St Sophia Greek Orthodox Church, Surry Hills facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Sophia Greek Orthodox Church |
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| St Sophia and Her Three Daughters Greek Orthodox Church | |
| Bourke Street Congregational Church and School | |
St Sophia Greek Orthodox Church, pictured in 2018
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 St Sophia Greek Orthodox Church
Location in Sydney
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| 33°52′55″S 151°12′58″E / 33.8819°S 151.2162°E | |
| Location | 411a Bourke Street, Surry Hills, City of Sydney, New South Wales |
| Country | Australia |
| Denomination | Greek Orthodox |
| Previous denomination | Congregationalism |
| History | |
| Status | Church |
| Dedication | St Sophia of Rome |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Years built | 1880–1980s |
| Administration | |
| Parish | St Sophia and Her Three Daughters |
| Archdiocese | Australia |
St Sophia Greek Orthodox Church, officially called the St Sophia and Her Three Daughters Greek Orthodox Church, is a historic building in Surry Hills, a suburb of Sydney, Australia. It is a Greek Orthodox church located at 411a Bourke Street. This building was once a different type of church, known as the Bourke Street Congregational Church and School. It is considered very important and was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999.
Contents
History of the Church Building
Early Beginnings
The church building we see today was designed by William Boles. It first opened its doors in 1880. Before this new building, the church had been around since 1855. It was called the Bourke Street Wesleyan Church back then.
A Portable Church
The very first church building was quite unusual. It was a portable iron structure. The parts for this building were brought all the way from England! John Goold designed and built this early church. When the new, bigger church was finished in 1880, the old iron structure was moved to Stewart Street in Paddington.
Helping the Community
By 1933, the church faced some challenges. Not as many people were attending, and money was tight. The area around the church was not as popular as it used to be. The church could no longer afford a full-time minister. Instead, ministers were sent by the Home Mission Board to help out.
Even with money problems, the church did a lot to help people. During the 1930s, they provided free meals to men who didn't have jobs. Between 1932 and 1935, they served an amazing 20,000 meals in the school hall!
Changing Hands
The original church closed in the late 1930s. Years later, in 1974, the Greek Orthodox Church started leasing the building. They used it as their place of worship. Then, in the 1980s, the Greek Orthodox Church bought the building from the Congregational Church.
The church continues to operate today as the St Sophia Greek Orthodox Church. An old pipe organ from the church, built in 1888, was moved in the 1980s. It went to the Galston Uniting Church because the new owners didn't need it. This organ, called the Galston Congregational Church Pipe Organ, is also a protected heritage item.
Church Leaders
Since the Greek Orthodox Church took over in 1974, several priests have served this parish. Here are some of them:
- Archimandrite Father Nektarios Zorbalas
- Father Ioannis Evangelinidis
- Father Panagiotis Baskoutas (served until 2017)
- Father Agathangelo Masteas (served from 2017 to 2023)
- Archimandrite Father Irenaeus Triantis (serving from 2023 to the present day)
Heritage Status
The Bourke Street Congregational Church and School building is very important. It was officially listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999. This listing means the building is recognized for its historical and cultural value. It helps protect the building for future generations to enjoy and learn from.
More to Explore
- Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia
- Greek Orthodox churches in New South Wales
- Sophia of Rome
