StSwithuns

St Swithun’s Anglican church celebrated its centenary in July 2001, the anniversary of the first Anglican church service held in Pymble on 14 July 1901. It was a branch of St John’s Gordon where the rector was the Rev RR King. Until they built their own church they met in Pymble Community Hall, opposite the present church site in Telegraph Road.

The first church building, a modest wooden hall,  was erected in 1912 on land sold to the congregation by the Pymble family.

St Swithun’s became a separate parish shortly after World War I, in 1920, one of a number of new parishes created at this time. Its rectors have all been Evangelicals: HJ Noble (1920-1935), AL Wade (1936-1947), C Baker (1947-1972), A Funnell (1972-1976), RC Kerle (1976-1982), BA Jobbins (1983-1992), D Gilmour (1993-1994) and RH Chilton (1996-).Most of the rectors have had long tenures and  some were senior clergy of the diocese.

The present church building, of Hawkesbury sandstone, was completed during World War II. A hall and extensions were added later.

While Evangelical in churchmanship,  St Swithun’s (Swiz) has had a tradition of looking to England for its identity, in particular to Winchester Cathedral, where Swithun was a bishop in the 9^th C. The faintly Gothic appearance of the stone church (built when most churches chose brick) underlines its penchant for English tradition. Swiz currently has a choir numbering over 30 members—now a rarity in a Sydney Anglican church.

But St Swithun’s is not mired in the past. It has a vibrantly active ministry team and congregation. It encourages the ministry of women in leadership and teaching. Its four Sunday services offer a diverse range of worship styles, from traditional to very informal, and a great variety of Bible study and support and interest groups.

The parish centenary history, Living Stones. St Swithun’s Pymble 1901-2001 by Marcia Cameron, is available for sale from the Church Office @ $25.00.