How about a church with a history stretching back to the mid-19th century. We are standing in front of St Mary the Virgin Anglican Church in Waverley. This beautiful building has been a landmark for over a century.
St Mary the Virgin Anglican Church began in 1857. At that time, a school house in Randwick was used for worship. The districts were united as Waverley and Randwick. Reverend W. H. McCormick was in charge of the area’s spiritual needs.
Later in 1857, a small stone church was built. It was dedicated to St Mary the Virgin. This original site is now home to St Clare’s College. The Reverend Stanley Mitchell succeeded Rev. McCormick.
By 1863, the initial church became too small. Sir John Young laid the foundation stone for a new church. This happened on June 5, 1863. Bishop Barker dedicated the new St Mary the Virgin Anglican Church on May 19, 1864. The original design included a tower and spire. But these were never built.
The renowned architect Edmund Blacket designed St Mary the Virgin Anglican Church. He designed it in the Ecclesiastical Gothic style. W. Bailey constructed the impressive stone building.
Look at the long nave complete with chancel. Notice the vestry and side porches. The dressed sandstone and concrete tiled roof give it character. Originally, the roof was shingled. See the paired lancet windows between buttresses. Admire the stained glass with label moulds. Above the western parapet gable sits a good belfry.
Over the years, St Mary the Virgin Anglican Church played a vital role in the community. Several parishes were formed from it including St Matthew’s Bondi and St Barnabas Mill Hill. This left St Mary’s smaller but still significant.
Take a look at the grey sandstone wall along Birrell Street. It likely dates back to around 1925. This wall and the mature landscape add to the church’s appeal.
Inside St Mary the Virgin Anglican Church, an organ built by August Gern was installed in 1888. Gern had worked for Cavaill-Coll. He started his own business after overseeing some of their instruments. The organ has been rebuilt and electrified over the years.
St Mary the Virgin Anglican Church stands as a testament to history. It is a beautiful building with a rich past. It remains a vital part of the Anglican Parish of Bondi and Waverley. It also holds traditional services. St Mary the Virgin Anglican Church welcomes contemporary congregations. It is a place of worship and community. It is a heritage-listed site for all to appreciate.