St. Mark’s Ermington

In the heart of Ermington, nestled along the Parramatta River, stands St. Mark’s Ermington. This unassuming church holds within its walls a captivating tale of early colonial life. St. Mark’s Ermington whispers stories of convicts turned farmers, of influential families, and the growth of a community from its humble beginnings. The church sits on land once part of a vast 335-acre property belonging to Samuel Marsden. Marsden, a prominent clergyman, farmer, and magistrate, played a key role in the early development of the area. St. Mark’s Ermington began its journey in 1881. Jane Catherine Marsden, daughter of Samuel, donated a portion of her inherited land to the Bishop of Sydney. Her nephew, Edward Marsden Betts, followed suit, contributing another piece of land. Together, their gifts formed the one-acre plot where St. Mark’s Ermington now stands. The cornerstone was laid on December 17, 1881, by Mrs. Richard Terry. The church officially opened its doors on March 14, 1883. The Reverend George McIntosh led the service, which included two baptisms. The baptismal register from that time offers a glimpse into the lives of the earliest parishioners at St. Mark’s Ermington. They were primarily orchardists and farmers, a mix of former convicts and free settlers. Their names, like Spurway, Cowell, Fitzgerald, Darvall, and Atkins, are now immortalized as local street names and etched into the church’s stained-glass windows. St. Mark’s Ermington witnessed the growth of the Ermington community. Over the years, the church expanded. A chancel and vestry were added in 1904. Electricity replaced kerosene lamps in 1926. A portico was added in 1972. St. Mark’s Ermington, consecrated that same year by Archbishop Loane, had become a cornerstone of the community. Interestingly, Archbishop Loane had preached his very first sermon at St. Mark’s back in 1932 as a student. From its humble beginnings as a small church serving a community of farmers and orchardists, St. Mark’s Ermington has stood as a silent witness to the transformation of Ermington. It embodies the spirit of the early settlers and the enduring legacy of Samuel Marsden. St. Mark’s Ermington stands as a testament to faith, community, and the passage of time.