Christ Church

STYLE: Victorian Rustic Gothic
ARCHITECTS : Albert Bond (1877) Cyril and Arthur Blackett, sons of Edmund Blackett (1885)
BUILDERS:  Peter Hall and Mr Albury (1877), John Morrison (1881-1885)

Anglican services began in Gladesville in the 1867 Protestant Hall, erected by the Royal Orange Lodge but shared by several denominations. This hall was purchased by Christ Church in 1935, demolished during road widening and its function replaced by Jordan Hall (Item 4). In 1988 a new hall, now used as a pre-school, was built on the original footprint.

In 1877 land for Christ Church was purchased from Mrs Coulter. Peter Hall was engaged as the stonemason and Mr Albury as the carpenter at a cost of £1,742. The eastern leadlight window is by Lyon and Cottier and was installed in 1885, other leadlight windows were designed by Falconer & Ashwin, a Sydney firm who are strongly represented in NSW churches. The first service was held on 17 November 1878 by the Dean of Sydney, the Very Reverend William Macquarie Cowper. Archdeacon King was appointed rector and was succeeded by Reverend William Lumsdaine in 1881. Lumsdaine resided in Ellora in Wharf Road (Item 14a).

The original church building forms the chancel of the existing building and was extended in 1885/6 by J. Morrison of Burwood at a cost of £3,400. Further extensions occurred in 1962. The three stages can be clearly seen inside the building by looking at the differing wood and decorations on the ceiling. In 1911 the rectory in Jordan Street was completed by Mr Pouley at a cost of £4,140.

The War Memorial Gates were added in 1926 - dedicated to the locals who belonged to the Anglican Church and served in World War I. Initially sited on the corner of Victoria Road and Jordan Street, they were relocated during the widening of Victoria Road in 1931.

War Memorial Gates:

• Description - Four iron gates, mounted on sandstone pillars are set into stone front fence of the church. Attached to the pillars on either side of the main double gates, are six bronze plaques, four of which have names embossed. Th other two plaques contain dedication details and are in the form of wreaths
• Inscription - Wreath 1: Erected to the Glory of God and in honour of those who took part in the Great War 1914-1918.
• Inscription - Wreath 2: Unveiled by His Excellency the Governor General Baron Stonehaven PC, GCMG, DSO, April 26th 1926'