Pitt Street Uniting Church

Item details


Name of item:	Pitt Street Uniting Church
Other name/s:	Pitt Street Congregational Church
Type of item:	Built
Group/Collection:	Religion
Category:	Church
Location:	Lat: -33.8735435415 Long: 151.2084051980
Primary address:	264 Pitt Street, Sydney, NSW 2000
Parish:	St Lawrence
County:	Cumberland
Local govt. area:	Sydney
Local Aboriginal Land Council:	Metropolitan

Property description

Lot/Volume Code	Lot/Volume Number	Section Number	Plan/Folio Code	Plan/Folio Number
LOT	1		DP	80969

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
264 Pitt Street	Sydney	Sydney	St Lawrence	Cumberland	Primary Address
264A Pitt Street	Sydney	Sydney	St Lawrence	Cumberland	Alternate Address

Owner/s

Organisation Name	Owner Category	Date Ownership Updated
Uniting Church in Australia, The	Religious Organisation	03 May 99

Statement of significance:


	The Pitt Street Uniting Church has had a significant role in the development of the social and religious life of Australia. It has always represented a pioneering and socially aware face to the community. It architectural design is significant as arguably the finest example of Neo Classicism in Australia. It is a fine example of notable architect John Bibb's work. It was the first Independant Church in Australia. It has associations with notable local figures, including David Jones and James Fairfax.
	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:	John Bibb (original church); GA Mansfield 1867 extension, front facade remodelling)
Construction years:	1841-1846
Physical description:	The exterior of the church is a fine example of the late Georgian Classical design. Standing two storeys high, the sandstone facade to Pitt Street is symmetrical, with monumental ionic columns supporting a ballustraded parapet. Columns flank the pedimented windows and central door on the ground floor with windows lighting the galleries above. Access to the building is via a shallow flight of stairs and narrow podium. The remaining walls are of brick. Galleries supported on cast iron fluted columns, run around the interior walls. The central pulpit and platform are approached by twin cast iron railed stairs. All the fittings are of local cedar (National Trust of Australia (NSW), 1977). Bibb's studied classicism of design showed itself very clearly in the Congregational Church in Pitt Street, a building which admirably still serves its original purpose...It has an interior unusual for Australia, with two galleries taht run aruond three sides of the 'nave', making the building virtually three stories high. The result is more of a 'meeting house' than the usual church, and is very effective. The pulpit is approached by a winding stair, itself a fine piece of design, set in the heavily-panelled elliptical end of the church. The joinery is of (red) cedar, in excellent preservation, and the internal walls are decorated with delicately modelled Corinthian pliasters and entablatures. The simplicity of the Colonial column was indeed passing away if the flowery capitals of the Corinthian order were being used as ornament applied to walls. Even the forteen iron columns supporting the galleries are 'fluted Ionics, cast by Dawson of Sydney'. The exterior elevation shows how far architectural thought was now breaking with earlier ideas. The Colonial facade was composed of structural elements, beautifully proportioned, finely detailed, but all essential. At the Congregational Church the whole design is a composition of non-functional elements arbitrarily applied in the best pedantic late-Georgian English manner. The execution of the design and the craftsmanship are excellent, but the building is not an example of Colonial architecture: it is one of the first examples of the new architectural movement that was expressing Australia's changed status (Herman, 216, 217). The Church took its present form in 1867 after extensive remodelling by architect George Allen Mansfield. This included the extension of the sandstone facade and the enlargement of the original iron pallisade fence as well as significant changes to the interior. (Stapleton 1983), adding two Ionic columns (NTA (NSW), 1977). Memorials in the church include those of prominent shopkeepers including David Jones and James Fairfax, proprietor of the 'Sydney Morning Herald' (NTA (NSW), 1977).
Modifications and dates:	1857 - organ gallery and vestries added 1867 - new central pulpit and platform installed. Architect G.A. Mansfield added c.25' to north side and remodelled the front facade in this same year.


Current use:	Church
Former use:	Aboriginal land, church

History

Historical notes:

The "Eora people" was the name given to the coastal Aborigines around Sydney. Central Sydney is therefore often referred to as "Eora Country". Within the City of Sydney local government area, the traditional owners are the Cadigal and Wangal bands of the Eora. There is no written record of the name of the language spoken and currently there are debates as whether the coastal peoples spoke a separate language "Eora" or whether this was actually a dialect of the Dharug language. Remnant bushland in places like Blackwattle Bay retain elements of traditional plant, bird and animal life, including fish and rock oysters.

With the invasion of the Sydney region, the Cadigal and Wangal people were decimated but there are descendants still living in Sydney today. All cities include many immigrants in their population. Aboriginal people from across the state have been attracted to suburbs such as Pyrmont, Balmain, Rozelle, Glebe and Redfern since the 1930s. Changes in government legislation in the 1960s provided freedom of movement enabling more Aboriginal people to choose to live in Sydney (sourced from Anita Heiss, "Aboriginal People and Place", Barani: Indigenous History of Sydney City http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/barani ).

Pitt Street Congregational Church:
The original church was designed by John Bibb and built on the southern half of the present site between 1841 and 1846 (Laurie and Heath 1971). Prior to its construction, the Congregationalists of colonial Sydney met in a building called the Independant Chapel, located on the western side of Pitt Street between Market and Park Street. This was opened as a place of public worship in 1833, but the rapidly growing congregation soon neccessitated the erection of a larger building. The foundation stone was laid in 1841, but economic recession meant it wasn't completed until 1846. (Stapleton 1983).

The foundation stnoe was laid on 26 January 1841 but because of the financial slump the building was not finished until 1846. It cost 6000 pounds. The organ gallery and vestries were added by Bibb in 1857 (NTA (NSW), 1977).

Bibb, John Verge's old pupil, was at work in his own right. In 1839 he commenced the Union Bank, inevitably in Pitt Street, that paradise of architects in the (eighteen) forties. The bank, long since disappeared, stood on the south-east corner of the Hunter Street crossing, and was a good, cleanly-designed building, in which columns were attached to the wall in the conventional, decorative way (Herman, 216).

Bibb's studied classicism of design showed itself very clearly in the Congregational Church in Pitt Street, a building which admirably still serves its original purpose...It has an interior unusual for Australia, with two galleries taht run aruond three sides of the 'nave', making the building virtually three stories high. The result is more of a 'meeting house' than the usual church, and is very effective. The pulpit is approached by a winding stair, itself a fine piece of design, set in the heavily-panelled elliptical end of the church. The joinery is of (red) cedar, in excellent preservation, and the internal walls are decorated with delicately modelled Corinthian pliasters and entablatures. The simplicity of the Colonial column was indeed passing away if the flowery capitals of the Corinthian order were being used as ornament applied to walls. Even the forteen iron columns supporting the galleries are 'fluted Ionics, cast by Dawson of Sydney'. The exterior elevation shows how far architectural thought was now breaking with earlier ideas. The Colonial facade was composed of structural elements, beautifully proportioned, finely detailed, but all essential. At the Congregational Church the whole design is a composition of non-functional elements arbitrarily applied in the best pedantic late-Georgian English manner. The execution of the design and the craftsmanship are excellent, but the building is not an example of Colonial architecture: it is one of the first examples of the new architectural movement that was expressing Australia's changed status (Herman, 216, 217).

The Church took its present form in 1867 after extensive remodelling by architect George Allen Mansfield. This included the extension of the sandstone facade and the enlargement of the original iron pallisade fence as well as significant changes to the interior. (Stapleton 1983), adding two Ionic columns (NTA (NSW), 1977).

Memorials in the church include those of prominent shopkeepers including David Jones and James Fairfax, proprietor of the 'Sydney Morning Herald' (NTA (NSW), 1977).

There have been several attempts to demolish the building. Restoration work was carried out in the early 1980s with a grant from the Heritage Council of New South Wales and again in 1989 and 1996.

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.	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	Developing local, regional and national economies-National Theme 3
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	Significant Places How are significant places marked in the landscape by, or for, different groups-Monuments and Sites
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	(none)-
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	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Macquarie's town layout-
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	Early Sydney Street-
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 urban settings-
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.	Architectural styles and periods - Victorian Georgian Revival-
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	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.	Architectural styles and periods - Victorian Academic Classical-
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.	Architectural styles and periods - Georgian Revival-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation	Visiting heritage places-
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	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 Presbyterianism-
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-
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-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with George Allen Mansfield, 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 Bibb, architect-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria a) [Historical significance]	The Church was originally designed by John Bibb, who is well kown for his association with the design of Elizabeth Bay House, Camden House, the Sydney Infermary, The Mariner's Church for Seamen and St James Grammar School. (Laurie and Heath 1971) Memorials to notable figures including David Jones and James Fairfax can be found within the Church (Page 1977). The Pitt Street Church is known as the Mother Church of Congregationalism in mainland Australia. It was the first Independant Church in Australia. The Church was strongly involved in local issues and supported the social and liberal traditions of the nineteenth century. It was responsible for setting up one of the first city missions. (Lucas 1978)
SHR Criteria c) [Aesthetic significance]	The monumental Neo Classic design is the best of its kind in Australia (National Trust 1977; Lucas 1988). The organ within the church is the most substantial and significant organ from the Edwardian decade, surviving in New South Wales. Apart from the instrument in the Sydney Town Hall, this is the only Hill and Son organ with tubular-pneumatic action surviving in Australia. (Stiller 1983)
Assessment criteria:	Items are assessed against the State Heritage Register (SHR) Criteria to determine the level of significance. Refer to the Listings below for the level of statutory protection.

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	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. Refer to standard exemptions gazetted 23 October 1998. Order Under Section 57(2) to exempt the following activities from Section 57(1): a): The maintenance of any item (buildings, works, relics or places) the site where maintenance means the continuous protective care of existing fabric. B) Minor repairs where minor repair means the repair of materials and includes replacements of minor components such as individual bricks where these have been damaged beyond reasonable repair or are missing. Replacement should be of the same materials, colour, texture, form and design as the original it replaces.	Jan 11 2002
57(2)	Exemption to allow work	Standard Exemptions	ORDER UNDER SECTION 57(2) OF THE HERITAGE ACT 1977 Standard exemptions for engaging in or carrying out activities / works otherwise prohibited by section 57(1) of the Heritage Act 1977. I, the Hon James Griffin MP, Minister for Environment and Heritage, pursuant to subsection 57(2) of the Heritage Act 1977, on the recommendation of the Heritage Council of New South Wales do by this Order, effective at the time of publication in the New South Wales Government Gazette: 1. revoke the order made on 9 November 2020 and published in the Government Gazette Number 318 of 13 November 2020; and 2. grant the exemptions from subsection 57(1) of the Heritage Act 1977 that are described in the attached Schedule. The Hon James Griffin MP Minister for Environment and Heritage Signed this 2nd day of June 2022. To view the standard exemptions for engaging in or carrying out activities / works otherwise prohibited by section 57(1) of the Heritage Act 1977 click on the link below.	Jun 17 2022

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 Title	Listing Number	Gazette Date	Gazette Number	Gazette Page
Heritage Act - State Heritage Register		00022	02 Apr 99	27	1546
Heritage Act - Permanent Conservation Order - former		00022	14 Dec 79	178	6349
Local Environmental Plan	CSH Local Environmental Plan 4		07 Apr 00
Register of the National Estate			21 Oct 80

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title
Written	Fowles, Joseph	1848	Sydney in 1848
Written	Freeland, J.M.		History of Australian Architecture
Written	Herman, Morton		Early Colonial Architecture
Written	John Stiller	1983	Detailed Documentation of Pipe Organ Built by W.Hill and Son 1910
Written	Laurie and Heath Pty. Ltd.	1971	'Historical Appreciation: Pitt Street Congregational Church' in McConnell et. al. (1988), Conservation Report: Pitt Street Uniting Church volume II
Written	Lucas, Clive	1978	'Architectural Statement' in McConnel, Smith and Johnson Pty Ltd (1988), Conservation Report: Pitt Street Uniting Church volume II
Written	Lucas, Clive and Peters, .	1978	Report to Heritage Council (of NSW)
Written	McConnel, Smith and Johnson Pty Ltd	1988	Conservation Report: Pitt Street Uniting Church
Written	Stapleton, Ian; Lucas, Clive	1983	'Notes on the History of the Pitt Street Church Buildings' in McConnell et. al. (1988), Conservation Report: Pitt Street Uniting Church volume II
Written	T. Hyde Page	1977	Pitt Street Congregational Church: National Trust Listing Card

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

(Click on thumbnail for full size image and image details)

Data source


The information for this entry comes from the following source:
Name:	Heritage NSW
Database number:	5045476
File number:	S90/06150 & HC 32124

Every effort has been made to ensure that information contained in the State Heritage Inventory is correct. If you find any errors or omissions please send your comments to the Database Manager.

All information and pictures on this page are the copyright of Heritage NSW or respective copyright owners.