Since the foundation stone was laid in 1840, Garrison Church has stood on Lower Fort Street and sits central to Millers Point and The Rocks. And for the first time in 150 years, the building has had a significant renewal, updating some older facilities to enable the space to continue to serve its congregation and community.

“In Acts 26:26, Paul says to King Agrippa, ‘I am convinced that none of this has escaped [your] notice, because it was not done in a corner’,” says the Rev Justin Moffatt, senior minister at Church Hill. “This was the verse, from the very beginning of this project, that inspired the glass view to the street.

“The renewal project… is primarily about the renewal God brings. It’s also about the renewal of community. It’s all cast, of course, in the renewal of the buildings. The original design brief used these three words: ‘Attractive. Open. Accessible.’ We’re really excited about it.”

Throughout the major works, designed by FJC Studios and built by Laycock Constructions, the church hall interior, garden, door and glass wall were renovated. The exterior of the hall, roof and floors were preserved, while extra walls were added in the interior of the hall to create new gathering spaces.

Changes to one door in particular were done to help newcomers and visitors access the church with greater ease. Ian Thompson, a parish member on the building committee, says it has had “a substantial impact on the broader community in this historic area”.

“One of the small things, or big thing really, is it gave us a new front door! When you came before, mid-week, you couldn’t find the front door to our halls. Now there is a very glorious bit of architecture, which is our front door.”

The parish’ warden responsible for the project, Grahame Harris, was delighted to be part of what was done and see the building upgraded. “My background is architecture,” he says. “I believe this project has taken a building that was built with no major alterations since 1878, and brought this complex into the 21st century from the 19th century.”

With The Garrison Church renewal completed, the parish is now working on a renewal for the St Philip’s site on York Street, aiming to provide more open spaces and better access for the community.