Balmain, NSW - Presbyterian
Year Built: 1868
Denomination: Presbyterian
Address: 7 Campbell Street, Balmain, New South Wales, 2041
Architect: James McDonald
Traditional Owners: Gadigal and Wangal people
Last Updated: 10/08/2024
Click on the image to view larger (2 photos)
History and Architecture:
The first church was erected in 1842 at a cost of £25.00 and was the first church to be built in Balmain.
An early stone Early English Gothic Revival style Church constructed in 1867-1868. The Church significantly retains its original form, scale and details particularly the stone façades and roof and associated details and prominent tower and stone spire. It significantly continues to be used by the local Presbyterian community.
The Builder was James Burt.
Rock faced and dressed stone Church with pedimented gabled roof clad in slates, exposed rafter end and vented gablets along the main, central gable. The front façade is symmetrical about a central tower with stone spire framed by gabled bays with pinnacle topped stone buttresses and pointed arched timber framed windows and doors with rustic stone label moulds over.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1857 - 1869 | Rev Thomas A. Gordon | |||
| 1869 - 1872 | Rev Colin McCullock | |||
| 1872 - 1899 | Rev Dr James Cosh | |||
| 1896 - 1899 | Rev Ebenezer Fox | 1852 | 1928 | |
| 1900 - 1911 | Rev J. F. Blair | |||
| 1912 - 1919 | Rev George Cranston | 1874 | 1951 | |
| 1915 - 1917 | Rev J. W. McCredie | Supply Minister | ||
| 1920 - 1924 | Rev Samuel Lyons McKenzie | 1878 | 1948 | |
| 1925 - 1928 | Rev Grant Forsyth | |||
| 1929 - 1935 | Rev FDavid Ringland Hamilton | 1875 | 1945 | |
| 1936 - 1943 | Rev Samuel McDowell Mitchell | 1886 | 1973 | |
| 1944 - 1946 | Rev W. A. Walker | Student. Ordained 1946 | 1913 | 1994 |
| 1947 - 1951 | Rev Charles Henry Ball | 1886 | 1964 | |
| 1952 - 1953 | Rev J. Auld | Supply Minister | ||
| 1953 - 1960 | Rev Maxwell Osborne Fox | 1916 | 2014 | |
| 1961 - 1964 | Rev William Bennett Bartlett | 1915 | 2013 | |
| 1965 - 1969 | Rev Leslie Arthur Martin | With Rozelle | 1923 | 2007 |
| 1970 - 1989 | Rev Andrew Soos | With Rozelle | 1920 | 2005 |
| 2011 - | Rev Luke Tattersall | |||
| 2024 - | Rev Simon Arkapaw | approx date | ||
| 2024 - | Rev James Beaver | approx date |
Organ:
The organ, which stands at the front of the building was built in 1893 at a cost of £504 in 1893 by Charles Richardson. It was opened for a recital on 28 May of that year. It has 2m., 17 sp. st., mechanical and tubular-pneumatic.
For a complete description and photos click here.
Source:
1. Cambell Street Presbyterian Church Centenary 1868 - 1968
2. NSW Heritage website
3. Organ Historical Trust of Australia with permission.
4. Biographical Register of Presbyterian Ministers in Australia 1901-1977 New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia with permission Rowland Ward and Malcolm Prentis.