Built of Sydney sandstone St Thomas Anglican Church stands proudly. It’s a testament to faith and resilience. Located in the Mulgoa Valley this beautiful church whispers tales of pioneering spirits.
St Thomas Anglican Church wasn’t just built it was a dream realized. Reverend Thomas Makinson the first incumbent priest envisioned a place of worship. He worked alongside James Chadley the architect. James Atkinson and William Chisholm were the master builders. Atkinson even carved the stunning pinnacled reredos himself. Imagine the skill and devotion poured into every stone. Every carefully carved detail.
The church wasn’t erected in a vacuum. It sits on land gifted in 1831. William Cox a pioneer generously donated the site. His family the Cox family were influential in the Mulgoa Valley. They were renowned pastoralists establishing vineyards and orchards. Their prosperity and legacy are interwoven with the very fabric of this church. Four buildings remain as physical embodiments of their era. Glenmore Fernhill The Cottage and St Thomas’s Church itself.
Construction spanned from 1836 to 1838. The completed structure is a masterpiece of Victorian Gothic Revival style. The proportions are Georgian. The detail however is distinctly Victorian Gothic. The hammer-beam roof was revolutionary. It was the first open timber hammer-beam roof in the entire colony. A true architectural innovation.
Look closely at the east end. You will find a beautiful stained-glass window. Created by Charles Clutterbuck a renowned early Victorian artist. He also designed the east window of the Garrison Church in Miller’s Point. The scenes depicted tell stories of the Apostle Thomas.
The church isn’t alone. It’s nestled within a picturesque graveyard. Numerous headstones and classical sandstone monuments dot the landscape. Many belong to members of the Cox family. Their final resting place enhances the church’s serene setting. The graveyard is bordered by regenerating eucalypts. It creates a truly peaceful and spiritual atmosphere.
St Thomas Anglican Church is more than just a building. It’s a living monument. A reflection of the faith courage and artistry of those who built it. It stands as a symbol of the Mulgoa Valley’s rich history. It continues to serve as a place of worship for the Anglican parish. It is a beautiful and evocative site. A place where history whispers and faith endures.