First built – called the Mother Church of Congregationalists
(Transcribed by Kirsty Sherwood, a great great granddaughter of Emily Bennett)
My earliest recollections of the church was that the pews were more like small rooms with doors and seats around. The organ loft was over the entrance. But when the church
was enlarged1 the organ was replaced by a larger and better one and that end of the church was built out and a finer space made allowed for organ and choir. The pulpit was lowered and the pews all altered or modernized.
Pitt St. Church never was called by a name, only went by Pitt St. There were always selected good ministers. The first I recall was Dr. Robert Ross following him was William Cuthbertson, a very great favorite, warm hearted and genial and beloved by the young of all ages. Then came Rev’d James2 (sic) Graham2, also a large hearted man and beloved and respected. Next came Dr.Jefferis from Adelaide. He was very clever and a great favorite. His 
wife was also a enthusiastic worker. She originated the cottage homes for children. Next came Rev.Tremayne Dunstan from Western Australia, at first a very popular and energetic man, but there was a sad disunion in the Church and he passed out. After came a Mr. Scott, but he made no mark. The present pastor came next. He had a very difficult part to play as so many of the old members had removed out of town, but N.J. Cocks has done good work, ably assisted by his wife. They are both very popular and beloved by the congregation.
T
he first Deacons3 were Mr. John Fairfax, proprietor of the Sydney Morning Herald, John West, Editor of the same paper, Mr. Foss, chemist of Pitt Street, where very often the choir meetings were held. The singing was always good, led by Mr. Andrew Fairfax, son of William Fairfax, brother of John Fairfax. The other deacons were Mr. George Alfred Lloyd, Mr.Threlkeld, Mr. Thomson, Mr. David Jones, Richard Jones and Joseph Thomson. Mr. Bridson and Mr. Fred Packer were organists. There were no solos of sacred songs in church, but the anthem was always well sung by soloists.
My people and uncle always attended Pitt Street. My Father came from Craven Chapel, Westminster England, and brought letters of introduction of Mr. John Fairfax and other well known people in Sydney at that time. The well known Librarians of London, the Robert and Charles Mudie, were fellow 
Sunday School teachers in the same school. Dr.Leifchild was the preacher at the time and I was baptized in Craven Chapel.
The other church of that denomination where first my recollection was of services being held is an upper room of a large coach builders shop on Oxford Street opposite the Court House. The Rev. Slatyer was the pastor. The congregation afterwards built the church in Bourke St.4, of which be blessed thanks to Dr. Beazley’s church in Cleveland St. Redfern. Mr. Richard Johnson preaching at Bourke Street. There was a very old small church at Watson’s Bay at which an old gentleman, Mr Threlkeld used to preach. It is now in a dilapidated condition.
Notes
- The Church before and after the 1867 extensions.
- His name was John Graham and he married had Emily and Alfred in 1874. Strange that she got it wrong; though perhaps not really surprising in that she would probably never have contemplated addressing him by his first name!
- The First Deacons
- Bourke Street Congregational Church – The Iron Church. Rev. Joseph Beazley of the Redfern Congregational Church was apparently heavily involved in the operation of the Congregational Church Building Society, which raised the money for the Bourke Street Church. The pre-fab building, from Bristol, England, cost £1,224, added to the cost of the land in Bourke St. (£864), the cost of freight from the UK and cost of its erection on arrival, the total came to over £3,000.
