History
When Narellan was established in the early 1800s, travel to neighbouring Camden was quite difficult. As the township grew a parcel of land was surveyed for a church in 1827. There were substantial delays and it was not until 1839 that the building now known as the Church Hall was opened. It is one of the oldest surviving buildings in Narellan. The Hall was utilised as a schoolhouse during the week and for services on Sundays. As the Parish grew, modifications were made to the building periodically to accommodate new requirements.
The Parish council spent many years attempting to have a larger church building constructed, despite resistance from the Chaplain, Rev. Thomas Hassall. In 1856 funds were raised for construction, but the following year they were reallocated by Hassall for maintenance of the existing building. Hassall died in 1868, and was succeeded in the Parish by Rev. Arthur Wellesley Pain. Under his leadership. In 1879 architect Edmund Blackett was commissioned to design a new Church building. His initial sandstone design was too costly, and was replaced by the predominantly brick building which now stands. The new Church was opened in 1884.
The Church had interior renovations to modernise it in 1924 and 1926, and both buildings received interior and exterior repairs in 1995. By this stage the Parish was again looking to construct a larger building for their congregation. With no room at this site, a new site was sought nearby.
Macarthur Anglican School used the adjoining land (now split into two properties for the Narellan Police Station and an early childhood education centre) from 1984-2004, and for a part of that period the Chapel was utilised for school chapel services.
In 2001 the Chapel was deconsecrated and the site sold, as a new Church building had been constructed 5 minutes drive away in Spring Farm. The site is now used as a photography studio and the Chapel is hired for events.
Personal Notes
This spot has particular significance for me. Not only did I attend Macarthur Anglican School and go to services here, but I was married here a few months ago, to a girl I met at MAS. My best man made a gift to us of cache containers with an important message in place of logs, and the one here is identical to mine (apart from the log!).
Those interested in the history of this area should check out The Booos' caches, many of which centre on historic buildings both gone and still standing, and this walking tour prepared by the Chapel's current owners and the Camden Historical Society.
I'd also like to make mention of Booo Booo's cache on the same theme which was previously placed nearby, which I sadly didn't quite get to before it was archived.
*** FTF congratulations to jaybeem!, Mobsey, and Tea_Rose ***