St Barnabas Anglican Church, Yarramalong

St Barnabas Anglican Church is a heritage-listed former Anglican church located at Yarramalong Road, Yarramalong, in the Central Coast, New South Wales, Australia. It was built from 1889 by volunteer labour under supervision of James Bailey. The property is owned by the Central Coast Council. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.^[1]

History

Ezekiel Waters and William Beaven are buried here. It is the oldest church building in the Central Coast Council local government area. It opened c. 1885 and the last "formal" service was held in 1977. Special monthly services and weddings still take place.^[1][2] Graves situated behind the old church are usually maintained by a committee of local residents. The burial ground can be used only by the descendants of those already interred in the cemetery.^[2][1]

A centenary celebration, well-attended, was held there in 1985.^[1]

Today the site is fairly thickly revegetating eucalypt forest.^[3][1]

Description

Site

The oldest church in the former shire, and its only church with an adjoining cemetery (the cemetery is not within, but adjoins, the State Heritage Register curtilage boundary), St Barnabas' is historically significant. In its restored state it is representative of early church buildings, and reflects the early patterns of settlement in the area. The church and cemetery - with community links, are also socially significant.^[2][1]

An historic photograph in the early 1900s shows the church standing in rough grass, with only two gum trees nearby (some 10 metres (33 ft) from the front door. Other bush and taller gum trees are off to some distance.^[4][1]

Church

The Church uses local timbers throughout its entire construction, and has simple proportions and delicate details. Sited on traditional east west axis, this modest church of timber construction with lancet windows and steeply pitched corrugated iron roof, has an unusual belfry, with louvered sides atop the west end. Entry is via a small porch of similar detailing to church at west end.^[2][1]

Later modifications to the site include fencing and internal lining boards.^[1]

It was reported to be in excellent condition as at 7 May 2013.^[1]

Heritage listing

St Barnabas Anglican Church was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.^[1]

See also

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k} "St. Barnabas Anglican Church". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H00201. Retrieved 28 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC-BY 4.0 licence.
2. ^ ^{a b c d} LEP, 1999
3. ^ Stuart Read, on recent photograph provided by Wyong Shire Council, 5/2013
4. ^ Stuart Read, using photograph provided by Wyong Shire Council, 5/2013

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