A message from the minister
Life can be confusing. Life is beautiful, but it's also brutal and ugly. Things we put our hope in can reward us greatly or prove to be a great disappointment. In all this, we try to piece together a perspective to see us through life.
But the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ breaks through all our speculations. It helps us to realise the whole dimension of God in our lives. A dimension of forgiveness, purpose, peace, the Holy Spirit and eternal life. A dimension that helps us with the confusing things of life. A dimension that invites us to realise God didn't just create the universe, but made it in a way that He could enter and participate in it.
Jesus' death and resurrection enables us to participate in life fully. Because we realise in Jesus' death: the confusion and anger of humanity are greeted with the love and forgiveness of God. The harshness and violence of human beings are met with the mercy and patience of God. The disappointment and despair of life can be transformed into the hope and life of God.
This is the traditional Christian message of John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
A Christian is someone who has put their faith in God's provision of Jesus and entered into a life in relationship with God.
Rev. Owen Goddard.
About the Minister
Owen attended St Alban’s Lindfield Anglican Church as a child and into his 20’s, where he led youth groups, adult fellowship groups, taught Sunday School, sang in the choir and served on the Parish Council.
He obtained an Arts degree from Macquarie University in Communications, English and History. He worked in the insurance industry for 3 years and at the time married Christine.
Christine has worked at Tara Anglican School for Girls for the last 18 years and currently works there as a Christian Studies teacher.
Owen studied at Moore Theological College from 1984-87. While studying he worked in the Parish of Pitt Town and at St. Thomas’ Kingsgrove. He has served as assistant minister at both St. Matthew’s Merrylands and in the parish of Shellharbour. Owen worked as a minister in charge at St. Stephen’s Lugarno, where he served for almost 13 years. He has been the minister in charge of the parish of All Saints since February 2005. Owen and Christine have 2 adult daughters.
All Saints’ Church Building
All Saints is one of the most beautiful Churches in Sydney and represents one of the best examples of the Victorian Academic Gothic style of architecture among our early Australian churches. It was built on land left in the will of the Reverend Samuel Marsden, who also bequeathed 200 pounds for the erection of the building. The building was designed by James Houison and was started in 1846 and completed in 1847. The church was consecrated by Bishop Broughton of Sydney on January 27th, 1848.
As it was too small for the congregation, it was extended in 1862, and the steeple was added.
All Saints’ War Memorial Hall
The All Saints War Memorial Hall was built by Parishioners in 1926. For many years it was the larger of the two Parish halls, which were next to the tennis courts. About 30 years ago, the War Memorial Hall had some major changes, Toilets were added and the kitchen was refurbished.
The Stained Glass Windows
The stained glass windows have been ranked as some of the most impressive in Australia. The main window above the Communion Table is dedicated in memory of the Rev. Robert Forrest, the first headmaster of the King's School, Parramatta in the early 1840's and also an assistant minister of St John's (with responsibility for the Christians meeting on the north side of Parramatta River).
Another magnificent window, above what is now the organ loft, was unveiled and dedicated in 1946 by the Duke of Gloucester and the Archbishop of Sydney. This was a gift of the parishioners in grateful remembrance of the Pioneers of the church, and it depicts the Ascension of our Lord. The last words recorded from the lips of Jesus before He went up into heaven were "You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8).
All Saints’ Bells
The ring of bells at All Saints is a full octave rung in the traditional English fashion with rope and wheel. All Saints is one of only 45 churches in Australia that has such a ring and is one of the oldest. The largest (tenor) bell weighs about 11 cwt (550 kgs).
Traditional English change ringing is practiced at All Saints and the team rings each Sunday for service and practice on Wednesday evenings (7.15 - 8.30). A new member on the team requires a year to come up to Service ringing standard and at least another year to become anything like an expert. Visitors are always welcome on Wednesday evenings.
A History of all saints
All Saints was built on land left in the will of the Reverend Samuel Marsden. Who also bequeathed 200 pounds for the erection of the building. The building was designed by James Houison and was started in 1846, and was completed in 1847. The church was consecrated by Bishop Broughton of Sydney on January 27th, 1848.
As it was too small for the congregation, it was extended in 1862, and the steeple was added.
All Saints is one of the most beautiful Churches in Sydney and represents one of the best examples of the Victorian Academic Gothic style of architecture among our early Australian churches.
1822 — Rev. Samuel Marsden chose the land, gifted it to the church and later bequeathed Two Hundred Pounds to build it.
1838 — A new parish was established called the Field of Mars, later known as Marsfield.Rev. Robert Forrest, the first headmaster of The Kings School, was appointed assistant minister of the parishes of St Johns and Field of Mars.
23rd May 1846 — The Foundation Stone was laid, eight years after Marsden’s death.
Sunday 31st October 1847 — The Church opened for Worship, with seating for 500 persons.
Thursday 27th January 1848 — All Saints was consecrated by Bishop Broughton, Bishop of Sydney.
1850 — The church was found to be too small.
1857 — An All Saints’ School was built corner of Sorrel and Albert Street - later moved to be beside the Memorial Hall.
1859 — Edmund Blackett was consulted, and a decision made to add two more bays to the church, move the chancel eastwards and build the vestry in its present position on the south side of the chancel.
1st June 1861 — Operations began to erect a spire.
1862 — The Church as it stands today was completed.
9th October 1926 — All Saints Memorial Hall opened.
22nd July 2012 — All Saints’ Anglican Ministry Centre opened.
All Saints’ Ministry Centre
On 22nd July 2012 Bishop Ivan Lee with representatives from Parramatta Council, Moore College, the Premier Building Group, Intelligent Architecture, as well as present and past members of All Saints' dedicated the new Ministry Centre.
Thank you to all those who have contributed in so many ways to its being built.
