IT IS a widely-known fact that Ebenezer Church is the oldest existing church in Australia, but did you know pioneer Owen Cavanough donated four acres of land on which to build the church, and George Hall swam his bullocks across the river to haul the stone to the site?
These facts and many more are set to be the basis of Ebenezer Church’s ‘Heritage Day’ this Sunday, May 11.
Residents are invited to come to the Church from 10.30am to learn more about the story of Ebenezer Church, and hear talks throughout the day about its unique history and the interesting people who pioneered the area and built the church.
“Ebenezer Church has such a rich, distinct history,” church secretary Ted Brill said.
“It came into being following the arrival of eight families on board the ‘Coromandel’ in June 1802.
“These families – Davison, Hall, Howe, Johnston, Johnstone, Mein, Stubbs and Turnbull – came to the new colony with a request to be settled together.
“Their wish was granted by Governor King and they moved to their 100-acre land grants at Portland Head, now known as Ebenezer on the Hawkesbury River early in 1803.”
Mr Brill said they were joined by seven other families – Arndell, Bushell, Grono, Cavanough, Jacklin, Suddis and Jones – and met regularly on Sundays for church
services on Ebenezer Mount or in the homes of settlers.
“These settlers were people of various denominations but they came together as one congregation,” Mr Brill said.
In 1808 at a special meeting in the home of Dr Thomas Arndell, a surgeon who came out on the First Fleet, each family pledged itself to the building of a church and school. The total cost of £400 was to be obtained from voluntary subscriptions, and so the idea for Ebenezer Church was born.
The heritage day will also include a number of guided walks through property around the church that played a significant role in the church during its formative years.
“For the energetic there will be ‘walk-and-talks’ through the colonial graveyard, and for the more energetic, a walk to the quarry from which the stone was cut to build the church,” Mr Brill said.
“People can also take a wander to the beach to see where the pioneers pulled their rowing boats when coming to church from the opposite side. I also recommend the recently renovated walk along the riverbank to a lookout from which you can look along two magnificent reaches of the Hawkesbury River.
Mr Brill said families are invited to bring their picnic rugs or chairs and enjoy a Mother’s Day lunch to the singing of balladeer Darryl Bowen.
“The church barbecue will be fired up and the usual Devonshire teas will be in full swing, so we’re keen to see as many people as possible enjoy a relaxing, informative day in the church grounds,” Mr Brill said.
For more information visit the website at www.ebenezerchurch.org.au or call 4579 9235.