Annandale, NSW - Hunter Baillie Memorial Presbyterian
Year Built: 1886
Denomination: Presbyterian
Address: Corner Johnson & Collins Streets, Annandale, New South Wales, 2038
Architect: Cyril & Arthur Blacket
Architectural Style: Gothic Early English
Traditional Owners: Gadigal and Wangal people
Last Updated: 02/08/2024
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History and Architecture:
Built between 1886 and 1889 and opened in February 1889 the church was a gift by Mrs Helen Hunter Baillie as a memorial to her husband John Baillie who died in 1854. He was a sub-editor of the Colonial Observer and later the Secretary and Inspector of the Bank of New South Wales.
The Architect's were Cyril & Arthur Blacket son of the famous colonial architect Edmund Blacket. The building cost 35,000. The Church was constructed in the early English Gothic style. The spire is 60 metres above street level while the interior contains pillars of Scottish granite and Melbourne bluestone.
Much of the timber is Australian red cedar whilst the pulpit is superbly carved Oamaru stone from New Zealand, with green marble columns and base.
An on-going program of restoration has taken place one of which cost $90,000 in the 1980's.
Clergy:
This list may not contain every serving cleric, past or present, for this church.
Further submissions welcomed.
| Years | Name | Annotation | D.o.B | D.o.D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1942 - 1945 | Rev Arthur Trafford Walker | 1903 | 1996 | |
| 1946 - 1949 | Rev George Leisham Sneddon | 1890 | 1949 | |
| 1956 - 1971 | Rev Leonard Mervyn Williams | With Leichhart | 1909 | 1991 |
| 2010 - | Rev Peter Dunstan |
Organ:
The Organ was built by Hill & Son in 1890. Its case, designed by Dr A.G. Hill, is reminiscent of the firms' design for Chichester Cathedral, from 1888 and incorporates burnished tin faade pipes. Built in 1890 at a cost of 850, the organ was opened on 29 May 1892 by Sydney City Organist, Auguste Wiegand.
For a complete description and photos click here.
Source:
1. Organ Music Society of Sydney with permission.
2. Biographical Register of Presbyterian Ministers in Australia 1901-1977 New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia with permission Rowland Ward and Malcolm Prentis.