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Sydney Architecture
Images- Northern Suburbs St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church |
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architect
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John Sulman
and Power |
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location
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56 Raglan Street Manly |
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date
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1886-90 |
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style
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Federation Romanesque
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construction
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Sandstone |
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type
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Church |
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A striking composition with a landmark
tower exploiting the round arch motif.
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St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church
Just up the hill in Raglan Street, Manly NSW
History
History of original church building
For over 100 years, St Andrew’s has been a significant landmark in the
Manly area. Construction of St Andrew’s commenced in 1886 and was
completed in 1890. Built from local white sandstone, this beautiful
Church, with its stately bell tower, rich outlines, guarded by strange
sentinel gargoyles, continues to attract visitors from Australia and
overseas. The exterior of the Church exhibits a profusion of intricately
carved sandstone decorations on column capitals, arches and piers. The
medieval architecture is unusual and is undoubtedly one of the finest
examples of Romanesque revival architecture in Australia. The Romanesque
Revival Style with Celtic influence is rarely found in Australia, yet St
Andrew’s exhibits all the hallmarks of this unique architectural design.
The Romanesque era dates from the late 10th Century until the 12th and
13th centuries, a mysterious time in church architecture. The style
features rounded apses, fanciful carved beasts, bell towers, heavy
walls, small windows and the use of open timber ceiling. It developed
from earlier medieval architecture that prevailed in Western and
Southern Europe.
The original front section of St Andrew’s is entered in the Register of
National Estate and is classified by the National Trust of Australia
(NSW), and stands as an example of architectural excellence. For this
reason it provides the community both locally and at large with a
paradigm representing their aspirations. The church is also listed on
Manly Council’s Local Environment Plan as a building of heritage
significance.
Designer and extension
The Church was designed by Sir John Sulman, one of Australia’s most
eminent architects of the post-Colonial era. Commissioned to design St
Andrew’s in 1885, Sulman went on to become Chairman of the Federal
Capital Advisory Committee from 1921 to 1925 and is credited for much of
the town planning success of Canberra.
The Church was extended in 1961. In building the extensions, the modern
craftsmen managed to reproduce almost perfectly the beautiful, original
interior work.
Today, the church continues to serve the Sydney community both in terms
of the activities of its congregation, and as a popular venue for
weddings and baptisms.
Organ
With its warm woodwork and imposing pipes, the organ was originally
built
in 1898 and installed at St Nicholas’ Congregational Church, Ipswich,
England. It was brought to Australia and restored by the St Andrew’s
congregation in 1977.
Recent Repairs
In 2004 work began on repairing and strengthening the bell tower.
Financial assistance was received from the Federal Government to
complete this vital task. The repairs were done by Jasper Swan.
Over 100 years of wind blown sand and salt had taken its toll on this
landmark of Manly. The work was completed early 2005 and a Thanksgiving
Service was held to give thanks to God for the repair work, the skill of
the craftsmen and the fact that the work was completed withour any
injuries.
The next challenge facing St. Andrew’s is the re-roofing of the Church
Hall.
The Present and The Future
St Andrew’s is rising to the challenge of the new century. Unlike some
parishes, St Andrew’s celebrates traditional worship services every
Sunday,
which have been a feature of traditional churches for generations.
But this does not mean that St. Andrew’s is not moving with the times.
Many innovations in worship are welcomed by the whole congregation. Care
is always taken to ensure that worship does not denigrate into
entertainment for those attending, but remains what it always has been -
a sacrifice of praise to God.
St. Andrew’s recognises that this can be achieved through a mixture of
traditional hymns, psalms as well as new hymns and meaningful choruses.
Our choir, under the direction of our Music Director Mr Brendon Lukin,
is constantly rising to new heights as its members make their valued
contribution to the musical element of worship.
The talents of our younger members are also used regularly in Sunday
Worship.
We are constantly adding new features to the life of our church to meet
the
challenges of today and tomorrow.
Books About St Andrew’s
* The First Hundred Years 1884-1984 (St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church
Manly)
* The Windows Speak (St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church Manly)
Contact Details
Church Address
56 Raglan St. Manly (cnr Augusta Lane)
Minister
Derek Bullen
(02) 9976 2801
Session Clerk
Dr. John Begg
(02) 9949 2046
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links
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