Remember William Lawson. He pushed for St Bartholomew’s Church to be built. It was the first church to open in Prospect back in 1841. Today, you can still see his vault and many other pioneer graves here.
St Bartholomew’s Church stands as a testament to the early European settlement of the Prospect area. Before this church was built, the land was inhabited by Aboriginal people. They had established camping locations along the Eastern Creek and Prospect Creek.
European settlers began arriving in 1789. Governor Phillip himself climbed Prospect Hill in 1788. He noted it was the first time they saw the Blue Mountains. Prospect Hill became a reference point for explorers.
The church’s story begins in earnest in 1836. The Church Act aimed to promote church construction. St Bartholomew’s Church of England was built by pioneers using funds collected from 1837.
James Atkinson won the contract in 1838. He was building three other churches simultaneously. The trustees were William Lawson, Robert Crawford, and Nelson Simmons Lawson. Henry Robertson is believed to be the architect. However, William Lawson may also have contributed to the design.
Lawson, who crossed the Blue Mountains, lived in Veteran Hall in Prospect. His family vault is here at St Bartholomew’s. The church and cemetery were consecrated in April or May 1841. The earliest burials were Ann and Margaret Goodin. They were daughters of early settlers.
The church’s condition declined in the mid-twentieth century. A dwindling congregation led to its closure in 1967. The last service was held on Christmas Eve. But a group formed The Prospect Trust to preserve the church.
Fire severely damaged St Bartholomew’s Church in 1989. The original box pews and an 1850s organ were lost. Restoration commenced in 1991. The church was completely restored from 2000 to 2001. It even received a heritage award.
St Bartholomew’s Church has a Colonial Georgian design. It has a rectangular brick structure. Inside, there is a nave, a chancel, and two vestries. The main entrance is through the bell tower. It has a square base and an octagonal belfry.
Take a moment to appreciate the trees surrounding the site. You will find Mediterranean cypress and Moreton Bay figs. The graveyard has sandstone headstones and marble markers.
The site is linked to the history of the area. It contains graves of prominent families. St Bartholomew’s remains a dominant landmark. Its design and mature trees make it special.
Today, St Bartholomew’s Church stands as a reminder of the past. It represents the resilience of the community. It is a significant part of Prospect’s heritage.