St Peter's Church, Darlinghurst facts for kids

{{Infobox church | icon = | icon_width = | icon_alt = | name = St Peter's Church | fullname = | other name = | native_name = | native_name_lang = | image = St Peter's Church, Darlinghurst 04.jpg | image_size = 270 | alt = | caption = St Peter's Church, Bourke Street and St Peters Street, Darlinghurst, NSW

| pushpin map = Australia Sydney | pushpin label position = | pushpin map alt = | pushpin mapsize = 270 | relief = 1 | map caption = Location in greater metropolitan Sydney | coordinates = 33°52′30″S 151°13′07″E / 33.8751°S 151.2185°E / -33.8751; 151.2185 | osgraw = | osgridref = | location = Corner of Bourke Street and St Peters Street, Darlinghurst, City of Sydney, New South Wales | country = Australia

| denomination = Anglican | previous denomination = | tradition = | religious institute = | churchmanship = | membership = | attendance = | website =

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| status = Former church | functional status = Inactive; now a hall for use by SCEGGS Darlinghurst | heritage designation = | designated date =

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| architectural type = Victorian Gothic Revival | style = | years built = 1866–67 | groundbreaking = | completed date = | construction cost = | closed date = March 1993 | demolished date =

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St Peter's Churchis a very old building in Darlinghurst, a suburb of Sydney, Australia. It used to be an Anglicanchurch, but now it's a special hall for a school called SCEGGS Darlinghurst. This building is important because of its history and beautiful design. It's listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register, which means it's protected for future generations.

Contents

• A Look Back in Time

• The Church Hall
• Important People
• Changes Over the Years
• Why the Church Closed
• A New Purpose

• What the Buildings Look Like

• The Church Building
• The Hall Building

• Protecting Our Heritage

A Look Back in Time

The main church building was constructed between 1866 and 1867. It was designed by O. H. Lewis, whose father was a well-known architect. A small room called a vestry was added later, between 1871 and 1883.

The Church Hall

The church also has a separate hall. This hall was built in 1873. It was designed by another architect named Benjamin Backhouse.

Important People

Many important people in Sydney were connected to St Peter's Church. These included Charles Kemp, who owned The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper. Henry Connell, a government official, was also involved. Businessman Lebbeus Hordern and famous author Patrick White were also part of the church community. Stained glass windows inside the church honored Hordern and Kemp.

Changes Over the Years

In 1924, the church bought five old houses nearby. They knocked these houses down to create an open area and an entrance for the church.

Why the Church Closed

Over time, fewer people attended the church. Because of this, and financial reasons, St Peter's Church became a branch of St John's Anglican Church, Darlinghurst in 1986. It officially closed its doors in March 1993.

A New Purpose

In September 1993, the building was sold to SCEGGS Darlinghurst, a school. The old church building is now the school's Great Hall. The former church hall was updated in 1998 and is now used as the school's Playhouse. The school still uses the Great Hall for special events like Easter and Christmas services.

What the Buildings Look Like

The Church Building

The former church is a two-story building made of sandstone. It has a pointed roof covered with slate tiles. Its design follows the English Gothic Revival style, which means it looks like old churches from England. Inside, it has a main area called a nave and two side sections called aisles. There's also a vestry and a chancel, which is the area near the altar.

The Hall Building

The former hall is a single-story building. It's made of brick with a sandstone base. When it was updated in 1998, the upper part of the hall was divided into three smaller spaces. The lower part of the hall still has its two original main rooms.

Protecting Our Heritage

St Peter's Church and its surrounding area are very important. They were officially listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999. This listing helps make sure these historic buildings are preserved for everyone to enjoy in the future.