A safe voyage to a strange and distant land. That’s what the first Anglican service in Sydney was all about. Picture this: February 3 1788. Not quite the idyllic postcard image of Australia we imagine today. Instead it was a hastily assembled gathering of nearly 1500 souls. They were a mix of convicts soldiers marines and civil servants. All crammed together on a ridge above Sydney Cove. The Site of first service.
This wasn’t some grand cathedral. Oh no. This was the humble beginning of Anglicanism in Australia. A service led by Reverend Richard Johnson. He was the First Fleet’s chaplain a man with a deep faith and a remarkable story. He chose Psalm 116 verses 11 and 12 for his sermon. “How shall I repay the Lord for all his benefits to me? I will take up the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord.” It was a powerful message of gratitude and hope in a place far from home.
Imagine the scene. The summer sun beating down. Many in the congregation were probably bored restless or even resentful. Many convicts were already disaffected from the Church. Irish Catholic prisoners especially must have resented attending Church of England services. Even those who weren’t convicts probably weren’t thrilled. Leaving behind family friends and familiar lives wasn’t exactly cause for celebration. But perhaps some found solace in the service. Some may have truly felt gratitude for surviving the long voyage.
Reverend Johnson wasn’t just any chaplain. He was an evangelical. He deeply cared about the underprivileged. He was a friend of William Wilberforce the abolitionist and John Newton the author of Amazing Grace. He believed in spreading the gospel to even the most outcast. He saw this penal colony as an opportunity to serve.
His ministry wasn’t easy. Governor Phillip focused on order and control. He didn’t really share Johnson’s passion for conversion and teaching. Things got even worse under Phillip’s successor. Lieutenant-Governor Grose called Johnson a troublesome Methodist.
Despite the challenges Johnson persevered. At his own expense he built a church. Saint Phillip’s. A simple wattle and daub structure. It sadly burned down in 1798. Perhaps by those who disliked compulsory church attendance. He even befriended the local Gadigal people. He named his daughter Milbah an Aboriginal name. He helped the colonists survive by teaching farming. He returned to England a disappointed man in 1800. He died in 1827.
This Site of first service is more than just a historical marker. It’s a testament to faith perseverance and the incredible journey of the Anglican Church in Australia. It’s a reminder of the complex beginnings of a nation built on both hope and hardship. And it’s a tribute to a man who dedicated his life to serving others in the most challenging of circumstances. A true testament to faith amidst adversity.