Chatswood South Uniting Church and Cemetery

Item details


Name of item:	Chatswood South Uniting Church and Cemetery
Other name/s:	Chatswood South Methodist Church
Type of item:	Complex / Group
Group/Collection:	Religion
Category:	Church
Location:	Lat: -33.8058834759 Long: 151.1785866350
Primary address:	518 Pacific Highway, Lane Cove North, NSW 2066
Parish:	Willoughby
County:	Cumberland
Local govt. area:	Lane Cove
Local Aboriginal Land Council:	Metropolitan

Property description

Lot/Volume Code	Lot/Volume Number	Section Number	Plan/Folio Code	Plan/Folio Number
LOT	1		DP	628241
LOT	2		DP	628241

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
518 Pacific Highway	Lane Cove North	Lane Cove	Willoughby	Cumberland	Primary Address
Helen Street	Lane Cove North	Lane Cove	Willoughby	Cumberland	Alternate Address
corner (Pacific Highway) Mowbray Road	Lane Cove North	Lane Cove	Willoughby	Cumberland	Alternate Address

Owner/s

Organisation Name	Owner Category	Date Ownership Updated
Chatswood South Uniting Church	Religious Organisation	25 Jun 10

Statement of significance:


	This church group is of historic, aesthetic and social significance as a fine, intact rural church, graveyard and landscaped grounds indicative of the early rural settlement of Lane Cove in the eighteen seventies. It is the oldest remaining (the third built) Methodist church on Sydney's North Shore, and the first church to be built in Lane Cove. The graveyard contains the remains of early pioneer families such as the Forsythe, Bryson and French families). It is also of aesthetic significance as a landmark on the Pacific Highway. (Heritage Study, 87)
	Date significance updated: 19 Jan 04
	Note: The State Heritage Inventory provides information about heritage items listed by local and State government agencies. The State Heritage Inventory is continually being updated by local and State agencies as new information becomes available. Read the Department of Premier and Cabinet copyright and disclaimer.

Description


Designer/Maker:	Thomas Rowe, possibly a Mr Morrow also (church); Hedley Carr (parsonage)
Builder/Maker:	Bryson, Leet, Johnson & Montgomery; James Montgomery; Mr Jago (masons)
Construction years:	1871-1872
Physical description:	Site: The site is on a corner of a busy intersection with the Pacific Highway. The 0.8 hectare site slopes down gently from east to west and contains a scattering of large turpentine trees, possibly remnant specimens. The property boundary has been intact since purchase in 1871. A small sandstone church in simple Victorian Gothic style occupies the north-east corner of the site. A 1960s fellowship centre lies further west, adjacent to the Sunday school. A cemetery lies to the north-west. The south-west is used as a car park shaded by trees; the south-east contains the parsonage. A small graveyard lies to the west of the church, with burials dating from eighteen seventy one to nineteen twenty four, with the majority being before nineteen ten. Most monuments are of sandstone or marble and simple in design. The cemetery is not enclosed. In the south west corner of the site are tennis courts. A well kept garden surrounds the buildings, with mature trees including eucalypts, privet (Ligustrum sp.), sweet pittosporum (P.undulatum), jacaranda (J.mimosaefolia), turpentines (Syncarpia glomulifera), funeral cypress (Cupressus funebris), four large camphor laurels (Cinnamomum camphora)(three east of church, one west of fellowship centre), and in the east facing the Pacific Highway are two Norfolk Island pines (Araucaria excelsa) and a Canary Island date palm (Phoenix canariensis). Four brush box trees (Lophostemon confertus) line the northern side of Mowbray Road. Shrubs include oleanders (Nerium oleander), camellias (Camellia sp.) and the church walls are covered with dwarf creeping fig (Ficus pumila var. pumila). Church: Gothic style sandstone church with tiled roof, built in the eighteen seventies. East front flanked by a tiny belfry with a bell from the NSW Fire Brigade. The interior walls are rendered and most windows contain stained glass. The roof is lined between the timber trusses. Pews are probably original. The original architect was T.Rowe , although there is reference to Morrow drawing the plans. The stonework contractor was Jago. The builders were Bryson, Leet, Johnson & Montgomery, all members of the early congregation. Other Buildings: Other buildings on site are a parsonage to the south, fellowship centre (twentieth century) to the south and west of the church, hall (twentieth century) west of that.
Physical condition and/or Archaeological potential:	Vandalism of the cemetery has been extreme. Of about 65 grave sites evident in nineteen eighty only about four have undamaged monuments. Most are repairable. The site has limited potential to yield in situ archaeological material as a result of development process that are likely to have disturbed or removed archaeological remains. There is greater potential to recover remains in the south-eastern portion of the site. The heritage significance of these remains was found by Anna London to be of moderate to high local significance.
	Date condition updated:19 Jan 04
Modifications and dates:	1883: a transept and porch were added 1930: sanctuary and two vestries were added, A.W.Anderson, architect 1935: pipe organ installed. Tile roof has replaced original shingles.


Current use:	church
Former use:	Aboriginal land, timber-getting, town lot

History

Historical notes:

In 1843, Wesleyan Methodist local preachers visited Lane Cove (then all North Shore) and formed a class of 12 people.

One of the first places of worship for the Methodist Church on the North Shore was a stone building on the Lane Cove Road (now Pacific Highway) at Gordon, which was built in about 1855 and known as the Lane Cove Chapel. The land on which it was built was 1/4 of an acre given to the church by the Rev. Dr. James Fullerton, Presbyterian Minister, and it was served by preachers from the old York Street Methodist Church. The site is now part of Ravenswood Methodist College (Lenehan, 1987, 43).

The leader of the commitee that built the Lane Cove Chapel was William Henry McKeown, a local orchardist, and when the chapel was too small to accommodate the increasing congregation, he was instrumental in founding several other Wesleyan churches on the North Shore. In the early 1870s, he was on the Committee of the Wesleyan Church built on the corner of Lane Cove Road and Mowbray Road, and in the late 1870s, he helped form another church on Stoney Creek (Mona Vale) Road at Pymble. Mona Vale Road leads northward via McCarrs Creek Road to Pittwater, and before 1872, MeCkeown, as a lay preacher, was conducting services under the loquat trees at Bayview. William Oliver, a local settler whose family was connected with Lane Cove for many years, donated one acre of land to the Methodists, and it was largely due to the efforts of McKeown that a church was erected in 1872, and gave its name to Church Point (ibid, 1987, 43).

Subject site:
The remaining Crown land in this area was auctioned in the 1850s, marketed as an area for fruit growing and farming.

The chuch was built on part of a 25-acre block originally granted to a soldier, Samuel Reddish, in 1794. Reddish did not settle on his grant, and by 1818 the land belonged to Isaac Nichols, who died the following year. His estate was inherited by his three sons, and on 10/4/1837 his third son, Charles Hamilton Nichols, sold two acres of his Mowbray Road holding to Dr. James Mitchell, colonial surgeon (ibid, 1987, 43).

Dr. James Mitchell, after several years of public service, conducted a private practice from his residence, Cumberland House, Cumberland Place, The Rocks, and gradually acquired much land in and around Newcastle and the Hunter Valley. He had married Augusta Maria, only daughter of Dr. Helenus Scott. His wife had several brothers, namely Robert and HElenus Scott of 'Glendon', Singleton; ALexander Walker Scott who lived near Newcastle; and Captain David Charles Frederick Scott, who owned 'Bengalla', Muswellbrook, for years, but by 1850 had commenced living in St. Leonards, North Sydney. Dr. James Mitchell and his wife had a small family, including David Scott Mitchell, barrister and noted philanthropist, whose generosity founded the Mitchell Library, and Augusta Maria, who in 1860 married Edward Christopher Merewether, who was Aide-de-camp to Governors Gipps and Fitzroy, and later Superintendent of the Australian Agricultural Company from 1861-75 (ibid, 1987, 43-44).

James Mitchell died on 1/2/1869 and according to his will, his estate still included the two acres on the corner of Mowbray and Lane Cove Roads. The executors to his will were Helenus and Alexander Walker Scott, but in 10/1869 they renounced the trusteeship, Augusta Maria, widow of Dr. Mitchell, and her brother, Dvid Charles Frederick Scott, then appointed David Scott Mitchell and his brother-in-law, Edward Christopher Merewether in their place. On 14/10/1871, these two executors conveyed the two acres to a committee of North Shore residents representing the Wesleyan Church. These men were William Henry McKeown Esp. and his son, James McKeown, of Lane Cove, farmer; James Forsyth of Parramatta Street, (now George St. West, near the Sydney Technical School (Ultimo)) Sydney, tanner and his son, Robert Forsyth of Willoughby, freeholder, and Richard Johnson of Willoughby, freeholder. For some unexplained reason, this deed was a little belated, as the church had already been built, and was opened on 11/10/1871. Robert Forsyth was one of the original member of the Chatswood South Uniting Church (ibid, 1987, 44, 45).

In 1870 Methodist services were held in the Bryson home, opposite the present day church. In 1871 the local Methodists settled purchase of the church's land (opposite the Bryson home), although the sandstone church had been recently built at this time.

The church was the third Methodist church to be built on the north shore. It is the earliest remaining. The architect is likely to have been Thomas Rowe, although it is much simpler than many other of his designs for this period. It had a timber shingle roof and cedar lining. Mr Morrow drew the plans for the building which was to be a stone structure. Stone was cut and carted to the site and timbers were hauled from the upper North Shore. The builders were Bryson, Leet, Johnson and Montgomery, who were all members of the congregation. James Montgomery was the stonemason for the church. On July 1st 1871, Mr John Dawson, a prominent business man attached to the York Street Methodist Church, laid the Foundation Stone and the church was opened on 31 December 1871.

The Christian Advocate of August 1, 1871 noted that:
"The church when finished will be a very neat and substantial structure. The site it occupies is on the Lane Cove Road, close to the junction of the North Sydney road, and is about four miles from the township of St Leonards.
The building is being constructed of stone and will be roofed with pointed shingles. The roof will be lined with cedar. Ample provision has been made for light and ventilation. The church is being built on a portion of ground of two acres extent. Part of this land is intended for a cemetery. Mt Thomas Rowe is the architect and Mr Jago of North Sydney the contractor for the stonework."

Another ceremony was held on October 7, 1883 when the transept and porch were added which meant that the space had more than doubled to a cruciform plan. In 1891 the name of the church changed from Willoughby to Chatswood.

Many well-known residents of the district have been buried in the graveyard attafched to the Mowbray Road Church, including three members of the original committee - James Forsyth died on 11/4/1907 aged 89 years; John Bryson on 2/8/1882, aged 72 years; and Richard JOhnson on 21/4/1917, aged 80 years. Two other original committee members were buried in the Methodist section of Gore Hill Cemetery (now St.Leonards). They were Robert Forsyth who died in 5/1917, aged 69 years; and John Leet, who died in 1914 (ibid, 1987, 45).

The Sunday School was built and opened in 1906. A tennis club was formed after courts were built in the south-western corner of the grounds in 1912. A second tennis court was paved in bitumen for use as a car park - year unknown. A kindergarten hall was built in 1912, but burnt down in the 1960s and was rebuilt in 1967. The primary hall was built in 1913.

In 1930 the sanctuary, two vestries and a porch were added. In 1935 a new organ was installed and in 1937 the parsonage was built, designed by the architect Hedley Carr.

In 1966 a bronze bell was installed in the tower. The fellowship centre was constructed in 1968 in honey-coloured brick.

In 1977, the entire Methodist Church agreed to join the newly created Uniting Church of Australia and after 106 years as a Methodist Church, this church became the Chatswood South Uniting Church. On 4 July 1971 Sir Roden Cutler, Govenor of NSW and his wife unveiled a plaque here on the Centennary celebrations of Chatswood South Uniting Church.

It was classified by the National Trust of Australia (NSW) in 1976 along with the gardens.

In the early 1980s, the Lane Cove Council began to take a great interest in the conservation of the graveyard (which had become neglected), and members of the Cemeteries Committee of the National Trust of Australia (NSW) spent many months clearing the undergrowth, mending the stones and recording the details of people buried there. On 12/2/1984 in an impressive ceremony, the cemetery was rededicated as a Pioneers' Memorial Reserve (ibid, 1987, 45).

The cemetery was owned and maintained by the parish from its consecration in 1871 until it was handed over to Lane Cove Council in the 1980s.

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.	Gardens-
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.	Introduce cultural planting-
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 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	Landscapes of remembrance-
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 contemplation and devotion-
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	Events-Activities and processes that mark the consequences of natural and cultural occurences	Developing local landmarks-
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	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.	A Picturesque Residential Suburb-
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	Suburban Centres-
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	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Changing land uses - from rural to suburban-
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	Sub-division of large estates-
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	Subdivision of urban estates-
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	Cultural Social and religious life-
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	20th Century infrastructure-
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-
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 suburban 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 Picturesque Residential District-
6. Educating-Educating	Education-Activities associated with teaching and learning by children and adults, formally and informally.	Private (religious) schooling-
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	Activities associated with relaxation and recreation-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation	Developing collections of items-
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	Religious worship-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Religion-Activities associated with particular systems of faith and worship	Practising Methodism-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Religion-Activities associated with particular systems of faith and worship	Adaptive new use-
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	Religion-Activities associated with particular systems of faith and worship	Practising protestant unity-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Birth and Death-Activities associated with the initial stages of human life and the bearing of children, and with the final stages of human life and disposal of the dead.	Remembering the deceased-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Birth and Death-Activities associated with the initial stages of human life and the bearing of children, and with the final stages of human life and disposal of the dead.	Burying and remembering notable persons-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Birth and Death-Activities associated with the initial stages of human life and the bearing of children, and with the final stages of human life and disposal of the dead.	Burying the dead in customary ways-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Birth and Death-Activities associated with the initial stages of human life and the bearing of children, and with the final stages of human life and disposal of the dead.	Operating and maintaining cemeteries and burial grounds-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Birth and Death-Activities associated with the initial stages of human life and the bearing of children, and with the final stages of human life and disposal of the dead.	Cemeteries-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Thomas Rowe, architect-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Dr David Scott Mitchell, doctor, bibliophile, benefactor, gentleman-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with James Mitchell, landowner and grazier-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with William Henry McKeown, Methodist-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Bryson, Leet, Johnson and Montgomery, builders-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Mr Morrow, architect-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with James Montgomery, stonemason-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Mr Jago, North Sydney stonemason-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Hedley Carr, architect-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with John Dawson, prominent businessman and Methodist-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Governor Sir Arthur Roden Cutler VC, 1966-1981-

Recommended management:

Recommendations

Management Category	Description	Date Updated
Recommended Management	Review a Conservation Management Plan (CMP)
Recommended Management	Prepare a maintenance schedule or guidelines
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	See File For Schedule Order Under Section 57(2) to exempt the following activities from Section 57(1): (1) The maintenance of any building or item on the site where maintenance means the continuous protective care of existing material; (2) Garden maintenance including cultivation, pruning, weed control, the repair and maintenance of existing fences, gates and garden walls and tree surgery but not extensive lopping; (3) Internal alterations to the Manse, the Fellowship Hall and the Kindergarten Hall. (4) Maintenance and repairs to existing access roads.	Dec 8 1989
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	00694	02 Apr 99	27	1546
Heritage Act - Permanent Conservation Order - former	00694	08 Dec 89	119	1064
Local Environmental Plan		04 Aug 95
National Trust of Australia register
Register of the National Estate	285six	21 Oct 80

Study details

Title	Year	Number	Author	Inspected by	Guidelines used
Lane Cove Heritage Study	1987		Robert Moore, Penelope Pike and Lester Tropman & Associates		No

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title
Written	Lenehan, M.F.	1987	'The Chatswood South Uniting Church'
Written	Moore, R., Pike, P. & Tropman & Associates	1979	Heritage Study of the Municipality of Lane Cove
Written	Rappoport P/L	2010	Statement of Heritage Impact - Proposed Modifications - Chatswood South Uniting Church
Written	Rappoport P/L	2010	South Chatswood Uniting Church - Conservation Management Plan

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:	5045420
File number:	10/12108; S90/03003 &89/0299

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