inside the church.

Important People Connected to the Church

Many important people from Sydney have been part of this church. You can see plaques on the walls remembering them. Some famous members include:

• David Jones, who started the famous department store.
• John Fairfax, a well-known newspaper owner.
• Rev. John West, a significant writer and minister.
• Rev. Joseph Coles Kirby, another important minister.
• Edith Bethel.

In 1951, Hilda May Abba made history here. She was the first woman in Australia to be ordained as a theological lecturer. From 1983 to 1993, Rev. Dr Dorothy McRae-McMahon was the minister. During her time, the church and its members strongly supported the anti-Apartheid movement in Sydney. This movement worked against unfair racial segregation in South Africa.

Why the Church is a Heritage Site

The Pitt Street Uniting Church is very important to Australia's history. It has always been a church that cared about social issues. It is also a great example of Neo Classic architecture. Many people think it's the best example of this style in Australia. It shows the amazing work of architect John Bibb.

It was the very first Independent Church in Australia. It also has ties to famous people like David Jones and James Fairfax.

The church was officially listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999. This means it meets certain important standards:

It shows the history of New South Wales.

• The church was designed by John Bibb. He also designed other famous buildings like Elizabeth Bay House and The Mariner's Church.
• The church has memorials for important people like David Jones and James Fairfax.
• It was the first Independent Church in Australia. It was also known as the "Mother Church" for Congregationalism in Australia.
• The church was very involved in local issues. It supported social and liberal ideas in the 1800s. It even started one of the first city missions.

It shows great design and creative skill in New South Wales.

• The church's grand Neo Classic design is considered the best of its kind in Australia.
• The organ inside the church is also very special. It's one of the most important organs from the early 1900s in New South Wales. It's one of only two organs by the company Hill and Son with a special "tubular-pneumatic action" system that still exists in Australia.
• Alexander Rea was an early organist at the church from 1864 to 1869.

See also

• Uniting Church in Australia
• Pitt Street
• Australian non-residential architectural styles

Images for kids

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  Church interior

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  Church interior