Parramatta, NSW - Leigh Memorial Uniting
Denomination: Uniting
Address: 119 Macquarie Street, Parramatta, New South Wales, 2150
Previous Denomination: Methodist
Architect: Unknown
Traditional Owners: Barramattagul people
Last Updated: 04/12/2023
Click on the image to view larger (2 photos)
History and Architecture:
Leigh Memorial Church stands on one of the most important national sites for the Methodist Church of Australasia and is named after the first Methodist minister, The Revd Samuel Leigh, who arrived in 1815.
Work commenced in 1884 with the foundation stone being laid on 6 February in the presence of around two to three hundred people. In all four foundation stones were laid: the first by Mrs Ellen Schofield widow of Rev. Schofield who had conducted a mission in Tonga and served at Parramatta 1832-1833 and 1845-1847.
The second was laid by Mrs. Elizabeth (Betsy) Hunt an active member of the Parramatta church; a third was laid by Sir Wigram Allen who had supported the Methodist movement in Australia for many years; lastly a stone was laid by The Hon. James Byrnes, a past mayor of the township and perhaps the church’s most senior member. Byrnes, who passed away in 1886, is remembered through the large rose window on the gallery level of the church.
The Church was opened on 21st of June 1885 and is the third church building to stand on the site.
Clergy:
These names are now in the database and can be searched individually
| Years | Name | Annotation | D.o.B | D.o.D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1820 - 1822 | Rev W. Lawry | WM | ||
| 1822 - 1823 | Rev B. Carvosso | WM | ||
| 1822 - 1823 | Rev R. Manfield | WM | ||
| 1823 - 1825 | Rev G. Erskine | WM | ||
| 1825 - 1827 | Rev S. Leigh | WM | ||
| 1827 - 1828 | Rev N. Turner | WM | ||
| 1827 - 1828 | Rev N. Turner | WM | ||
| 1828 - 1831 | Rev J. Hutchinson | WM | ||
| 1831 - 1832 | Rev J. A. Manton | WM | ||
| 1832 - 1834 | Rev W. Scholfield | WM | ||
| 1834 - 1836 | Rev W. Simpson | WM | ||
| 1836 - 1840 | Rev D. J. Draper | WM | ||
| 1840 - 1843 | Rev J. McKenny | WM | ||
| 1843 - 1847 | Rev E. Sweetnam | WM | ||
| 1847 - 1848 | Rev T. Adams | WM | ||
| 1848 - 1852 | Rev B. Chapman | WM | ||
| 1852 - 1857 | Rev H. H. Gaud | WM | ||
| 1857 - 1862 | Rev S. Rabone | WM | ||
| 1862 - 1865 | Rev C. W. Rigg | WM | ||
| 1865 - 1868 | Rev J. Watkin | WM | ||
| 1868 - 1871 | Rev S. Wilkinson | WM | ||
| 1871 - 1874 | Rev W. Hill | WM | ||
| 1874 - 1877 | Rev J. B. Waterhouse | WM | ||
| 1877 - 1880 | Rev J. Orton | WM | ||
| 1880 - 1881 | Rev J. W. Dowson | WM | ||
| 1881 - 1882 | Rev G. Martin | WM | ||
| 1882 - 1885 | Rev J. Clifton | WM | ||
| 1885 - 1886 | Rev H. W.T. Pincombe | WM | ||
| 1886 - 1889 | Rev C. Olden | WM | ||
| 1889 - 1891 | Rev M. H. Parkinson | WM | ||
| 1891 - 1894 | Rev J. W. Winspear | WM | ||
| 1894 - 1897 | Rev P. J. Stephen | WM | ||
| 1897 - 1900 | Rev J. E. Carruthers | WM | ||
| 1900 - 1903 | Rev R. Sellors | M | ||
| 1903 - 1906 | Rev C. T. Newman | M | ||
| 1906 - 1908 | Rev J. Woodhouse | M | ||
| 1908 - 1911 | Rev F. J. Branch | M | ||
| 1911 - 1914 | Rev G. C. Percival | M | ||
| 1914 - 1919 | Rev T. B. Holmes | M | ||
| 1919 - 1920 | Rev W. E. Bromilow | M | ||
| 1920 - 1921 | Rev W. Mills Robson | M | ||
| 1921 - 1925 | Rev H. E. Andrews | M | ||
| 1925 - 1928 | Rev R. J. Murray | M | ||
| 1928 - 1931 | Rev H. S. Bowden | M | ||
| 1931 - 1934 | Rev E. E. Hynes | M | ||
| 1934 - 1938 | Rev James H. Somerville | M | ||
| 1938 - 1942 | Rev T. Manning Taylor | M | ||
| 1942 - 1944 | Rev George R. Holland | M | ||
| 1946 - 1951 | Rev Albert E. Putland | M | ||
| 1951 - 1955 | Rev Gloster S. Udy | M | ||
| 1955 - 1962 | Rev Donavan W. Hall | M | ||
| 1962 - | Rev Reuben Bird | M |
Organ:
The Organ was built by William Davidson in 1878 of Pyrmont, to the design of Frederick Morley. Originally installed in the chapel of 1839. Rebuilt by Charles Richardson in 1905, again rebuilt by S.T. Noad & Son in 1961, and again by Peter D.G. Jewkes Pty Ltd in 2000. It has 2m., 27 sp.st., electric.
For a full description and photos click here.
Source:
1. Organ Music Society of Sydney with permission.
2. Parramatta Council Heritage website.
3. Back to Parramatta; centenary celebrations of Macquarie Hall 1839-1939 from Illuminate.