Pitt Street Uniting Church
Encyclopedia
The Pitt Street Uniting Church is located in Pitt Street, Sydney
, New South Wales
. Founded in 1833, the congregation became the mother church of Congregationalism
in NSW.
The church was involved in debates on a number of social issues, especially education. It supported initiatives such as the establishment of the Sussex Street Mission, the Boys' Brigade
and the YMCA
.
In 1928, Church House (now Pilgrim House) was erected, as an early attempt to introduce an income earning space to support pastoral activities. Pilgrim House was constructed during a revival in the activities of the parish under the ministry of the Reverend T. E. Ruth. He promoted the idea that the parish should expand its role and its ability to earn income by the provision of both meeting rooms and rentable space.
In the 1960s there was a proposal to demolish the building. Jack Mundey and the Builders Labourers Federation responded to a plea by congregation members and declared a Green Ban on the project, thus saving the building.
By the mid 1970s, the small congregation, devoted itself to renewing the life of the parish and began restoring the church and Pilgrim House.
In 1977 it became part of the Uniting Church.
The building was designed by English-trained John Bibb (1810–1862) who in 1832 joined John Verge
, one of the leading architects in Sydney, as an assistant. It was enlarged between 1857 and 1867, but the architect of this work is unknown. This included the internal galleries, resting on fluted iron columns cast by Dawson of Sydney, and the vestry to the rear.
During the 1960s the church fell into disrepair, but the loss of the building altogether was prevented by a ban imposed by the Builders Labourers Federation
in 1973. Some basic work to bring the organ back into use was carried out in 1974 by Pitchford & Garside: in 1982 the firm commenced a staged restoration project with Kelvin Hastie as consultant and this was assisted by a NSW Heritage Grant.
), John Fairfax
, Rev. John West and Rev. Joseph Coles Kirby
.
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
. Founded in 1833, the congregation became the mother church of Congregationalism
Congregational church
Congregational churches are Protestant Christian churches practicing Congregationalist church governance, in which each congregation independently and autonomously runs its own affairs....
in NSW.
History
The life of the congregation began when a church was founded on a nearby site in 1833. The foundation stone for the current building was laid in 1842 and took 4 years to complete. In 1846, the congregation moved to the new building, which was expanded in size and design in 1867.The church was involved in debates on a number of social issues, especially education. It supported initiatives such as the establishment of the Sussex Street Mission, the Boys' Brigade
Boys' Brigade
For the 80s New Wave band from Canada, see Boys Brigade .The Boys' Brigade is an interdenominational Christian youth organisation, conceived by William Alexander Smith to combine drill and fun activities with Christian values...
and the YMCA
YMCA
The Young Men's Christian Association is a worldwide organization of more than 45 million members from 125 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs...
.
In 1928, Church House (now Pilgrim House) was erected, as an early attempt to introduce an income earning space to support pastoral activities. Pilgrim House was constructed during a revival in the activities of the parish under the ministry of the Reverend T. E. Ruth. He promoted the idea that the parish should expand its role and its ability to earn income by the provision of both meeting rooms and rentable space.
In the 1960s there was a proposal to demolish the building. Jack Mundey and the Builders Labourers Federation responded to a plea by congregation members and declared a Green Ban on the project, thus saving the building.
By the mid 1970s, the small congregation, devoted itself to renewing the life of the parish and began restoring the church and Pilgrim House.
In 1977 it became part of the Uniting Church.
The church building
The exterior is an example of late Georgian Classical design. The facade to Pitt Street is sandstone, symmetrical with monumental Ionic columns rising through two storey, supporting cornice and ballustraded parapet. Columns flank pedimented windows on ground floor and central door with windows lighting the galleries above.The building was designed by English-trained John Bibb (1810–1862) who in 1832 joined John Verge
John Verge
John Verge was an English architect, builder, pioneer settler of New South Wales, who migrated to Australia and pursued his career there. Verge was one of the earliest and the most important architect of the Greek Revival in Australia. He also brought more comprehensive range of Regency style than...
, one of the leading architects in Sydney, as an assistant. It was enlarged between 1857 and 1867, but the architect of this work is unknown. This included the internal galleries, resting on fluted iron columns cast by Dawson of Sydney, and the vestry to the rear.
During the 1960s the church fell into disrepair, but the loss of the building altogether was prevented by a ban imposed by the Builders Labourers Federation
Builders Labourers Federation
The Builders Labourers Federation is an Australian trade union organisation which existed from 1911 until 1972, and from 1976 until 1986, when it was permanently deregistered in various Australian States by the federal Labor government and some state governments of the time. This occurred in the...
in 1973. Some basic work to bring the organ back into use was carried out in 1974 by Pitchford & Garside: in 1982 the firm commenced a staged restoration project with Kelvin Hastie as consultant and this was assisted by a NSW Heritage Grant.
Historical figures
Many prominent citizens of Sydney were associated with the church and the walls are covered with memorial plaques that give a commentary on the life of the church itself. Notable members of the congregation include David Jones (founder of David Jones LimitedDavid Jones Limited
David Jones Limited , colloquially known as DJs, is a high-end Australian department store chain.David Jones was founded in 1838 by David Jones, a Welsh immigrant, and is claimed to be the oldest continuously operating department store in the world still trading under its original name. It...
), John Fairfax
John Fairfax
John Fairfax , English-born journalist, is notable for the incorporation of the major newspapers of modern day Australia.-Early life:...
, Rev. John West and Rev. Joseph Coles Kirby
Joseph Coles Kirby
Joseph Coles Kirby was an English flour miller who migrated to Sydney, Australia in 1854. In 1864, Kirby was ordained in the Congregational Churches and then ministered to rural and city congregations in Queensland and South Australia and supported or lead many causes for social reform such as the...
.