It's one of the most significant buildings in Parkes, architecturally, and considered to be one of the finest country churches in the state.
St George's Anglican Church on the corner of Church and Hill streets, standing at an incredible 80 feet high, was built in 1927 at a total cost of £14,000.
It has no arched Gothic windows but the mass and towers still give it a Gothic appearance. It adjoins the parish hall of 1889 with the north west end of the church added in 1955.
Its architect Louis Williams of Melbourne, a devotee to the interwar Gothic style.
While this glorious structure in the heart of the Parkes township is only 98 years young, its Anglican parish is marking a momentous 150 years of faith, fellowship and service to the community in 2025.
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And its congregants are throwing a celebration this weekend to match.
To help mark this incredibly special occasion, here is a brief history of the early years of the Anglican ministry in the Parkes Shire, compiled from the research and history writings of Gloria Dietrich in 'A history of the Anglican Church of Parkes' and 'Parkes 1983-2008 - Generation of Change' by Elizabeth Butel and Tom Thompson.
1875
The Church of England, Parish of Parkes, was created in 1875 and at that time included several neighbouring towns.
On February 28 the Reverend R J Read became the first Anglican clergyman to be appointed to the Church of England in Parkes.
The first church, a timber building was built the same year and the first marriage solemnised on May 17 at 11am in St George's Church Parkes between John Mobbs, a gold miner and Susan Hurkett.
This information was taken from the Marriage Register, which Gloria said, clearly indicated that the first Anglican Church, as well as the second and third were all called St George's.
This first church was destroyed by fire at the end of 1918 or very early 1919, according to the old minute book of St George's Vestry.
Baptism Register records show the first child baptised on March 14, 1875 was Lillian Jane - parents Robert and Clara Harrison, profession gold miner.
There were 98 baptisms that year and the number of marriages for the year, performed throughout the district in homes, in Parkes, Trundle and Peak Hill, were nine.
1876
The first St George's Church was consecrated on May 15.
1878
A site was dedicated at Bumberry for a church and parsonage.
1889
The foundation stone of the second St George's Church was laid on May 23.
About 1889 a church was built at Tichborne at a cost of £100.
1906
An organist was appointed for St George's at a salary of £20 per annum.
1910
A market day, probably the first of many was held on Easter Monday.
A telephone was installed in the rectory.
A flower show held about October.
1911
The laying of the foundation stone at St Stephen's Bindogundra on December 13.
1912
The Bishop dedicated churches at Bogan Gate and Tichborne.
1913
It was moved at a meeting in June that a new church be built and the present church be used as a Sunday school but no action was taken at this stage.
1919
The Sunday school room, the first church, was destroyed by fire.
Incidentally the bell on the present day St George's is the original one from the first Anglican Church in Parkes and has been rung every Sunday for about 150 years.
Cliff Cowell rang the bell, which hung on the wooden frame east of its present position, when the Second World War ended in 1945. He was eight years old.
On August 15, 2020 Cliff rang the very same bell at 11am to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Victory in the Pacific, VP Day.
1924
The first Anglican (Church of England) Debutante Ball was held.
1925
Electric lighting was connected to the church.
By May about £8000 had been collected for a third church.
1926
The foundation stone for the new church was laid on June 16.
1927
The first portion of the present St George's Church was built for £12,000. This building included the sanctuary, chancel, north and south transepts tower crossing the vestries, side chapel and a portion of the nave, together with the kindergarten hall beneath the nave.
The total cost with furniture was £14,000.
The interior of the church is of struck brick and many outstanding architectural features rarely seen in such material in the fluted columns of the chancel arch.
The sanctuary is spacious and has a 10 foot altar of the English type, with viddels and dorsals.
The whole of the altar and sanctuary furniture is hand-wrought.
The cross, candlesticks, vases and sanctuary lamp are of hand-wrought copper and bronze. The chalice and paten are of hand-wrought silver with precious stones, and the processional cross is silver and enamel.
All furniture within the church was designed by the architect.
The exterior has noble proportions, the chief feature being the great central tower which rises to a height of 80 feet above the kindergarten floor level.
The last wedding held in the second St George's Church was on November 7 between Victor Cole and Olive Wilson, and the first wedding in the new church was on November 26 of Owen Gosper and Daisy Iffland.
1933
The Bumberry Church was destroyed by fire about this time.
1935
Trouble began with pigeons on the building and has continued on and off ever since.
1937
By 1937 there had been 88 baptisms, 30 marriages, 36 burials and 136 confirmed for that year.
1956
The church purchased the corner block from the Municipal Council.
1959
The St George's Anglican Youth Centre was dedicated and opened on November 13.
1960
Reedy Creek and Mandagery were included in the Parish of Parkes from July.
1961
In July a memorial rose garden was planned, fluorescent lights were installed at the church and in August the rectory was offered for sale.
1962
There was discussion on designs and prices for a new rectory to be built on the southern side of the church grounds, at an estimated cost of £9000.
The old rectory and land adjoining was sole and leased back to the church until the end of December or until the new building was completed.
1975
Church centenary, 100 years since the first Anglican clergyman the Reverend R J Read took up residence and the first church was built.
St George's Church was classified by the National Trust.
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Over these years many diverse groups were formed - ladies guild, men's club, girls guild, church choir, men's society, young men's club, church tennis club, sports committee, girls friendly society, boys hostel, St George's Social Club, young wives group, St George Singers, Anglican Women of Australia and St George's Parish Youth Committee.
Like with most long-standing institutions the Anglican Church of the Parish of Parkes and Peak Hill has faced its fair share of challenges, including changes to the type of ministry and the forms and times of worship. Such changes were intended to accommodate an ageing and declining congregation.
Over the last 40 years a number of renovations and improvements have been carried out to the St George Church buildings.
The crypt, for many years used as a storeroom, was refurbished during the 1980s. A new auditorium was built, as well as a small meeting room and office.
In 1983 the old Shire Chambers in Currajong Street, owned by the church, became the temporary home of the St George's Economy Shop.
In 1986 new lights were designed and installed in the church, the parish hall and kitchen were refurbished and parts of the church were re-carpeted.
Late in the 1990s the rectory was altered from two flats to a single home once again. In previous years it housed the assistant priest but from 2000 it became the home of the rector.
Running repairs and maintenance are continually carried out, assisted by grants from the Heritage Council and the State Government, and money raised by the parishioners and the community.
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