Scots Presbyterian Church, Sydney 3.35

About The Scots Church

The Congregation of The Scots Presbyterian Church was established soon after the arrival of Rev. Dr. John Dunmore Lang, from Scotland in May 1823. Dr. Lang, a Minister of the Church of Scotland, and as such the first Presbyterian Minister in the Colony, was given a Crown grant of land on which to build a church. The foundation stone was laid on 1st July 1824. The stone church with a plain steeple was opened for worship on 16th July 1826.

The plans for the Sydney Harbour Bridge necessitated the demolition of the original building, and the Congregation sought a new place of worship. This they found in The General Assembly Hall of the Presbyterian Church of New South Wales which was opened in 1930.

In 2000 the proposal for the restoration and extension of the building by Westpoint Development Corporation was accepted and a contract signed. The development was based on a stratum/strata residential and commercial mix with the General Assembly Hall being be fully restored.

The restored church was officially opened by her Excellency Prof Marie Bashir, State Governor, and the service was conducted by the Rev Adrian Van Ash, Moderator of the Presbytery of Sydney and Minister of the Congregation. The church was rededicated by the Moderator General the Rt. Rev. C. Robert Thomas assisted by the Rt. Rev John S Thompson Moderator of New South Wales.