Wollongong Congregational Church

Notice on the gable of the church records: Congregational - Church - Est 1855.

A plaque at the front of the church records: Wollongong Congregational Church - The church building was opened on 6th August, 1857. - Before this, the Congregational fellowship, - which had been established in 1855, - held services in a small wooden chapel - around the corner in Kembla (Camla) St. - The shop owner, David Jones (to whom a window is dedicated), - and the owner of the Sydney (Morning) Herald, John Fairfax, - were trustees of the church and regular visitors, - travelling by steamer from Sydney to Belmore Basin. - The Illawarra Mercury in its report of the opening - described the building as being "54 feet by 30 feet: - capable of seating 200 persons and is fitted with cedar throughout. - The roof is  open and the windows are gothic... - The church is entered by an ornamental portico, - approached by a flight of stone steps, and the ground in - which it is erected is enclosed by a neat paling." - While there have been a number of changes to the - interior of the church over the years - to meet the changing needs of the congregation, - and a succession of halls added at the rear, - the structure of the building is largely as it was in 1857. - "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever." 

A tablet in the church records: Sacred to the Memory - of - George Hewlett - One of the Founders - of this Church. - Deacon and Secretary - for 30 years - Supertendent of Sunday - School for 35 years - Died 24th March 1894 - Aged 74 years - A man greatly beloved - Erected by the - Sunday School, Old Scholars - and Members of the Church.