ABOUT THE BUILDING

The Church is not only a building, but also its people. It is a living thing bearing witness to a living God. The Church of St Augustine's Merewether, therefore, is not only the place where for over a century the Christian Gospel has been proclaimed and people have gathered to worship Jesus Christ as Lord, but it is also that community of faith which gathers and worships here today. The church was built by people of faith, and it is people of faith who make it what it is today.

The Beginnings

Edward Christopher Merewether came to Australia from England in 1838 as the Governor's Private Secretary. He held many important positions in the government until in 1861 he was appointed the General Superintendent of the Australian Agricultural Company, bringing him into close contact with the people of Newcastle. In 1872 he and his wife Augusta inherited the large Burwood Estate in this area which had been formerly owned by his famous and remarkable father-in-law, Dr James Mitchell.

Mr E.C. Merewether was a respected and very energetic citizen in the progress of this region. In 1888 he commenced the construction of this church building in the Gothic style with local brick, stone facings and slate roof. It was completed in 1889 and consecrated by Canon Selwyn, although the title deeds remained the property of Mr Merewether who leased the building to the church authorities for 999 years at a token rent of one peppercorn per annum, if called upon. In 1913 the title deeds were handed over to the Church of England, and the church was again consecrated, this time by Bishop Stretch. The entrance porch was added in 1975.

The Name

The church was named after St Augustine, the first Archbishop of Canterbury. Augustine was a Benedictine monk in Rome who was chosen by Pope Gregory I to lead a mission to pagan England in 597 with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The pope was compelled to this action by the sight of the fair-haired Angles for sale as slaves in the marketplace of Rome, whom he said were "not Angles, but angels". A stained glass window in the sanctuary of the church depicts this marketplace scene.

In 1960 the rector of St Augustine's, Rev. F.G.Standen, brought back to Merewether a stone from the ruins of St Augustine's Monastery in Canterbury. This stone has been set in the wall near the lectern and forms a tangible link between our church and St Augustine of Canterbury.

The Pulpit

The pulpit is a memorial to eleven men and boys, one of them a chorister of the church, who lost their lives in the Hamilton Pit Disaster only a few weeks after the opening of the church in 1889.

The Organ

Built around 1895, this three manual Davidson pipe organ has been listed by the Organ Historical Trust as an historic organ. It spent many years in one of the stately homes of Hunters Hill, Sydney, before being purchased and installed in this building in 1924. It was completely rebuilt in 1964 and again renovated in 1982.

The Stained Glass Windows

The windows in the Sanctuary depict the resurrection and ascension of Christ, and tell of other events in His life.

The beautiful War Memorial window in the North Transept shows the crucified Christ surrounded by His faithful friends together with representatives of the Armed Forces. This window is both a memorial to those who lost their lives in World War II, as well as a thank offering for victory, the safety of Australia and for those who returned home from the war. The western windows depict Christ's transfiguration.

The south window in the South Transept depicts Jesus the Good Shepherd, Jesus the Light of the World, and Christ ascended. The west window gives us a vision of Christ the King, seated in Glory.

The windows along the south side of the Nave depict aspects of Christ's great commission to His followers to go into all the world with the Good News of salvation for all who will believe in Him. Throughout these scenes runs the River of Life. The windows along the north side of the Nave present the key events of Jesus' earthly ministry.

The Rose window is particularly beautiful, and the window in the entrance porch invites us to come to Jesus.

Roll of Honour

On the southern wall is an Honour Roll listing the names of those from the parish who served their country in the First World War. Detailed information about those who died during the war is available by clicking here.

In 1989 this building was damaged by the Newcastle earthquake. It was beautifully restored in 1991. At present, the stained glass windows are undergoing repair because of damage caused by weathering, industrial fallout and time.