Gerringong, NSW - St George's Anglican
Year Built: 1874
Denomination: Anglican
Saint: George
Address: 103 Fern Street, Gerringong, New South Wales, 2534
Architect: Edmund Blacket
Traditional Owners: Dharawal people
Last Updated: 04/11/2023
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History and Architecture:
The first Church built by George and Henry Gray in 1855, occupied the site where the present building now stands, and was constructed of timber slabs. The cost of the building was £200, secured by voluntary contributions, and it accommodated 200 worshippers.
Divine Service appears to have been conducted there from September 30, 1855, when some 80 people were present. It was officially opened on Sunday, July 6, 1856, by the Incumbent, the Rev. Dr. James Barnier. The sermon was preached by the Rev. Hilton Smythe King, Incumbent of Surry Hills, Sydney. The names of the builders appear as churchwardens on Church registers of those days.
The Foundation Stone of the present church was laid on St. George's Day, April 23, 1873, by the Rev. Dr. J. H. L. Zillman. The description is as follows, per "The Kiama Independent": "It is of Norman style, and was designed free of charge by Mr. E. T. Blacket, the noted Church architect, and the construction was carried out by Mr. Peter Walker and Son of Kiama, at a cost of about £470, inclusive of internal fittings. The dimensions are 37' x 21', capable of seating about 200 people.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1869 - 1871 | Rev Hugh Barker | 1835 | 1901 | |
| 1879 - 1887 | Rev John Done | 1846 | 1921 | |
| 1890 - | Rev John Howell Price | 1853 | 1921 | |
| 1893 - 1895 | Rev Jeremiah Chaffers Welsh | 1842 | 1912 | |
| 1904 - 1911 | Rev Thomas Verrier Alkin | 1838 | 1921 | |
| 1906 - 1908 | Rev Thomas Melville Pearce Gerry | Catechist | 1885 | 1974 |
| 1915 - 1916 | Rev Alfred Henry Gallop | Locum | 1887 | 1973 |
| 1916 - 1920 | Rev Arthur Reeves | 1876 | 1946 | |
| 1922 - 1926 | Rev Edwin Thomas Pearce | Catechist | 1874 | 1947 |
| 1926 - 1940 | Rev Joseph William Andrew Watkinson | 1877 | 1943 | |
| 1930 - | Rev William John Gerrard | Locum | 1856 | 1939 |
| 1932 - | Rev Frank Sidney Rogers | Locum | 1879 | 1957 |
| 1932 - 1934 | Rev Jon Harringing Vaughan | Curate | 1909 | 1989 |
| 1933 - 1934 | Rev Stephen Taylor | Locum | 1869 | 1953 |
| 1936 - | Rev Thomas Harold Henning Sloman | Catechist | 1911 | 1973 |
| 1939 - 1942 | Rev William Arthur Watts | Catechist | 1909 | 1975 |
| 1953 - 1955 | Rev Kenneth Nixon Shelley | 1913 | 1974 |
Organ:
No information currently available. Submissions welcomed.
Source:
1. Cable Clerical Index with permission
2. St Georges Church of England Gerringong Centenary Booklet 1874 - 1974 from Gerringong Museum.