After 115 years of exposure to Sydney's climate, the unique green spire will change colour as it is replaced by new copper. The landscape on Sydney's Macquarie Street will certainly seem different.
St James' was commissioned by Governor Macquarie and designed by iconic convict architect Francis Greenway. It was completed in 1824, with the Reverend Samuel Marsden, consecrating the church on February 11th of that year. At the time, it was the city's tallest building, and it is still a much loved Sydney structure.
It wasn't only religious souls seeking guidance from St James' in the 1800s. Sailors entering Sydney Harbour looked to the Spire of the church to guide them safely to shore. The connection with the sea was taken further when the Spire, restored in the 1890s, was splashed with Bondi Beach sea water to hasten the patination – and hence colour change – to match the original Orb and Cross green.
Colourful Sydney convict Nathaniel Ewer, was commissioned by Greenway to copper the original spire. Ewer came from England at the age of 32 in 1816 with a seven year sentence. Ewer's profession is listed as an iron plate worker and he escaped twice from the Colony. Each time he was re-captured and punished.
This time around the Spire will be restored by The Sydney Restoration Company, who undertook the work on the interior of the spire, with subcontractors Jasper Swann, stonemason and ARC roofers, under the supervision of heritage architect Letizia Coppo-Jones of Design 5 Architects. It is anticipated that the work will be completed by Christmas 2009.
St James' standing around the world was reinforced in 2005, when the BBC series "80 Treasures of the World" selected St James' as a global treasure, alongside New York's Statue of Liberty, Athens' Parthenon and India's Taj Mahal.
Reverend Peter Kurti, says, "The church is currently engaged in a major Appeal to raise funds, vital to the continuation of St James' life in the community. It is imperative that funds are raised to restore the spire, roof, stone and brickwork."
The work has the full support of The National Trust, The Council of the City of Sydney and various relevant Government agencies and is being carried out under the supervision of the well known heritage consultants, Design 5 - Architects.
And treasures have been uncovered. During the course of repairs to the spire interior, early iron 'splice plates' with the convict arrow marking were found. This is evidence that some early building materials from the original 1820's spire were reused in the rebuilt 1890's spire.
Situated opposite Hyde Park Barracks, St James' isn't just located at the geographical centre of the city, but also the legal profession. The annual Opening of the Law Term is attended by the Archbishop of Sydney, the Chief Justice of NSW and members of the judiciary of NSW and the legal profession. The church was described by the Honourable TEF Hughes AO QC as 'the parish church of the law'.
St James' has shared its pews with many colourful and famous characters including cricket great Alick Bannerman, who was known to pray at the church on the morning of Sydney test matches. He has a memorial near the altar complete with stumps and bails. British naval legend Commodore Sir James Brisbane, who was an officer during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, is also remembered within its walls.
St James' is recognised as 'high' Church of England or Anglo Catholic. Its vision statement "welcomes all people regardless of age, sexual orientation or religion'. The Church is open every day every week. Other activities include:
* Weekly concerts every Wednesday at 1.15pm
* Guided tours weekdays 2.30pm – always well attended by tourists to Sydney
* Sunday School attendance through its "Kids at Church" programme
* St James' Institute organises many discussion groups each year based on highly qualified speakers who have included The Hon Michael Kirby QC and Bishop Tom Frame
* St James' acknowledges the need of the homeless, the marginalised, the lonely and the addicted. Many congregate and spend the night in the vicinity of the church particularly on the verandah of the old Supreme Court building. Every Sunday a light lunch is provided for about 80 people by teams of volunteers from the parish.
* The clergy visit Sydney Hospital and Sydney Eye Hospital regularly and minister to the sick, their relatives and friends and the hospital staff. Services are held in the hospitals