Methodist Church

The first weatherboard Methodist Church in St Marys was located on this site.

Download the Methodist Church poster (pdf 351kb)

The foundation stone was laid on the 14 June 1860 and the opening service was conducted on the 10th October 1860.

Methodist Church, St Marys c 1884-1917
Photographer: Charles Kerry, unknown date
Source: The Tyrrell Collection, NSW Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences

The first Methodist Church

The first Methodist church erected on this site was a weatherboard one. The ground on which the church was built, a quarter of an acre, was given by Mr. George Matthews.

The foundation stone was laid on the 14 June 1860 and the opening service was conducted on the 10th October 1860.  The building was erected at a cost of £100.

This timber building became infested with white ants and was replaced by a brick church in 1893 and additions were made to the Sunday School in 1925 and again in 1955. The church was later demolished in 1972.

When the Methodist Church closed its doors the members worshiped with the members of Mt Druitt Methodist Church at the corner of Mt Druitt Road and Ropes Creek Road for about eighteen months until the completion of the new church in Brisbane Street, Oxley Park.

The ‘Wesley Memorial Christian Centre’ was officially opened on 28th February 1976, uniting the Congregations of Mt Druitt and St Marys.  In June 1977 the Congregational Union and the Methodist and Presbyterian Churches came together as one to establish the Uniting Church in Australia.

References:

Penrith City Library - Penrith Methodist Circuit Centenary 1861-1961 "Upon this Rock..."
St Marys Uniting Church Elder, Barbara Porter.

Caroline Volkiene with her husband Victor after their marriage ceremony at the Methodist Church St Marys in 1972

Interview with Caroline Volkiene

Researcher: Caroline Volkiene

Caroline is a descendant of the Hackett family, one of the older families in St Marys. 

Caroline grew up in one of the “Duration Cottages” at the highway end of Carinya Ave.

Born and raised in St Marys she attended St Marys Public School then St Marys High School.  For many years Caroline was a student at the local Cuckson’s Bodenwieser School of Dance.  She also attended Sunday School and Church in the old Methodist Church that once stood on Queen Street.  

In 1972 Caroline was married there - the marriage ceremony was the last one performed as the church was demolished later that year.  Her wedding reception was held in Sirrah House (now the Major Oak).  The couple bought a home in South St Marys and raised three children there.  During these growing years the children participated in rugby league, softball, netball and music. They also became involved by helping out in the steak/drinks tent and later on various committees or as coaches, scorers and referees/umpires. Caroline’s working career was in Office Administration.  

Caroline is a member of St Marys & District Historical Society and enjoys the many shared memories about growing up in St Marys.  By recording and sharing these stories, photographs and memorabilia of those past St Marians’ she believes it helps keep alive the spirit of the many people who have contributed and believed in this place. 

Caroline is particularly interested in sharing memories of her growing up in St Marys during the 1950s and 1960s as it was a very special time.