Built in the 1880s, The Manse stands as a testament to Mount Druitt’s evolving story. The Manse is located at 23 The Avenue. It is also known as the Methodist Manse.
Imagine this land back in 1881. The Mount Druitt Estate was being auctioned. Section 2, where The Manse would later stand, was vacant. The railway station had just opened. The western line stretched from Parramatta to Penrith.
John Harris built The Manse. He died in 1891. Some historians suggest a construction date of 1885. But hard evidence is scarce. The building’s Georgian architecture hints at an earlier time. But there would have been no purpose in building a six-roomed house there in the 1830s. It was the middle of nowhere back then.
Look closely at the rear of The Manse. You can see an extension. It adds four more rooms. The gable-end stands out above the original roof. Its Federation styling clashes a bit. This extension likely dates from 1906 to 1922. Minor additions occurred throughout the 20th century.
After Harris’s death, the Kennedy family acquired The Manse. They were devout Presbyterians. A new Presbyterian church was being built. The minister needed a residence. The Kennedys donated The Manse to the church in 1895. It became a parsonage. Some say they were Methodists. But historical societies indicate they were Presbyterian.
The Manse served as the Presbyterian minister’s residence. Reverend George Milne lived there from about 1913 until 1930.
Later, a split occurred in the church. Blacktown Council bought The Manse in 2001. For a time, it was rented out. Sadly, some original furnishings disappeared during this period. The fireplace and organ were likely stolen by tenants.
The house deteriorated. But it was restored between 2007 and 2008. The future use of The Manse is currently unknown.
The Manse is a single-story brick house. It has a rectangular plan and a hipped roof. A verandah wraps around two sides. The small gable roof ventilator is a more recent modification. The verandah floor has also been replaced.
The Mount Druitt Historical Society is now located at The Manse. The Manse stands as the oldest remaining building in Mount Druitt. It is a very fine and largely intact early country-style dwelling.
The Reserve surrounding The Manse is divided into visual units. The most visible part is at the corner of The Avenue and Mount Druitt Road. It features remnant Eucalyptus woodland.
An open grass area connects the woodland to The Manse. The heritage building is located toward the eastern end of the site. It is surrounded by remnant trees and open grass. The Manse is fenced.
The land to the south and east features mown paddock grass. There’s also a scattered stand of endemic Eucalyptus woodland. Remnant post and wire farm fencing also exists.
The trees are consistent with the vegetation at the nearby Dr Charles McKay Reserve. Grey box and narrow-leafed ironbark dominate.
Little heritage planting remains. Cultural plantings include privet and cypress pine.
Differing fences surround The Manse. These include boundary fencing and security fencing. Sections of remnant post and wire farm fencing are also present.
The Manse was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999. The Manse stands as a reminder of Mount Druitt’s rich history. It is a place where the past connects with the present.