St Peter's Anglican Church Group

Item details


Name of item:	St Peter's Anglican Church Group
Other name/s:	St Peter's Church Group, Church, Rectory, Church Yard, Cemetery, Stables
Type of item:	Complex / Group
Group/Collection:	Religion
Category:	Church
Location:	Lat: -33.59397541 Long: 150.744195662
Primary address:	384 Windsor Street, Richmond, NSW 2753
Local govt. area:	Hawkesbury

Property description

Lot/Volume Code	Lot/Volume Number	Plan/Folio Code	Plan/Folio Number
PART LOT	1	DP	1024037
LOT	1	DP	1033136
LOT	1	DP	1033368
PART LOT	8	DP	238149
LOT	2	DP	547256

Boundary:

Not stated

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
384 Windsor Street	Richmond	Hawkesbury			Primary Address

Owner/s

Organisation Name	Owner Category	Date Ownership Updated
	Private

Statement of significance:


	St Peter's Anglican Church Group (Church, cemetery, School Hall and Rectory) is of state significance as a highly intact group of Victorian and Colonial Georgian church buildings in their landscape setting. The groups historical significance is amplified as it is a central element in Governor Macquarie' s town plan for Richmond, one of the five Maquarie Towns he laid out during his governorship. The church and its surrounding buildings and cemetery has been a landmark site since its establishment. Constructed between 1836 and 1841, the church is also historically significant, at a state level, as one of the first churches to make use of government funds for religious buildings made available under the then newly legislated 1836 Church Act. The cemetery is one of the earliest cemeteries in NSW in continuous use, with the first burial there dating back to 1809. The St Peter's Anglican Church Group is of state heritage significance for its association with Governor Macquarie who planned and personally selected the site of the town of Richmond with the chuch as an important element of the plan. St Peter's Church Group may be of state heritage significance for its association with Colonial Government Architect, Francis Clarke, noted colonial architect Edmund Blackett and with the first Bishop of the Church of England in Australia, Bishop Broughton who consecrated the church and had a hand in funding the works through the administration of the 1836 Church Act. The siting of the group of buidings and cemetery on the edge of the western escarpment overlooking the lowlands and with views to the Blue Mountains contributes to its aesthetic significance at a state level as it creates and is maintained as an important colonial landscape. The church in particular is a rare intact example of Colonial Georgian architectural expression in church design. Together the Church, Rectory and outbuildings, School Hall and cemetery creates a fine group of Georgian and Victorian buildings in a parkland setting. The St Peter's Anglican Church Group is a rare and representative example of a Colonial and Victorian Church group that retains its park like and semi rural setting. The church itself is a rare example of a Colonial Georgian church building in NSW. The group of church buildings and cemetery is of state heritage significance as they demonstrate the aesthetic tastes of Macquarie's time with the church buildings used as a dominant reference point for a village and surrounding countryside.
	Date significance updated: 20 Jul 20
	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:	Francis Clarke (church and rectory), Edmund Blacket (Rectory additions - 1863)
Builder/Maker:	James Atkinson (church)
Construction years:	1836-1841
Physical description:	SETTING The complex is located on the western edge of Richmond. The site falls away steeply to the west with buildings and burial ground on the higher level ground overlooking the surrounding lowlands. The site stretches over the north and south sides of Windsor Street and is bounded on the south side by Kurrajong Road. The church is on a prominent isolated site, high at the end of the ridge on which the town of Richmond had been positioned in 1810. It bears a strong relationship (in typical English fashion) between church, cemetery, rectory, stables and township. (last sentence: Read, Stuart, pers. comm, visit 27/11/2001) CHURCH: A Colonial Georgian style church three bays long with a parapeted tower with a metal spire at the west end and a gabled chancel at the east end. A gabled porch entry is centred on the north side of the church. The church has a simple gabled roof with wide boxed eaves. The gables form pediments at each end. The windows to the body of the church are arched multipane sashes with coloured glass sashes being installed to 5 of the windows in 1874. The tower has multipane square headed windows to the first and second floor. The walls are constructed in locally made bricks with a sandstone plinth, string courses and window sills. Openings are finished with tuckpointed brickwork to the arches and bays are defined by engaged pilasters. The pilasters to the chancel use a contrasting darker brick. Internally the church is plastered with polished cedar joinery. The walls are painted a soft blue grey. The ceiling was replaced with plasterboard in 1964.The semi-circular headed windows are small paned; the pews and gallery are of cedar. The porch was added in 1850 and a crying room in 1988. THE RECTORY: 2 storey Victorian Rustic Gothic style house built with locally made bricks. The roof has intersecting steeply pitched gables and two brick chimneys, now rendered. A dormer window is located on the north elevation. The original roofing has been replaced with concrete tiles. The south and west walls have been rendered. A rear kitchen wing has been added. The original gabled entry porch has been replaced with a verandah on the north side of the east wing. Original venetian sash windows survive to the north and south walls of the west wing, most others have been replaced, altering the gothic proportions of the house. Internally the house is austere in detail. The original geometric stair survives as do chimney pieces. SUNDAY SCHOOL(Hall): A simple gabled hall with some Victorian Rustic Gothic detailing to the windows and porch of the south elevation. The walls are brick, the roof is corrugated steel and trimmed with plain bargeboards and simple finils. A gabled entry porch is centred on the north side of the hall. The main hall runs north south and is divided into 4 bays. The windows all have arches of contrasting tuck pointed brickwork. A rear addition exists with a low pitched gable roof. Internally the hall has its original floor of wide timber boards, painted brick walls, exposed king post trusses and boarded timber ceiling. The original fire place in the east wall survives. CEMETERY: A large churchyard enclosed by a hedge and post and rail fence on one side and by bordering trees. There are no trees within the site, It adjoins St Peter's Church across Windsor Street, its central path leading to the church door. Cemetery and church occupy a magnificent site along the top of the terrace overlooking the Richmond Bottoms. The older headstones are closer to the terrace edge although modern graves have been mixed sympathetically with them. The comerery is quite densly developed with some large monuments and statuary of the Victorian period, their vertical nature emphasised by their massing. A number of headstones are badly eroded, inscriptions unreadable and some have fallen. Dominated by the spire of St Peter's to the south, the site is very tranquil and rural in character. (Howard Tanner & Associates) COACH HOUSE AND STABLES are located to the south of the rectory and on axis with the entry hall and stair of the rectory. It is a simple gabled brick building. The roof is corrugated steel. The lower rooms have few windows. The doors and louvered openings were reconstructed in 1992. There is evidence of lathe and plaster ceilings to the ground floor rooms. The floors are brick flagged. The loft also has evidence of lathe and plaster ceilings. A skillion has been added to the east side. The site has archaeological potential PLANTINGS: The Churchyard contains a number of mature plantings, including the following trees: pepper tree (Schinus areira); black locust/ false acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia); orchid tree (Bauhinia speciosa); Jacaranda mimosifolia; silky oaks (Grevillea robusta); southern nettle trees (Celtis australis); privets (Ligustrum spp.); white cedars (Melia azederach var.australasica); trident maple (Acer buergerianum); camphor laurels (Cinnamomum camphora); oaks (Quercus spp.); English elm (Ulmus procera); golden Monterey cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa 'Aurea'); Chinese juniper (Juniperus chinensis)(a 10m tall hedge of this species near the main road); tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima); Mediterranean cypress (Cupressus sempervirens); Chinese elm (Ulmus chinensis); and a long-needled pine species (Pinus sp., possibly P.roxburghii/ P.canariensis). and including the following shrubs: Syrian hibiscus, (H.syriacus); sky flower (Duranta plumieri); Cape plumbago (P.capensis); laurustinus (Viburnum tinus). (Stuart Read, pers. comm., visit 27/11/2001)
Modifications and dates:	1849 A barrel organ was installed 1850 The porch designed by E Blacket was added 1856 The chancel was added and the internal layout of the pews were changed to face the chancel 1866 A portion of the church lighting was changed from candles to kerosene 1874 The plain glass window in the nave was changed to stained glass to give it a more dignified appearance 1891 The stone based iron railing and gates were installed 1956 The spire was demolished by a storm and subsequently rebuilt 1964 The original lathe and plaster ceiling was replaced after it failed due to water damage 1971 The spire was again repaired after storm damage to the sheet metal 1970s Burial ground extended to include land on the north side of the former Sunday School 1988 A crying room was created within the interior of the church beneath the gallery. Other modifications have included the cement rendering of the southern wall Proudfoot says the porch on northern side and chancel were added 1870s and a panelled gallery was built
Further information:	The place should be conserved and continue to be used for the work of St Peter's Anglican church


Current use:	Place of worship, church functions, burial ground, Sunday School purposes, cleri
Former use:	Place of worship, church functions, burial ground, Sunday School purposes, cleri

History

Historical notes:

The site of St Peter's church was nominated in Governor Lachlan Macquarie's planned layout for Richmond. He intended to have the church, schoolhouse and burial ground on a very beautiful elevated block immediately above Pugh's Lagoon, a fine basin of fresh water. The burial ground, then 1 hectare, was surveyed by James Meehan and consecrated by the Rev Samuel Marsden and fenced by William Cox. The first burial was George Rouse and contains the headstones of many early Hawkesbury settlers The first school/church opened in 1810. It played an important part in the early life of Richmond. It was situated in Francis Street near the northern corner of the cemetery. The lower floor was the residence of the schoolmaster whilst the upper room was used for school and church purposes.

This building soon became too small to meet the ever increasing congregation and at a meeting chaired by the Reverend Samuel Marsden on 26 November 1835 the inhabitants of Richmond resolved to erect a church for the celebration of divine worship. A notice calling for tenders to erect the church appeared in The Australian on 18 October 1836. The committee formed to forward the project included Mr Cox, Sen,"Fairfield', Mr Cox, Jnr 'Hobartville', Mr Bell, 'Belmont', Mr George Bowman, Mr William Bowman. Mr. Faithful, Rev H.T.Styles, Mr Martin, Snr., Mr. G Palmer, Mr. Digit, Mr C Powell, Mr Parnell and Mr CP Wood. By 1833 the sum of 570 pounds had been subscribed and 200 pounds had been donated by the English Church Society. Tenders were called for the erection of the church in 'The Australian' on October 1836.

Built as a result of the establishment of the Church Act of 1840 St Peter's church was one of four churches consecrated in 1841. The church was built on a site overlooking Ham Common and the Hawkesbury River flats. It was agreed 162 hectares of the common would be given as Glebe land for the church. It was opened by Bishop Broughton on 15 July and designed by Francis Clark and built by James Atkinson who also built St Bartholomew's, Prospect and St Thomas, Mulgoa at the same time. It was designed in the Georgian style in contrast to most of the other churches, except St Batholomew's, which have Gothic style detailing. Clarke was responsible for a number of Sydney houses and the church of St Mary Magdalene at St Marys. A simple rectangular building with a square tower topped with a timber spire the original layout of the pews was to face inwards to the centre of the church. In 1850 a porch designed by E Blacket was added to the northern side and not long after, in 1857, a chancel was added. Once the chancel had been added the internal pew layout was altered to face the chancel. William Woolls, a prominent late nineteenth century writer on the botany and flora of Australia was incumbent at St Peter's from 1873 and from 1877 to 1883, Rural Dean of Richmond. .
In the churchyard a small obelisk was built of bricks from the old school church building.

THE CEMETERY is older than the church and contains the graves of many early pioneers including John Bowman, Thomas Matcham Pitt and Lt Thomas Hobby of the NSW Corps. Chief Officer at Hawkesbury in 1800 and a supporter of Maquarie. It was the second cemetery dedicated in the Hawkesbury district, around 1814, four years after St Matthews.

THE RECTORY was designed by Francis Clarke and completed in 1847 and is said to have been a copy of an English rectory known to Bishop Broughton in the mid 19th century vogue for picturesque rectories. It was added to in 1863 by Edmund Blacket. Later alterations have changed its quality.

The term 'villa' was first used in England in the 17th century, partly from the Latin and Italian 'country house, farm', perhaps derived from the stem of vicus (village). The villa was a country mansion or residence, together with a farm, farm-buildings, or other house attached, built or occupied by a person of some position and wealth. It was taken to include a country seat or estate and later a residence in the country or in the neighbourhood of a town, usually standing in its own grounds. From this is was appropriated by the middleof the 18th century to mean a residence of a superior type, in the suburbs of a town or in a residential district, such as that occupied by a person of the middle class, and also a small, better-class dwelling house, usually detached or semi-detached. The term 'villa garden' was used in the context of Hobart and Sydney residences in the 1830s, and if near the coast or harbour, the appellation 'marine villa' was often applied. Australian origins probably date from the grant conditions applied to Sydney's Woolloomooloo Hill (1827, under Governor Darling), which obligated the construction of villas fulfilling certain conditions... 'with garden like domain, and external offices for stables and domestic economy' (John Buonarotti Papworth, 1825, quoted in James Broadbent's 1997 book, 'The Australian Colonial House'). Many gardens of 19th century villas followed Gardenesque conventions, with garden ornaments often complementing the architecture of the house. The term had acquired such widespread usage by the 1850s that when Jane Loudon issued a new editiion of her husband (John Claudius Loudon)'s 'Suburban Gardener and Villa Companion' (1838) she merely entitled the revised work 'The Villa Gardener' (1850). This coincided with a growing period of suburbanisation in Australia with consequent fostering of the nursery trade... By the 1880s, descriptions of Australian villas implied sufficient room for a lawn on two or three fronts of the residence...(Aitken, 2002, 619-20).

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	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	Creating environments evocative of the 'old country'-
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 countryside of rural charm-
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 demonstrating styles in landscape design-
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	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-
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.	Landscaping - colonial period-
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.	Interior design styles and periods - Victorian-
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 - Gothic Revival-
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	Religion-Activities associated with particular systems of faith and worship	Cemetery-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Religion-Activities associated with particular systems of faith and worship	church hall-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria a) [Historical significance]	St Peter's Anglican Church Group is of historic significance as a central element in plan for Richmond, one of the five towns on the Cumberland Plain laid out by Governor Macquarie during his term as Governor of NSW. It is of significance at a state level for its ability to demonstrate the continuous development and use of the site by the Anglican Church and the church's importance to the young colony. It is also historically significant to NSW as it was one of the first churches to make use of the government funds for religious buildings after the introduction of the 1836 Church Act.
SHR Criteria b) [Associative significance]	The church group has state heritage significance for its association with Governor Lachlan Macquarie who laid out the town of Richmond with the church as focal element in the town design. It also has state heritage significance for its association with Colonial Government Architect Francis Clarke, with noted colonial architect Edmund Blackett and with the first Bishop of the Church of England in Australia, Bishop Broughton. Bishop Broughton who consecrated the church.
SHR Criteria c) [Aesthetic significance]	St Peters Church Group is of state level aesthetic significance as a highly intact group of Victorian and Colonial Georgian church buildings in its remnant colonial landscape setting. The church in particular is a rare and intact example of Colonial Georgian architectural expression in church design. The siting of the group of buildings and cemetery overlooking the lowlands to the river and with views to the blue mountains are aesthetically distinctive and comprise a landmark entry and exit to and from the west to Richmond. . The group of church buildings and cemetery is of state heritage significance as they demonstrate the aesthetic tastes of Macquarie's time with the church buildings used as a dominant reference point for a village and surrounding countryside.
SHR Criteria d) [Social significance]	The St Peter's church group has been and continues to be associated with the Richmond Anglican community since 1810. St Peter's CHURCH has been and continues to be the spiritual focus of the local Anglican community since its consecration in 1841. The BURIAL GROUND has been in continuous use since 1809 and has strong associations with members of the local community. The SUNDAY SCHOOL has social significance for the local community for its earlier use as a school and more recently for community groups. (Hubert)
SHR Criteria e) [Research potential]	St Peter's BURIAL GROUND has been in continuous use since 1809 when George Rouse was buried on the site. As a burial ground for many of Richmond's pioneers it is the starting place for much information about many or Richmond's early settlers and later citizens. The CHURCH retains many of its earlier records including baptismal, marriage and burial registers, minute and account books etc which provide extensive information about the development of the town, its people and the church group itself. (Hubert)
SHR Criteria f) [Rarity]	St Peters Anglican Church Group is a rare example of a Colonial and Victorian Church group that retains its parklike and semi-rural setting. The church is a rare example of a Colonial Georgian church building in NSW.
SHR Criteria g) [Representativeness]	The St Peters Anglican Church Group has representative values at a state level as it is a fine example of a group of Colonial and Victorian Church group in its landscape setting. The group demonstrates the principle characteristics of a group of Colonial and Victorian church buildings and is distinguished as one of the five church building groups set out as a focal point to Macquarie's five colonial towns in the early colonial period.
Integrity/Intactness:	It is thought that the church roof over the nave, prior to the construction of the chancel and porch, was hipped with the eastern extremity altering to a pediment gable, when the chancel was added. The original slate roof has now been replaced along with other roof repairs. The remaining structural fabric is extant, however the internal pen configuration, ceiling fabric and some windows have been altered and/or replaced. Although it has lost its original kitchen wing, the main part of the rectory survives, together with the associated coach house and stables and privy.
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:


	List on SHR, limited adjoining development, conservation of the group. List on SHR. Ensure relationship with Hobartville is managed. Maintain agricultural uses in lowlands. List on LEP (Morris & Britton, 2000).

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
CMP-Comment	Conservation Plan submitted for comment	St Peters Anglican Church, Windsor Street, Richmond CMP, prepared for St Peters Church by Paul Davies Pty Ltd., dated March 2004.	CMP accepted as a mutually agreed management document for a period of five years from 27 February 2006	Feb 27 2006
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		02028	16 Aug 19	90	3191
Heritage Act - Icons Project Nomination for SHR listing			14 Jul 04
Heritage Act - s.130 Order	Hawkesbury 1981 s.130 order
Local Environmental Plan	St Peters Anglican Church & Rectory		18 Dec 89
National Trust of Australia register	St Peters Anglican Church & Cemetery	9954
National Trust of Australia register	St Peters Anglican Church Hall	9955
National Trust of Australia register	St Peters Anglican Church Rectory	9958
National Trust of Australia register	St Peters Anglican Cemetery	4234
Register of the National Estate	St Peter's Anglican Church Group	3183-5	21 Mar 78

Study details

Title	Year	Number	Author	Inspected by	Guidelines used
Colonial Landscapes of the Cumberland Plain and Camden, NSW	2000	4.7	Morris, C., & Britton, G./NSW National Trust (for the Heritage Council of NSW)	Colleen Morris and Geoffrey Britton	Yes

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title	Internet Links
Written	Aitken, Richard	2002	'Villa Garden' (entry)	View detail
Written	Graham Edds & Associates	1988	Architectural Analysis of St. Peter's Anglican Church, Richmond
Written	Morris, Colleen; and Britton, Geoffrey	2000	4.7: St. Peter's group, Richmond and Cornwallis / Richmond Lowlands	View detail
Written	Paul Davies Pty Ltd	2004	St Peter's Anglican Church Windsor Street, Richmond : Conservation Management plan
Written	State of New South Wales	2019	Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales Number 90	View detail

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:	5050997
File number:	S91/01168, H04/00091/8 (ICONS)

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