Scots Presbyterian Church, Land and Trees

Item details


Name of item:	Scots Presbyterian Church, Land and Trees
Other name/s:	Kiama Uniting Church
Type of item:	Complex / Group
Group/Collection:	Religion
Category:	Church
Location:	Lat: -34.6703814564 Long: 150.8551240870
Primary address:	Shoalhaven Street, Kiama, NSW 2533
Parish:	Kiama
County:	Camden
Local govt. area:	Kiama
Local Aboriginal Land Council:	Illawarra

Property description

Lot/Volume Code	Lot/Volume Number	Section Number	Plan/Folio Code	Plan/Folio Number
LOT	5		DP	114668

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
Shoalhaven Street	Kiama	Kiama	Kiama	Camden	Primary Address
Terralong Street	Kiama	Kiama	Kiama	Camden	Alternate Address

Owner/s

Organisation Name	Owner Category	Date Ownership Updated
Scots Presbyterian Church Kiama	Religious Organisation	19 Mar 99

Statement of significance:


	It occupies a highly visible aspect in the Kiama Central Business District. It is a major component in the streetscape and is an unmodified example of the 19 Neo Gothic style of its architect / designer using local materials and featuring pleasing proportions in a location of significance and impact. (Harmer 1998)
	Date significance updated: 03 Jul 98
	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
Builder/Maker:	Messrs Moon & Simmons - Builders Messing Walker Bros - Carpenters
Construction years:	1860-1863
Physical description:	Setting: Surrounding land and Norfolk Island pines (Araucaria heterophylla). Fine example of a Gothic Revival church adapted to a rural seaside setting. Has two porches, a steeply-gabled slate roof and is capped by the square tower with its stone spire (Latona Masterman, 1987, 94). A simple rectangular plan-form, the church is entered by two gabled porches, the whole covered by a slate-clad hammer-beam roof and complemented by the eccentrically placed square-based tower with its broad stone spire (now rendered), this latter feature was completed in 1898. The rough-dressed sandstone walls of the Church, built up on coursed basalt rubble foundations are enlivened by dressed quoins, parapets, buttresses and reveals to the building's lancet-form openings. Internal finishes comprise stone flagging, painted plastered walls with later sedar panelling (1953) and painted timber ceiling, complemented by fine cedar pews arranged in three banks. The geometric east windows contain noted examples of painted pictorial glass, installed in 1897. The manual pipe organ by Waller and Sonsi s an original example of the work of Charles Richardson (1907) and was donated to the Church in 1907, the year of construction of the Sunday School Hall, a simple gable-roofed rendered masonry structure located to the north of the Church. The building is constructed of basalt freestone walls faced externally with sandstone blocks including buttresses. The interior of the solid walls being plastered and lined to assemble block work. The roof is board lined internally and externally covered in Welsh Penryn Slates supported with hammer beam trusses supported on stone corbels (Harmer 1998).
Physical condition and/or Archaeological potential:	Physical condition is good and archaeological potential is high. (Harmer 1998)
	Date condition updated:03 Jul 98
Modifications and dates:	Building opened without spire or vestry on 4th March 1863 1896 building completed to original plan by the addition of a vestry 1898 bell tower spire added, completing original plan. These two additions being substantially financed through funds obtained by the railway resuming approximately half the Church land and effectively bisecting the property. Stained glass windows were also installed at this time (Harmer 1998)


Current use:	Church
Former use:	Aboriginal land, farm, church

History

Historical notes:

Kiama means 'good fishing ground' to the local Aboriginal people (Thorpe, 1940).

District history:
The first recorded reference to the district was by George Bass who anchored his 28ft whale boat in the sheltered bay (now known as Kiama Harbour) in December 1797. Cedar getters were the first to the area, among those was David Smith, who became the first permanent white settler when he built a residence in Kiama in 1832 (Graham, 2016, 6).

District history:
The first recorded reference to the district was by George Bass who anchored his 28ft whale boat in the sheltered bay (now known as Kiama Harbour) in December 1797. Cedar (red cedar (Toona ciliata)(Stuart Read: observation) getters were the first to the area, among those was David Smith, who became the first permanent white settler when he built a residence in Kiama in 1832 (Graham, 2016, 6).

In the years following 1797 Black Beach provided the main landing place for the first cedar-cutters and settlers. Sailing boats would anchor in the relatively well-protected cove while colonists and supplies were rowed ashore by open boats. In the ensuing decades Kiama's thriving timber and dairy industries put great strain on the limited cargo and mooring facilities in the cove (Dillon, 1991).

The growth and development of Kiama began with cedar-cutting and was linked to the growth and development of the Colony as a whole. Sea transport became of major importance to the district as vessels under sail and later steam, crowded into the Robertson Basin to load timber, later wheat and dairy produce and eventually basalt for shipment to the Sydney markets (HCNSW, 1986, 8).

The sheltered cove at Kiama became the principal shipping port for the cut cedar. From the 1820s, six or more coastal trading ships would anchor at any one time awaiting their precious cargoes. The early port was described as a 'tolerable good boat harbour from which nine-tenths of the cedar brought to Sydney is shipped' (Dillon, 1991).

The site of Kiama township was reserved by the Government in 1826 and proclaimed in 1836. The township was first surveyed by Robert Hoddle in 1830 and again by Jacques in 1831, and its streets largely laid out around the c.1825 grant to the first settler and cedar getter, David Smith. Initially the town grew up around the road from the harbour to Jamberoo which travelled up the present-day Manning Street and Bong Bong Street but later a lower track through Pikes Hill (now Terralong Street) was cut. The cutting later became the site of a basalt quarry for which Kiama later became better-known (Graham, 2016, 6).

Following the cedar cutting came dairying, which quickly flourished into the staple industry of the region. So successful was this rural activity that a new breed of dairy cow, the Illawarra shorthorn, was developed on these productive pastures (ibid, 1991),

By 1848 the town had two inns, a post office, 2 stores, a church and 18 permanent houses. In 1849 a train linking hte quarry and harbour was built down along Terralong Street and a new jetty relocated to here (ibid, 2016, 6).

Kiama was proclaimed a Municipality in 1859.

Local petitions requesting a general upgrading of harbour facilities were presented to the Colonial Government as early as 1864. Thirteen years later the constructed basin and dockside were completed and named Robertson Basin in honour of the then Colonial Secretary. The upgrading of the harbour was timely as in subsequent years, with the export of newly-quarried basalt, there was a massive increase in coastal shipping. Horse-drawn drays were initially used to transport the stone from the quarry to the loading hoppers at the wharfside (ibid, 1991).

In the 1870s the dairying industry was supplemented by basalt (blue metal) quarrying, now one of the district's major income earners alongside tourism. The state's ever-expanding tram, road and rail network needed vast amounts of basalt, both crushed and in natural cube form (ibid, 1991).

Shortly after 1880 a new road running out of Bombo up over the hill was created to link the town centre and Terralong Street to the relocated jetty, main quarry site and the soon-to-be-opened railway station at Bombo. This road was to become known as Collins Street and became one of the town's main roads and its northern approach. The train came to Bombo in 1887 and in 1888 an extension to Kiama was started (ibid, 2016, 6).

Kiama became a tourist attraction very early in the course of its development and throughout the Victorian era served as a premier seaside holiday resort. The town's popularity was considerably enhanced when, in 1888, with the opening of the railway, it became more readily accessible from Sydney (HCNSW, 1986, 8).

Kiama Railway station opened in 1893 as part of the first completed stage of the Kiama to Jervis Bay Railway which terminated at Bomaderry (Nowra).

By 1914 the horse-drawn drays (transporting stone to the wharfside) system had been replaced by a steam locomotive tramway running along Terralong Street (Dillon, 1991).

Downtown (Collins Street) history:
Much of this land was bought by William Geoghagen. In 1867 when he bought his first parcel his occupation was given as wharfinger. He later built the terraces facing Collins Street and sold land to the Temperance Hall, now the Masonic Lodge. It is probable that he built No.5 Collins Lane in the 1880s as his home.

The oldest building of the group is the Masonic Temple (1870s).

No's 42-44 Collins Street was built in the late 1870s to house quarry workers. The terrace No.s 24-40 Collins Street was built in stages during the 1880s. No. 24 was originally an inn, with 26 the inn-keeper's residence; No.s 28-38 housed quarry workers, and No. 40 was originally a post office.

The stone crushing industry began in Kiama in 1871 and by 1880 the Bombo quarry (north of Kiama) was operating.

The Depression and World War II caused the decline and closure of most of the quarries (NTA (NSW) Precinct Classification card, 1984).

Scots Presbyterian Church history:
Moves to establish the Presbyterian Church in Kiama began at the house of early settler, David Smith in 1840. A wooden church of very modest size was used until completion of the current structure, in 1863 (Dillon, 1991).

This church is of early English architecture and was designed by Thomas Rowe of Sydney, a well-regarded architect of Sydney (ibid, 1991). Sandstone used in its construction was a gift from the Robb family on whose estate at Riversdale near the Minnamurra River it was quarried. Basalt for the foundations and inner walls came from Mr Carson's quarry in Kiama. Tenders for construction were called in December 1859, the foundation stone laid in January 1860. The building was completed early in 1863, without the present spire and vestry and the opening services took place on 4th March 1863. The minister at that time was the Rev. John Kinross. The opening was performed by the Rev. Dr William Grant of Shoalhaven, Moderator of the Eastern Synod of Australia. The sermon on that occasion was preached by the Rev. Dr Robert Steel of Sydney.

The Freer Church Presbyterians took 1700 pounds sterling and three years to build the structure (ibid, 1991). The total cost was 1991/7/1 and the debt on completion was 250 pounds. Messrs Moon and Simmons were the builders and Messrs Walker Bros, were the carpenters.

In 1893 the railway resumed a portion of the Church land and largely spoiled the setting. Deliberations took place as to the advisability of building a new Church on another site, but this step was finally decided against. In 1897 a move was begun to complete the Church by the addition of the vestry and the spire above the tower. This project was completed in 1898 (Harmer 1998). Dillon (1991) describes the 1898 addition as 'a steeple and a bell'.

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.	Cultural - Coasts and coastal features supporting human activities-
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	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 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	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Early land grants-
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 tourist-
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	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	19th century suburban developments-
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 regional settings-
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-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria a) [Historical significance]	Of its centrality in Kiama's development, buit in 1863 to replace on earlier wooden building on the foreshore of the adjacent block beach. (Harmer 1998)
SHR Criteria c) [Aesthetic significance]	It is an unaltored sample of early english gothic architecture as interpreted by its architect Norman Rowe. (Harmer 1998)
SHR Criteria d) [Social significance]	If its central location in Kiama and its continuous use as a place of worship. (Harmer 1998)
SHR Criteria e) [Research potential]	Of its wide varitety of building materials both local and imported and its employment of a variety of trades and craftsman in its construction. (Harmer 1998)
SHR Criteria f) [Rarity]	The item is a rare example of the architects work in a basically unaltared form ( the only other example known to this writer being St Stephen's Presbyterian Church, Bathurst). (Harmer 1998)
SHR Criteria g) [Representativeness]	The item is a good example of a new gothic influence transported into an Australian setting - is representative because of its simplification of this theme and its functionality in a regional setting in a community establishing ( in the 1860's ) buildin
Integrity/Intactness:	The integrity of the building is virtually complete as from effective completion in 1898, maintanance works have sought to retain materials or surfaces as close as practical to the original. (Harmer 1998)
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:


	Continual ongoing monitoring of material fabric of the building to maintain the functionality of its built purpose.

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	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 Title	Listing Number	Gazette Date	Gazette Number	Gazette Page
Heritage Act - State Heritage Register		00120	02 Apr 99	27	1546
Heritage Act - Permanent Conservation Order - former		00120	06 Apr 81	52	2017
State Environmental Planning Policy	Illawarra REP No.1		11 Apr 86
Local Environmental Plan			19 Jul 96
Register of the National Estate			25 Mar 86

Study details

Title	Year	Number	Author	Inspected by	Guidelines used
Ku-ring-gai Potential Heritage Conservation Areas North Review, 11/2010	2010		Paul Davies P/L		Yes

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title	Internet Links
Tourism			Scots Presbyterian Church - Organ	View detail
Written	Boyd, Gregory	1993	Kiama Uniting Church window restoration	View detail
Written	Dillon, Steve	1991	Kiama Walk (brochure)
Written	Heritage Council of NSW	1986	'Kiama's Heritage Precinct'
Written	J. Stiller	1984	Scots Presbyterian church organ
Written	Mr G.J. Harmer	1998	NSW State Heritage Inventory form
Written	Rev J. Cameron	1905	Centenary History of the Presbyterian Church in N.S.W.
Written	Rev J. Mullan and additions by Rev M. Mocleod	1963	History of the Presbyterian Church in the Kiama district.
Written	Rev. C.A.White	1951	Challenge of the years
Written	Thorpe, W.	1940	List of NSW Aboriginal place names and their meanings	View detail
Written	Various office bearers	1849	Minutes of Deacons court session and tender documents receipts etc in the possession of the church.

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:	5045566
File number:	S90/06026 & HC 32269

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