St John's Anglican Church, Darlinghurst
St John's Anglican Church is in the Sydney suburb of Darlinghurst. It is located at 120 Darlinghurst Road and is listed on the Register of the National Estate[1] as well as having a New South Wales state heritage listing.[2]
History and description
St John's is a large sandstone structure designed in the Gothic Revival style and built in the 19th century. It features a square tower, pinnacled spire, slate roof and dressed stonework. The architects, Goold and Hilling, were responsible for the original design and the building was opened in April 1858. In 1871 Edmund Blacket, noted for his work with Anglican churches, designed the transepts and spire.[3]
The rectory, located next to the church, is a two-storey building in the Italianate style. It was built circa 1867. As was common practice in the Victorian period, the building is composed predominantly of rendered brick. The rectory is state heritage-listed along with the church.
Social programs
- Anglicare: operates twice weekly to provide emergency relief
- Financial Counselling Service: available three days weekly
- Legal Counselling and Referral: available two days weekly
- Narcotics Anonymous: meets Tuesday and Thursday in the church hall
- Pastoral Care for Elderly or hospitalised: regular services provided for Elizabeth lodge and St Luke's
- Community Assistanced Program: operates from Rough Edges Coffee Shop to provide short-term or long-term emergency help[4]
Drop-in centre
In 1987, a drop-in centre called PJ's was opened by a St John's outreach worker and volunteers in St Peter's Church Hall, Darlinghurst. It operated consistently until 1994, when it had to close because St Peter's Church was closed down. The clergy from St John's searched for a place that was suitable for a new drop-in centre and decided to utilise the basement of the parish hall in Victoria Street. A new centre called Rough Edges was opened in 1996, fronting directly onto Victoria Street. It operated under full-time managers, supplemented by volunteers, until 2010; since then it has been staffed entirely by volunteers. It opens four nights of the week (Wednesday to Friday from 7:30 to 10:30 pm and Sunday from 7:30 to 9:30 pm) depending on the availability of volunteers. Drinks are sold and food is given away for free after having been donated by Oz Harvest and Govinda's Restaurant in Victoria Street.
St John's Rectory
St John's, interior
Rough Edges
Main entrance of church
References
- ↑ The Heritage of Australia, Macmillan Company, 1981, p.2/79
- ↑ State Heritage website
- ↑ The Heritage of Australia, p.2/79
- ↑ St John's Website
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