St. Peter's ... History In The Making
East Lindfield was developed as a new housing suburb after World War 2. Until the 1950s the area was bushland, with an occaisional farm cottage east of Archbold Road. The Department of Education was a large landholder and developed the East Lindfield Public School. Land next to this school had been reserved for a future high school.
Early in 1942 Canon Fred Tugwell stood on a vacant scrubby block of land facing eastern Tryon Road – then a dirt track. “One day this will all be developed; we ought to have a church here”. Following urgent discussions, St. Alban’s Parish Council applied to the Department of Lands to purchase the land adjoining East Lindfield Public School as the Department of Education had decided to build the high school at Killara.
Five residents – Miss Hirst of 99 Tryon Road, Mrs Baker of 15 Hobart Avenue, Mrs Glover of 39 Owen Street, Mrs Cornish and Miss Taylor of 2 Brisbane Avenue, offered help. They agreed to cover the whole district on a monthly basis to arouse interest and raise funds. Averaging about 2/- a visit they collected £64-14-8d. These visits developed an on-going pastoral ministry to young families in the area.
At its second meeting, East Lindfield C of E Committee agreed that St. Alban’s Council should purchase the land as offered for the total price of £556-5-0d.
Two children’s Sunday Schools had already been established in the homes of Miss Hirst and Mrs Baker; four forms were needed for seating but being wartime no timber was available – they did without!! The first Church Service in East Lindfield was held on 12 December 1942 on the verandah of Mr Walters’ home at 19 Owen Street. They had problems – the wooden verandah steps were dangerous and the pedal organ whistled!! A regular pattern of monthly Services was established.
Working bees to clear the scrub on the land were held frequently. The first Fete was held to raise funds; open fires were used to boil the billy for tea. The fete raised £110-2-0d. A picture night was also held – admission 1/6d!!
In September 1944 Mr Lindsay Little prepared plans for a Church Hall estimated to cost £1700. Application for permission to build was made to the Department of W.O.I It was rejected. Social events were held to raise funds; dancing was not allowed. In December 1945 regular monthly Services ceased because Mr Walters’ verandah was no longer available. Purchase of old Army huts was investigated but transport was too costly. Three months later in March 1946 a letter from the Department of Lands offered the adjoing 50’ block for £200. It was accepted. It would be used for a verger’s cottage. The Rectory now stands on the site.
Suddenly in June 1946, the Department of Labour and Industry wrote that if plans were put through immediately, permission to build would be given. The Womens Guild was formed to help organise. The estimated cost was now £3,000. Enquiries revealed nothing: “The application is being considered.” In November 1947 the Department of Labour and Industry advised that a permit could NOT be granted!
For about seven years after cessation of the verandah Services, people travelled to St. Alban’s for Sunday Services. Few had cars or telephones and travel was by infrequent bus or on foot.
In December 1948, at last !! A letter from the Department of Building Materials advised that, “Permission is given to build on the Church site”. The Architect submitted a modified plan to cost £4,000, half to be in hand before building could commence. We had £1,046 then!
Public meetings were called, and guarantors were found. By June 1950 we had £2060-8-4! The builder’s quote for £4,124 was accepted and work started.
On 11 November 1950, the Foundation Stone was laid by Archbishop Mowll, and shows the original Committee members – John Glover Hon. Treasurer, and Logan Baker Hon. Secretary. Seventeen months later, on 14 June 1952 the Church was opened for Public Worship. Canon Tugwell’s vision became reality. Praise the Lord!
The extensions to this building (including the kitchen) were designed by Arthur Kirkwood and opened in 1957. He also designed the Rectory, which was constructed in 1964.
St. Peter’s was named after Canon Tugwell at the suggestion of his wife, because she called him Peter (the Rock). The Dedication of the Church took place on St. Peter’s Day in 1952. The Church Bell was donated by Captain Hilder, retrieved from a ship that he knew was being broken up.
The present Church building, designed by Mr Rob Fotheringham, was completed in 1974 and has been in use ever since. The only change to it has been the addition of the Creche Room in 2001 and the establishment of the Memorial Garden at the front where ashes of past members of the Church may be scattered and plaques fitted to the wall.
(Writtern in June 1982, revised in June 2002)
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