Hunter Baillie Memorial Presbyterian Church
The Hunter Baillie Memorial Presbyterian Church is situated in the inner western Sydney suburb of Annandale. It is an example of Gothic Revival architecture and is listed on the Register of the National Estate.[1]
Description and history
The church was erected between 1886 and 1889 by Mrs Helen Hay Mackie Baillie as a memorial to her late husband, John Hunter Baillie (1818-1854). Its sandstone spire reaches a height of 56 m (182 ft) and is the tallest church spire in New South Wales, the twin 70m spires of Sydney's St Mary's Cathedral completed in 2000 are taller but are steel cored.
The church was designed by Cyril and Arthur Blacket, sons of the Colonial architect Edmund Blacket. Its interior features massive pillars of Aberdeen granite with Melbourne bluestone bases and capitals. The baptismal font and pulpit are carved from New Zealand Oamaru stone and green marble.
The church houses a large 19th Century organ by William Hill & Son of London.
OVer the years significant anniversaries have been celebrated including the 100th in 1989 and on Sunday March 1, 2009 the church's 120th anniversary was celebrated. .[2] There is a current National Trust sponsored Appeal, which seeks to raise the estimated $4.5 million required for restoration of the building and organ.
Sunday Service and Sunday School continue to be held each Sunday at 10am with special services at Christmas and Easter and for such events as the annual Kirking of the Tartan in June
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