1930s, a rural church.
While much of the story of St Stephens Belrose dates from the time of residential subdivision of the area from the late 1960s, the first St Stephens Anglican hall in Belrose was established in the 1930s when Belrose was a relatively remote agricultural community and the area was dotted with orchards, and poultry farms. The population of the Belrose Frenchs Forest area at this time had less than 500 people and the community was relatively poor. Prior to 1935 there had been several attempts to establish an Anglican community in the area but the lack of numbers saw most Christians meeting together in the Methodist Hall on Forest Way.
In the early 1930s Mr Circuitt moved to Belrose to take up his position as post-master, operating the post office from his cottage on Forest Way. Circuitt had come to Belrose from Willoughby where he and his family had attended St Stephens Anglican Church and finding no Anglican worship in Belrose sought to establish one there. Circuitt approached his friends at St Stephens Willoughby for assistance and the Reverend HS Begbie greeted Circuitt's plan with enthusiasm.
In early 1934 Rev Begbie organised for a group of volunteers to conduct a Sunday School and monthly services in Belrose held in the Circuitt's home. Throughout 1934 attendance increased and services went from once a month to every alternate Sunday. By December 1934 over 40 people were attending and this new Belrose group had outgrown the Circuit's living room.
The Belrose area initially had come under the parish of St Matthews Manly but in 1928 a new provisional district of St Pauls West Manly (Seaforth) was established and Belrose was included in this district along with All Saints Balgowlah and St Peters Manly Vale. In 1935 a new rector arrived at St Pauls Seaforth who was very keen to keep the Belrose ministry going. He became the driving force behind plans to construct a church hall at Belrose and the Circuitt's donated part of their land for this purpose. This site was regarded as ideal because it was believed that the future settlement of the Forest area would be along Forest Way and the area around the Circuitt's home would become the area's social and commercial focus.
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Built in three weeks.
Work began on the hall in late November 1935 and it was completed by local labor in just three weeks. The first service was held there on 21 December 1935 at which time the work was consecrated. Rev Owens acknowledged the of their friends at St Stephens Willoughby naming the new building St Stephens Hall. This building remained the home of Anglican worship in Belrose for the next 41 years.
Despite the Belrose group being under the leadership of St Pauls Seaforth, parishioners from Willoughby continued to take a lead. During World War II, however, attendance at services fluctuated between poor and average and finally in March 1942 the helpers from Willoughby informed the rector that they could no longer continue their work in Belrose. Once this outside leadership was removed, the little group fell into disorder and from April 1942 church services lapsed altogether. It was evident that St Stephens had relied too heavily on her mother church and failed to develop its own leadership.
Work began on the hall in late November 1935 and it was completed by local labor in just three weeks. The first service was held there on 21 December 1935 at which time the work was consecrated. Rev Owens acknowledged the of their friends at St Stephens Willoughby naming the new building St Stephens Hall. This building remained the home of Anglican worship in Belrose for the next 41 years.
Despite the Belrose group being under the leadership of St Pauls Seaforth, parishioners from Willoughby continued to take a lead. During World War II, however, attendance at services fluctuated between poor and average and finally in March 1942 the helpers from Willoughby informed the rector that they could no longer continue their work in Belrose. Once this outside leadership was removed, the little group fell into disorder and from April 1942 church services lapsed altogether. It was evident that St Stephens had relied too heavily on her mother church and failed to develop its own leadership.
In the early post war years the Belrose Church continued to struggle. Some enthusiastic members joined but service attendance remained low. Mr and Mrs Garrett grew the Sunday school to 37, which were almost all the children in the district. When they left in 1950 Ted and Elsie Arnold recommenced the Sunday School.
By the early 1950s the group meeting in the St Stephens Hall was still the only Anglican group in the Forest area but the rector and Parish Council from St Pauls Seaforth were keen to establish additional churches as this area was beginning to be developed. They visited three vacant blocks of land owned by the parish in the Forest area including the future site of St Davids Forestville and St Albans Bantry Bay holding services on these vacant lots. It wasn't long after that these churches were established. |
A new way forward.
By May 1954 St Pauls Seaforth was responsible for eight centers of worship, too large to be efficiently administered. So in September 1954 the parish was divided and a new provisional district of Forestville-Narraweena created. This new district also included Belrose and Oxford Falls with St Albans added in 1958. Rev Syd Gissing was appointed rector over this district and made St Timothy's Narraweena his home church. For St Stephens this meant the end to its 26 year association with St Pauls Seaforth.
New residential subdivisions continued to be opened up in the Forest area and Frenchs Forest and Forestville were becoming thickly populated. Belrose, however, remained relatively undisturbed but the growing population of the district increasingly encroached on the Belrose farms and orchards. As a result the St Stephens congregation finally began to increase. In 1957 the church had enough members to form a committee for the first time. It consisted of five members two of whom were Ted and Elsie Arnold. The St Stephens Hall, now 25 years old, was still unlined with no ceiling or floor covering. Basically it was just a shed but during 1958-9 it was gradually refurbished. 1959 was the first Billy Graham Crusade in Sydney and St Stephens received further new members following this event.
Beacon Hill Anglican was established by 1961. Ten years earlier, St Stephens had been the only Anglican church in the district. Now there were 4,298 Anglicans in the parish. St Stephens however, remained the smallest church but it was beginning to grow and as always had a strong Sunday School and now also a bubbling youth fellowship.
Once again the parish had become too large to administer and in September 1961 two new provisional districts were created , the district of Narraweena with Oxford Falls and Beacon Hill, and the district of Forestville with Belrose and Frenchs Forest.
By May 1954 St Pauls Seaforth was responsible for eight centers of worship, too large to be efficiently administered. So in September 1954 the parish was divided and a new provisional district of Forestville-Narraweena created. This new district also included Belrose and Oxford Falls with St Albans added in 1958. Rev Syd Gissing was appointed rector over this district and made St Timothy's Narraweena his home church. For St Stephens this meant the end to its 26 year association with St Pauls Seaforth.
New residential subdivisions continued to be opened up in the Forest area and Frenchs Forest and Forestville were becoming thickly populated. Belrose, however, remained relatively undisturbed but the growing population of the district increasingly encroached on the Belrose farms and orchards. As a result the St Stephens congregation finally began to increase. In 1957 the church had enough members to form a committee for the first time. It consisted of five members two of whom were Ted and Elsie Arnold. The St Stephens Hall, now 25 years old, was still unlined with no ceiling or floor covering. Basically it was just a shed but during 1958-9 it was gradually refurbished. 1959 was the first Billy Graham Crusade in Sydney and St Stephens received further new members following this event.
Beacon Hill Anglican was established by 1961. Ten years earlier, St Stephens had been the only Anglican church in the district. Now there were 4,298 Anglicans in the parish. St Stephens however, remained the smallest church but it was beginning to grow and as always had a strong Sunday School and now also a bubbling youth fellowship.
Once again the parish had become too large to administer and in September 1961 two new provisional districts were created , the district of Narraweena with Oxford Falls and Beacon Hill, and the district of Forestville with Belrose and Frenchs Forest.
Purchase in Lockwood Avenue.
By this time, St Stephens were considering acquiring more land so that the church could expand with the anticipated residential development. However in 1963 it was discovered that this development was not to be north along Forest Way as had been previously thought but instead 2000 residential building blocks were about to become available in West Belrose. This would move development away from the St Stephens Hall. To meet this new challenge the parish (which included St Davids Forestville, St Albans Frenchs Forest and St Stephens) made a decision to purchase land in Lockwood Avenue for a future church and rectory. One of the three blocks they purchased contained a fibro cottage, and it was proposed that this building be used as a curate's home or for Sunday School meetings. This land cost 7500 pounds. |
Within a short time homes were being constructed in West Belrose and families moved into the area, so it was not long before Christian activities began. By 1965 a Ladies Fellowship had been established and a Sunday School began in February 1966 with 36 children arriving for the first meeting. By August 1966 West Belrose had a 60 strong Sunday School. The Church of England Association implemented an envelope system to raise money for a church building to be constructed on the Lockwood Avenue site and monthly services were held in the old cottage with the first service attended by 45 adults and over 50 children.
In the meantime, the St Stephens group continued to meet in their Forest Way Hall but now faced a dilemma. Unable to purchase any adjacent land it became apparent that the church must move. There were two choices, to move further north or to combine with West Belrose. The second choice seemed more sensible both spiritually and financially.
So it was that in April 1967 the St Stephens vestry meeting recommended that they move their church building, now 32 years old, to Lockwood Avenue and that their congregation combine with that of West Belrose. Rev Bryant described the decision to make one strong and new congregation, instead of two weaker ones, as a fine and wise inspiration.
Within a month of this decision came the news that the parish was to be divided again. The new parishes were to be those of Forestville and Killarney Heights, and of Frenchs Forest and Belrose (St Albans and St Stephens).
Rev Alan Patrick assumed the reins of the new provisional parish of St Albans and St Stephens in September 1967. One month later, in October 1967, the old church hall was moved from Forest Way to Lockwood Avenue. This relocation was a visual symbol of the new unity between the St Stephens and West Belrose congregations. From the time St Stephens moved to the Lockwood Avenue site the church grew rapidly and resources were directed towards the construction of a permanent home for these West Belrose Anglicans. In July 1968 a three-year plan for the development of the site was initiated with the first construction to be a new hall. This hall was to facilitate a day kindergarten during the week, and at week- ends Sunday School and youth groups. |
Growth and parish status.
Building commenced in November 1971 and was completed in February 1972. On Sunday 20 February it was dedicated by Archdeacon Fillingham and officially opened by local member Dick Healey. A week later the kindergarten opened fulfilling a valuable purpose in the community, which numbered so many young families. It was designed to cater for a maximum of 60 children aged 3 to 5. The education authorities complemented the church for providing one of the first kindergarten buildings in the state.
The construction of the new hall corresponded with the announcement to grant St Albans and St Stephens full parish status. Rev Patrick was inducted at St Albans on 14 November 1971 as first rector of this new parish. In this environment and with the population explosion and infusion of a greater number of committed Christians into the congregation , church life was marked by a vibrant energy.
In 1971 the parish took the radical decision to take on a full time youth worker and then in 1973 an assistant minister was added to the staff. A fourth staff member was soon added to look after the needs of women and girls.
In April 1976 Rev Len Straw became the new rector of St Albans and St Stephens. He had spent many years on the African mission field prior to his arrival in Australia from England.
Within two months of his induction, construction commenced on the new church building for St Stephens. Philip Hanlon was again engaged as the architect and he designed a building in harmony with the existing hall, to accommodate 200 worshippers. On Sunday 28 November 1976 the new church was dedicated and St Stephens was finally licensed. The staff house, adjoining St Stephens was completed in 1980.
Home groups began in 1979 flourishing with increasing membership. By 1980 an average of 300 children were attending St Stephens Sunday School each week.
It was at this time that the bishop suggested that St Albans and St Stephens should divide and stand alone. All did not greet this news favorably and there was much discussion on the matter taking up time, effort and energy for a number of years. Finally on 20 July 1986 the separation was agreed to and the Archbishop created the Provisional parish of St Stephens Belrose. Rev. David Reay, who had been the associate minister of the parish of St Albans and St Stephens since 1984, accepted the invitation to be St Stephens first Curate-in-charge, later becoming its first senior minister.
St Stephens today.
The independent St Stephens approached the final decade of the twentieth century with confidence. Church attendance averaged between 100 and 120 each Sunday and new homes were still being built in the area so the parish was not only stable but growing. Rev Reay's influential ministry remained until 2002 and was ably followed in 2003 by Rev Steve Stanis who was senior minister until 2007.
As the twenty-first century began the population of the area was aging with not so many young families and this was reflected in the growth and development of a more mature St Stephens. More recently, however, with the older generation moving into retirement villages, the area is again being filled with young families and St Stephens waits with excitement to see what God has in store for them.
- History compiled by Michelle Richmond, 2016
Building commenced in November 1971 and was completed in February 1972. On Sunday 20 February it was dedicated by Archdeacon Fillingham and officially opened by local member Dick Healey. A week later the kindergarten opened fulfilling a valuable purpose in the community, which numbered so many young families. It was designed to cater for a maximum of 60 children aged 3 to 5. The education authorities complemented the church for providing one of the first kindergarten buildings in the state.
The construction of the new hall corresponded with the announcement to grant St Albans and St Stephens full parish status. Rev Patrick was inducted at St Albans on 14 November 1971 as first rector of this new parish. In this environment and with the population explosion and infusion of a greater number of committed Christians into the congregation , church life was marked by a vibrant energy.
In 1971 the parish took the radical decision to take on a full time youth worker and then in 1973 an assistant minister was added to the staff. A fourth staff member was soon added to look after the needs of women and girls.
In April 1976 Rev Len Straw became the new rector of St Albans and St Stephens. He had spent many years on the African mission field prior to his arrival in Australia from England.
Within two months of his induction, construction commenced on the new church building for St Stephens. Philip Hanlon was again engaged as the architect and he designed a building in harmony with the existing hall, to accommodate 200 worshippers. On Sunday 28 November 1976 the new church was dedicated and St Stephens was finally licensed. The staff house, adjoining St Stephens was completed in 1980.
Home groups began in 1979 flourishing with increasing membership. By 1980 an average of 300 children were attending St Stephens Sunday School each week.
It was at this time that the bishop suggested that St Albans and St Stephens should divide and stand alone. All did not greet this news favorably and there was much discussion on the matter taking up time, effort and energy for a number of years. Finally on 20 July 1986 the separation was agreed to and the Archbishop created the Provisional parish of St Stephens Belrose. Rev. David Reay, who had been the associate minister of the parish of St Albans and St Stephens since 1984, accepted the invitation to be St Stephens first Curate-in-charge, later becoming its first senior minister.
St Stephens today.
The independent St Stephens approached the final decade of the twentieth century with confidence. Church attendance averaged between 100 and 120 each Sunday and new homes were still being built in the area so the parish was not only stable but growing. Rev Reay's influential ministry remained until 2002 and was ably followed in 2003 by Rev Steve Stanis who was senior minister until 2007.
As the twenty-first century began the population of the area was aging with not so many young families and this was reflected in the growth and development of a more mature St Stephens. More recently, however, with the older generation moving into retirement villages, the area is again being filled with young families and St Stephens waits with excitement to see what God has in store for them.
- History compiled by Michelle Richmond, 2016