Ebenezer Church:
Ebenezer Church is the oldest church in Australia. It is the first Presbyterian church and the oldest church still in use today. It has a unique place in the heritage of the Christian faith and the pioneer farming of the nation. The Church is an active congregation with a living history. Many of the families are descendants of the original Coromandel settlers. The cemetery is one of the most important in Australia. It has an association with six generations of Coromandel settlers.
The original structures display a high degree of technical competence. The simplicity and sturdiness of the buildings, particularly the church, can be seen as a manifestation of the way of life, taste and customs of the early Scottish Presbyterian settlers
Ebenezer Church was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999
- Is Australia’s oldest church, est. 1809 at Ebenezer, NSW
- Was the first non-conformist then Presbyterian Church in Australia
- Was a pioneer in education in the colony, beginning a school in 1810. The church is the oldest extant school building in Australia
- The Coromandel covenantors arrived in Sydney in 1802 and began as pioneer farmers on the Hawkesbury at Portland Head in 1803
- After five years of worship in the open air and in the homes of Dr Arndell and Owen Cavanough they, with seven other families, covenanted on the 22 nd September 1808. They formed the ‘Society for the Propagation of Christian Knowledge and the Instruction of Youth’ and agreed to build a church and school and to call a minister to facilitate their faith
- Ebenezer means ‘The Lord has helped us all the way’ or ‘Stone of Help’. 1 Samuel: Chapter 7 Verse 12
- In 1809 and 1817 they sent to the London Missionary Society for supply of a minister
- The first communion service according to the Church of Scotland was conducted in 1824 by the Rev. Dr. John Dunmore Lang. Andrew Johnston was ordained as an elder
- The schoolmaster’s residence appears to have been built in 1817 and is an excellent example along with the church of early colonial architecture designed by Andrew Johnston
- David Dunstan and later Charles Smith, carpenter for Governor Macquarie and architect Greenway, did the carpentry at Ebenezer Church
- The first ordained Minister to serve at Ebenezer was the Rev. Dr John McGarvie, taking over pastoral duties from layman Catechist ‘Pastor’ James Mein
- The fifteen pioneer families made major contribution not only to church life but also to the whole development of the colony in its infancy.
Ebenezer Church
To be able to claim this Virtual Cache a couple of things to do
- Whose funeral was "a most impressive and unusual ceremony". Plaque to right of gate as you walk in.
- How many people are in photograph 2 at the bread oven? Behind the church buildings
- Upload a picture of one if the sandstone buildings or part thereof
(optional, but preferred)
- Email/PM your answer for the first TWO questions to me.
Without the correct answer, your log may be deleted.
Please do not post the answers in your log.
Virtual Rewards 2.0 - 2019/2020
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between June 4, 2019 and June 4, 2021. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 2.0 on the Geocaching Blog.