Tuesday 27 July 2010

Forgotten Nooks - Church Hill


Come with me on a leisurely meander up from Sergeant Major’s Row, where the sandstone rocks morph into ridges covered with Forest Red Gums, up the rise where stands the church of St Phillip. Turn and look back from whence we came, and to our left we see the ragged rows of tents, the already crumbling wattle’n’daub huts of the convicts, the soldiers and the few free settlers. Ahead lies the beauty of the cove where ships of many nations already ride at anchor. Survey with me a township barely 22 years in the making.


Now leap 200 years into the future with me, where the second church to bear the name St Phillip stands just across York Street from its namesake burnt to the ground in 1856. We stand on the green of Church Hill, surrounded by the houses of many Christian faiths. The foundation stone of that original St Phillip – ‘the ugliest church in all Christendom’ – rests on the southern wall proudly proclaiming its consecration in 1810.


Church Hill remains as a small handkerchief of park bounded by Grosvenor, York and Lang Streets, now renamed Lang Park to honour the memory of the fiery Presbyterian pastor, John Dunmore Lang. Many churches still grace its perimeter, but in this more godless age, not all performing their original purpose.

Church Hill is a forgotten nook within the city, mown down by the juggernaut of urban renewal.


A member of the My World Tuesday community.

38 comments:

Lois said...

What a magnificent sanctuary!

Clytie said...

I agree with Lois - it's magnificent.

Beverley Baird said...

What a gorgeous cathedral!
Thanks so much for checking about the photo size. I have no idea - I just take the photos and load them! lol
I sure do enjoy these memes tho - you meet such intersting people and see so much of the world.
Take care.

Barb said...

Hi Julie, Thanks for taking us along as you explored this forgotten nook. The photo of the sanctuary is awe-inspiring (or reverence-inspiring...) I see you're a retired teacher, too. Enjoy!

Perry said...

Wow! Absolutely lovely captures. It feels like I am there. Thanks for sharing!

Sylvia K said...

Magnificent captures, Julie! Thanks so much for the tour! The sanctuary is awe-inspiring indeed! Have a great week!

Sylvia

Lesley said...

Oh dear, that poor 'ugliest church'!
It is often hard to imagine life 200 years previous as modernity closes in around the old buildings.

Eve said...

The church is gorgeous and the grounds look like a wonderful place to roam around. Thanks for sharing the history - it has a very interesting past!

Inday said...

Great shots Julie. Never been inside though I have passed this place many times by bus.

Dimple said...

This is quite a lovely building, and your pictures emphasize its beauty.

alicesg said...

The church is beautifully built. Looked so amazing. Thanks for sharing.

Jayne said...

What beauty and serenity :)

Indrani said...

Wow! Grand interiors!

Rajesh said...

Wonderful shots of the church. The interiors are awesome.

Paula said...

What an incredible location and history. Your photos are just stunning!

Penelope Notes said...

It’s hard to believe that such beauty can be forgotten were it not for folk like you who makes history come alive with a camera. :)

Unknown said...

fascinating history! the church is gorgeous and impressive. wonderful post.

Unknown said...

great shots here. Love the first three...so warm and earthy in the orange tone.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful heritage buildings and interiors, shown off to advantage, and as always a thoroughly researched story. Thanks.

Jim said...

I'm not familiar with this church or the story. Terrific interior shots.

Bill said...

The things you learn every day! I always thought Church Hill was a British Prime Minister with a penchant for cigars.

Shiju Sugunan said...

Absolutely fantastic shots. Compliments!

Julie said...

Oh you gave me a chuckle, BB.

BraCom said...

Beautiful photoe from this church
well done!

Enjoy your week,

Bram

Seen on My World Tuesday

Gattina said...

I have seldom seen such a beautiful church because of its simplicity.
Is it in Australia ? I always get confused because you have often the same names as in the UK only with a "New" in front and sometimes even not and as it is 200 years old I really don't know. To us Europeans in Australia everything looks new, lol !

Peter said...

Beaut interior, I probably pass this every day, thankyou for opening my eyes.

Julie said...

Gattina, yes it is in Australia and yes the area of Church Hill is 200 years old although the church dates from 1856. I agree that in comparison with Europe, everything in Australia appears quite new.

Hilda said...

Makes me wonder what the first St. Phillip looks like to be labeled "the ugliest church in Christendom," especially since this second one is magnificent in its (relative) simplicity. I especially like the ceiling and the stained glass window behind the altar.

Thank you for this wonderful tour, Julie. I have a fascination for church architecture.

Anonymous said...

I think it is totally amazing what "donations" can do if they are used properly. A beautiful church.

Joan Elizabeth said...

I used to walk past that church when I lived down that way and like the look of the front doors ... lovely to see the interior ... so beautifully photographed.

Animor said...

How beautiful the structure of the church, it's well maintained and looks very shiny. How many couples walk in that aisle?it's countless I think. Great photos.

Kat said...

That sanctuary is simply breathtaking. Beautiful shots, thanks for the tour! Kat

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

This is just a beautiful post -- I love how you integrated the history with your stunning photos. Hope the pocket of history manages to elude the ongoinng urban renewal.

I love finding "secret" places like this.

GalleryJuana said...

Thank you for your comment on my blog.

Incredible photography on your blog. I love how you captured the warm colors of the stonework, wood and arches inside the church.

Bez sosiku said...

It's a beautiful, beautiful church. So peaceful.

Melissa said...

Quite possibly some of the best photos I have ever seen. Looks stunning. Breathtaking even.

Anonymous said...

Hello Julie. It is great to have discovered your blog. While browsing through all those fantastic picture i got to find out these from one of my favorite phot subjects,,,churchs!! I love them all, romanic, gothic, etc,etc,, i found it always interesting. Of course, it is even better when you can see such wonderful pics like these here, you know, it is always difficult to make good shots from indoors and you have achieved it. Thanks for joining my blog, it is a pleasure and hope you to enjoy my images. Best regards and keep well
=)
Alberto

Julie said...

Thank you, Alberto. YOur kind words are much appreciated. I too like churches even though I am not in the least a religious person. I am working on posts for other churches in my city.