The word of John Wesley was first introduced into the Hawkesbury when Edgar Eager commenced Methodist classes in 1812 in Windsor. The first Methodist minister Reverend Samuel Leigh, arrived in the colony in 1815 onboard the Hebe, and he visited the district the following year. The first Methodist Church in the colony (and the Southern Hemisphere) was erected in 1817 by John Lees on land donated by Lees in Castlereagh. The foundation stone for the first church in the Hawkesbury was laid in Windsor in 1818 and opened several months later. The site was located on the corner of George and Macquarie Streets and was presented by Reverend Samuel Marsden to Reverend Samuel Leigh. 32' x 16', The church developed and a larger building required. Reverend W. Schofield laid the foundation stone in October 1838 and the church officially opened on the 4th December 1839, the structure was 50' x 30' and was capable of seating a congregation of 150. The cost of the new church was £1020[1].
A school hall was constructed in 1861 and used as a Wesleyan day school. It opened with a bazaar on the 16th July 1861 and was also used for Sunday School classes.[2] Many denominational schools faded out following introduction of the public school system in the 1870s but the hall was used for Sunday School and religious classes, etc.
On the afternoon of the 23rd December 1874 a catastrophic fire burnt out most of the business area between George, Macquarie & Fitzgerald Streets in Windsor. The Wesleyan parsonage also known as the Mission House, located on the corner of Fitzgerald and Macquarie Streets, facing into Macquarie, was razed to the ground. At the time of the fire the parsonage was occupied by Reverend Samuel Wilkinson. Reverend Wilkinson wrote: "The excitement was intense, and no effort could consequently be made to save the Parsonage. We instantly commenced removing clothing, bedding, ect., but we were soon obliged to fly for our lives". He also lost a large library of books, most of his furniture, family effects and money. The adjoining Wesleyan Chapel on Macquarie Street was also burnt out. Although surrounded by flames the small Wesleyan school house beside the chapel, and facing Macquarie Street, survived unscathed.[3]
Eventually a new building was constructed to replace the building destroyed as a result of the fire. The foundation stone was laid on the 8th December 1875. The new church was a much more substantial building and cost £2080 to complete. The new church faced into Fitzgerald Street & opened on the 30th August 1876.[4] Later a new parsonage was constructed on the opposite corner facing into Macquarie Street.
(Click on image to see a full size version.)
Richmond was regularly visited by the Wesleyan missionaries and worship was held mainly in private homes. Reverend Samuel Leigh visited the Hawkesbury district in 1817. Following a service which he led in a private home in Richmond, he recorded his impression of the area.
He wrote
The scenery around the town is varied and beautiful in a high degree. I was astonished when I crossed the main street and for the first time looked down on the celebrated Australian River, the Hawkesbury as it flowed, smooth & deep, on the other side of the eminence, on which the settlement stands
He was obviously fascinated by the local scenery however, the local inhabitants of the area did not impress him. He recorded:
Ignorance and licentiousness abounded. But not withstanding this, the visit of the Missionary was regarded as an important event. [5]
Eventually the followers purchased land in Windsor Street and the Foundation stone was laid by Reverend George Erskine on the 24th July 1827. At that service Erskine preached a very appropriate sermon on the occasion from Christ's words to Martha "One thing is needful".[6] A small brick chapel was erected that could seat about 80 people and was officially opened on the 27th October 1827, with Rev. Samuel Leigh from Parramatta leading the morning service and Erskine from Windsor taking the evening service.
As the congregation increased, a larger building was eventually required by the followers in Richmond. The Foundation stone was laid on the 10th February 1842 in Windsor Street. The church was officially opened on the 20th August 1842 and it was plain brick building measuring 43 feet in length and 23 feet wide. The older building was sold for £102.[7]
The preachers in early Australia covered long distances bringing the word of God to the inhabitants of often isolated communities. Rev. James Watkins preached in the Hawkesbury district between 1855 to 1858, travelling to the Macdonald, Lower Hawkesbury, Kurrajong as well as other centres. He recorded in his Diary for the year 1856 :
During the year I have travelled on duty for 2,281 miles, preached 171 times and attended 10 missionary meetings. [8]
The premises in Windsor Street was used until the late 1920s when land was purchased in Paget Street, Richmond and a new brick church was constructed. The old site, situated in the commercial centre of the town was sold. Shop fronts were constructed in front of the church and were named “Kilduffs Buildings” in 1930. However the chapel still remains and if you stand on the Richmond Park side of Windsor Street near the Pedistrian crossing one can still see the original building with “Wesleyan Chapel 1842” inscribed.
The Foundation stone for the new church in Paget Street was laid by Mrs B. E. Sullivan on the 7th September 1929 and the church was officially opened on the 30th November 1929 by the Rev. G. Furner. In 1977 the Uniting Church in Australia was established when the Congregational, Methodist & Presbyterian Churches united. The Paget Street building was eventually sold.
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[1]STEELE (1916, 1977) Early days of Windsor pp.102-6
[2] Ibid
[3]NICHOLS, M. The Disastrous Decade : destruction & desolation in Windsor 1864 - 1874.
[4] BOWD (1994, 1969) Macquarie Country p.85
[5]COLWELL (1904) History of Methodism in Australia p.72
[6] Sydney Gazette 12 November 1827
[7] COLWELL (1904) History of Methodism in Australia p.72
[8] Rev. J. Watkins Journal 1855-1858 (ML)
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