St Andrews

St Andrews, Seven Hills

St Andrew's Rectory, rear view (L), front view (R), © David Powell, 2005

Church complex built between 1863 and 1891. Located 313 Seven Hills Rd North, Seven Hills, near the junction of Seven Hills Road North & Old Windsor Road.

Site consists of the church (1880), church hall (1863) and rectory (1891). As was common with churches of the period, St Andrews is sited near the top of the hill, overlooking the parish.

The church was built on land donated by Phillip Pearce - the Pearce's were an important pioneer family in the Seven Hills - Kings Langley area (see Bella Vista). In 1863 a small Gothic-style church was built on the site, consisting of brick walls and a corrugated iron roof. The church was used both as a school and for services until 1880. On 13th October, 1880 a larger Gothic-style church was consecrated on the site, consisting of a nave, chancel and vestry, again built of brick with a corrugated iron roof. The 1880 church originally had stained glass commemorative windows (most from the Pearce family) which were relocated to St Peter's, Seven Hills when St Andrew's was deconsecrated. With the opening of the new church in 1880, the original building became the "Church Hall". In 1891 the church rectory was built - a large two-storey Victorian style residence.

In 1980 St Andrew's was deconsecrated and sold. The rectory was restored and converted into apartments. The church and hall are somewhat neglected with several of the stained glass windows of the former broken and replaced by wooden panels.

Sources:
Blacktown Advocate, 17/3/2004
NSW Heritage Office Website, http://www.heritage.nsw.gov.au
"A History of Prospect", Frank Bloxham, 2002, Blacktown & District Historical Society
"When the Country Became the City Blacktown", 1996, Blacktown & District Historical Society