St Thomas' Church Heritage Restoration Work Project

RESTORATION WORK PROJECT.

Before and after.

Restoration Through The Years

Restoration of St. Thomas' Port Macquarie has been ongoing almost since it was first in use. This is because the convicts who built it were not artisans but labourers - and their supervisors were soldiers! As early as October 1828, the first vicar (Rev. John Cross) wrote that rain was coming through the roof and the windows. Restoration Appeals to the public were numerous including:

1839: Church partially destroyed by hurricane; restoration through local gifts and labour.

1897: Church so badly damaged by cyclone Bishop offered 100 pounds towards a new church. But Appeal through Herald and Telegraph raised enough to restore the building.

1923: White ants in roof timbers; galvanised roof deteriorated. New roof of terracotta tiles fixed through appeal by A.E. Pountney of Port Macquarie News.

1957: Local appeal raised enough to restore several problem areas.

1968: National appeal launched under patron Governor General Lord Casey, to restore tower walls. This was done by the insertion of steel rods at each corner to prevent bricks from slipping further; while a number of other smaller problems were attended to at the same time.

1986: Windows replaced; white ant damage repaired through appeal headed by His Excellency Sir Roden Cutler, V.C.

1998/9: Local appeal raised over $A85,000, including grants from the Australian Heritage Commission, for repair of white ant damage to box pews, flooring and wainscotting. Box pews restored to earlier configuration under direction of a heritage architect.

2000: Launch of major restoration appeal for repair of crumbling brickwork in tower and north entrance convict brick wall. Millennium year celebrated by laying stone to replace original foundation stone.

2002: Applications (March & April) to State and Federal Governments for funding amounting to around three quarters of a million dollars, to restore brickwork of outer walls, both tower and nave; also to install a damp-proof course (omitted from original building).

Present Restoration Work

Restoration Work 2003-2006: Restoration of brickwork commenced in April 2003 with removal of cement render from the east and north walls. At this stage the damage was found to be much greater than assessed; cost of restoration now estimated at $1.5 million. Scaffolding was erected around nave and tower and work commenced with the cleaning of bricks. This uncovered bricks so salt- and moisture-laden that most had to be replaced rather than turned. Fortunately, a large stock of convict bricks remained in the property and hundreds more were donated from public authorities and private homes after an appeal through the local Press.

Examples of deterioration of the tower which needed to be remedied:

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Restoration Programme

The comprehensive restoration programme consisted of:

· Installation of damp-proof course.

· Cocoons on exterior and inner walls to draw out salination and damp.

· Injection of chemicals into interior spaces in walls, again to reduce damp.

· Turning or replacing convict bricks.

· Mixing of mortar to same density and colour as original soft lime mortar.

· Removal and storage of wainscotting from nave.

· Tuck-pointing and replacement of wood around clocks in tower .

· Installation of lightning conductor on tower.

· Root barrier around three Norfolk pines planted in 1860.

· Restoration/refurbishment of Muniments Room together with heritage documents and items therein (still to be done).

· Replacement of wooden window embrasures (still to be done).

The successful implementation of this restoration programme resulted in a heritage award from Hastings Council.

Click here for a summary of the work done which resulted in this award >

Besides ongoing work to maintain the Church and its furnishings OTHER RESTORATION IS ALSO NECESSARY to keep this Church and its surrounds (believed to be the oldest complex in Australia) i.e. Church Hill and the 1821 Surgeon’s Dispensary (now the Colonial Chapel of Christ the Healer) and the 1822 Surgeon’s Residence (now the Parish Admin Centre) for posterity.

Since 1828 St Thomas' has been a beacon to the weary, a tower of strength in both sad and happy times. It is a haven to rich and poor alike, and a reminder that - despite hurricanes and voracious pests - it has withstood the ravages of time through the determination and devotion of our ancestors. We have a debt to these past generations who have kept this landmark from decay. Their faith has given us a monument for future generations.

THIS IS OUR HERITAGE!

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