St. Andrew's Anglican Church (former)

Item details


Name of item:	St. Andrew's Anglican Church (former)
Other name/s:	St Andrew's, St Andrews
Type of item:	Built
Group/Collection:	Religion
Category:	Church
Location:	Lat: -30.9839395422 Long: 151.5904808250
Primary address:	South Street, Walcha, NSW 2354
Parish:	Walcha
County:	Vernon
Local govt. area:	Walcha
Local Aboriginal Land Council:	Amaroo

Property description

Lot/Volume Code	Lot/Volume Number	Section Number	Plan/Folio Code	Plan/Folio Number
LOT	12	34	DP	759035
LOT	13	34	DP	759035
LOT	14	34	DP	759035
LOT	15	34	DP	759035

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
South Street	Walcha	Walcha	Walcha	Vernon	Primary Address

Description


Builder/Maker:	Mr Mitchell (church); Hardman & Co. (one window)
Construction years:	1862-
Physical description:	Simple nave and apse, with one slight rear wing church of basalt stone built in 1862 by Mr Mitchell (Arundale, 2019). Some fine stained glass windows, the oldest of which, depicting the gospel in glass, is by Hardman & Co, Birmingham (ibid, 2019).
Physical condition and/or Archaeological potential:	In a state of disrepair, not used since the 1990s (Arundale, 2019)
	Date condition updated:10 May 19


Current use:	church
Former use:	Aboriginal land, town lot

History

Historical notes:

St Andrews Church in Walcha is the oldest building standing in the town and the oldest Church in the Armidale Anglican Diocese. It was built in 1862 by Mr Mitchell and consecrated in 1866, many past generations have connections to the heritage listed stone church (Arundale, 2019).

Some of the fine stained glass windows were dedicated to pioneer families of the district including the Fenwick, Wauch (of Wauchope) and Laird families. The oldest window, depicting the gospel in glass, is by Hardman & Co, Birmingham. It is dedicated to William Denne who, with his brother Richard, selected Tia Station in the 1830s. It is believed to be the oldest example of a window by the Hardman Company in regional NSW. Hardman & Co. (otherwise known as John Hardman Trading Co., Ltd.) was founded in 1838, began manufacturing stained glass in 1844 and became one of the world's leading manufacturers of stained glass and ecclesiastical fittings. It was wound up in 2008 (ibid, 2019).

The building is in a state of disrepair and has not been used since the 1990s. However, a group of residents want to change this and bring the building back to life. The group have begun to raise $50,000 to put towards work to save the building and its historic stained glass windows. Calling themselves 'The Friends of the Old Stone Church', with the permission of the parish and diocese, they are endeavouring to raise $50,000 to receive a matching NSW Heritage Council grant (ibid, 2019).

Historic themes

Australian theme (abbrev)	New South Wales theme	Local theme
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Other open space-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Changing the environment-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Landscapes of institutions - productive and ornamental-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Landscapes and parklands of distinctive styles-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Creating environments evocative of the 'old country'-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.	Building settlements, towns and cities-National Theme 4
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Townships-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Administering and alienating Crown lands-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Alienating Crown Lands for religious purposes-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Developing private towns-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Beautifying towns and villages-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Creating landmark structures and places in regional settings-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	A quiet Rural District-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	19th Century Infrastructure-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	Adaptation of overseas design for local use-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation	Gathering at landmark places to socialise-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation	Going to church or temple or mosque-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Religion-Activities associated with particular systems of faith and worship	Anglican Community-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Religion-Activities associated with particular systems of faith and worship	Practising Anglicanism-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Religion-Activities associated with particular systems of faith and worship	Church-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Social institutions-Activities and organisational arrangements for the provision of social activities	Places of formal community gatherings-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Social institutions-Activities and organisational arrangements for the provision of social activities	Places of informal community gatherings-

Recommended management:

Recommendations

Management Category	Description	Date Updated
Recommended Management	Produce a Conservation Management Plan (CMP)
Recommended Management	Prepare a maintenance schedule or guidelines
Recommended Management	Document and prepare an archival record
Recommended Management	Carry out interpretation, promotion and/or education

Procedures /Exemptions

Section of act	Description	Title	Comments	Action date
57(2)	Exemption to allow work	Heritage Act	Record converted from HIS events Order Under Section 57(2) to exempt the following activities from Section 57(1): (1) The maintenance of any item on the site , meaning the continuous protective care of existing materials; and (2) Alterations to the new church, rectory or hall, provided these do not add to the bulk of the buildings nor adversely affect the heritage significance of Old St Andrews Church.	Aug 29 1986
57(2)	Exemption to allow work	Standard Exemptions	HERITAGE ACT 1977 ORDER UNDER SECTION 57(2) TO GRANT STANDARD EXEMPTIONS FROM APPROVAL I, Penny Sharpe, the Minister for Heritage, on the recommendation of the Heritage Council of New South Wales and under section 57(2) of the Heritage Act 1977: revoke the order made on 2 June 2022 and published in the Government Gazette Number 262 of 17 June 2022; and grant an exemption from section 57(1) of the Act in respect of the engaging in or carrying out the class of activities described in clause 2 Schedule A in such circumstances specified by the relevant standards in clause 2 Schedule A and General Conditions in clause 3 Schedule A. This Order takes effect on the date it is published in the NSW Government Gazette. Dated this 29th day of October 2025 The Hon Penny Sharpe MLC Minister for Heritage For more information on standard exemptions click on the link below.	Nov 7 2025

Standard exemptions for engaging in or carrying out activities / works otherwise prohibited by section 57(1) of the Heritage Act 1977

Listings

Heritage Listing	Listing Number	Gazette Date	Gazette Number	Gazette Page
Heritage Act - State Heritage Register	00469	02 Apr 99	27	1546
Heritage Act - Permanent Conservation Order - former	00469	29 Aug 86	136	4237
Local Environmental Plan		13 Oct 00	137	11130
Register of the National Estate		25 Aug 81

References, internet links & images

None

Note: internet links may be to web pages, documents or images.

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Data source


The information for this entry comes from the following source:
Name:	Heritage NSW
Database number:	5045356
File number:	S91/01309 & HC 33299

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