When your parish sits in one of the least religious suburbs in NSW, how do you introduce its people to Jesus and the joy of salvation? 

For the members of St Mary’s, Balmain, which was reclassified as a full parish at this year’s Sydney Synod, the answer is simple: love. The Rev Matt Davies, who became rector in 2022, said there is a tangible village feel where they’re located near the end of the Balmain Peninsula, so “we’re seeking to be the heart of the village”.

This takes many forms – from hosting community groups and offering the church as a venue to the nearby primary school (which has no hall of its own), to offering “still” prayer nights and evangelistic courses, as well as holding a huge party for St Mary’s 175th birthday and inviting, well, everyone.

“Opening the doors of the church for these events and during the week allows people from the community to wander in and chat or pray,” Mr Davies told Synod members.

“We have seen people entering St Mary’s with a genuine hunger and desire to know more about Jesus.” 

More than half of Balmain’s residents ticked “no religion” in the 2021 Census, so the parish certainly has a sizable mission field. But its people can also see God at work.

Growing by about 10 people each year, the congregation ranges in age from newborns to a much-loved centenarian. Mr Davies said that, three years ago, the parish had only three children in its kids’ ministry. To their great joy, this has now grown fivefold. 

“In my short time here, we’ve witnessed people walk through our doors weekly who have not had any church background and sometimes have never stepped foot inside a church,” he said. “Some of those people stay and have become faithful members, and know Christ as their Lord, and for others we are planting seeds – just showing them Christ’s unconditional love.” 

Next year is the church’s 180th anniversary, and Mr Davies said he was “acutely aware that our congregation are custodians of not only a building... but also a legacy that is over 180 years in the making. Many faithful people have served and sacrificed, generously given, discipled and loved their neighbours... Our vision as a church is to see the love of Christ known, lived and shared.”

Synod members enthusiastically gave the assent to reclassify Balmain as a full parish from the beginning of 2026, with the encouragement of Mr Davies to “Please pray that God will build up his church in the Balmain peninsula and the saints at St Mary’s”.