Surry Hills, NSW - St Michael's Anglican

Year Built: 1854

Denomination: Anglican

Saint: Michael

Address: 209 Albion Street, Surry Hills, New South Wales, 2010

Architect: Edmund Blacket

Architectural Style: Gothic Revival

Traditional Owners: Gadigal people

Last Updated: 02/04/2024

See Street View

Send your photos

Click on the image to view larger (4 photos)


History and Architecture:

St Michael’s began in the late 1830s the way all church begin – as a church plant! The first services were held in the Albion Brewery.2 Following this, the church met at a number of other locations including a school-house and the Darlinghurst Courthouse.

The Church was designed by Edmund Blacket in 1854 in the Gothic Revival style. Built of sandstone with a slate roof, it features a belfry, dormers (added in 1888), a fine interior of nave with side aisles, painted ceiling, and dormer lights. The chancel was rebuilt, and vestries added in 1917 by John Burcham Clamp. Originally the church was to seat 450 people, however these plans were later changed due to financial constraints.

The Church was built of sandstone with slate roof with the Belfry and dormers being added in 1888.

The rectory, located next to the church, was designed by John Burcham Clamp in the Edwardian style and was built in 1917.

Clergy:

These names are now in the Database and can be searched individually.

Years Name Annotation D.o.B D.o.D
1881 - 1883 Rev Joseph Campbell Curate 1856 1933
1883 - 1885 Rev Humphrey Fryer Curate 1853 1912
1885 - 1887 Rev Cannon Hulton Smyth King 1819 1897
1887 - 1892 Rev Edward David Madgwick 1874 1955
1892 - 1910 Rev James Napoleon Manning
1893 - 1897 Rev James George Fenton Curate 1860 1900
1907 - 1909 Rev Stephen Harry Denman Curate 1882 1960
1910 - 1911 Rev Charles C. Hughesdon 1868 1942
1911 - 1917 Rev Francis Rowling Elder 1855 1931
1917 - 1937 Rev Arthur Edward Morris
1937 - 1947 Rev Norman Fox 1902 1992
1947 - 1954 Rev Reginald Norman Langshaw 1911 2001
1954 - 1962 Rev John Addison Dahl 1913 1971
1963 - 1969 Rev Captain Roy Buckingham
1970 - 1972 Rev Canon William Keith Deasey
1972 - 1977 Rev Peter John Hobson
1978 - 1986 Rev Ronald Raymond Johson
1987 - 1993 Rev David Hugh Crawford
1993 - 1999 Rev Roger John Kay
1999 - 2000 Rev Ian William Lawton
2000 - Rev Francis Chalwell

Organ:

Organ by J.W. Walker, London (1865) job no 824. One manual and pedals with five stops.  Originally located side-on in north-west corner. Organ enlarged by W,G, Rendall in 1904.  Two manuals and pedals with 15 stops. Organ moved to current north-east chamber. Organ currently unplayable.

A full history of the Organ can be seen here.

 

Contributions:

 1. Pastór de Lasala OAM photos and Organ history.

Source:

1. A Task Unfinished St Michael's Surry Hills a Short History
2. Church website.
3. Cable Clerical Index.
4. Australian Heritage Database.