Christ Church St Laurence
| Christ Church St Laurence | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| 33°52′55″S 151°12′18″E / 33.881856°S 151.204869°E | |
| Location | Railway Square, George Street Sydney |
| Country | Australia |
| Denomination | Anglican Church of Australia |
| Churchmanship | Anglo-Catholic |
| Website | www |
| History | |
| Founded | 1845 |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Anglican Diocese of Sydney |
| Clergy | |
| Rector | Daniel Dries |
| Assistant priest(s) | John Sanderson |
| Laity | |
| Director of music | Neil McEwan |
| Organist(s) | Peter Jewkes |
Christ Church St Laurence (CCSL) is an Anglican church in the Diocese of Sydney, Australia. The church is located at Railway Square in George Street, Sydney, near Central Station.
The church is named after Saint Laurence of Rome.
The interior of Christ Church has developed and changed over the years. The church was only completed sufficiently for occupation in 1845. The interior remains a work in progress. Numerous architects have contributed to this process, most notably colonial architect Edmund Blacket in the period 1844-1880 and John Burcham Clamp (1900–1922).
The ceiling was added and the columns clad in 1864. The stained glass was added gradually in the period 1845-1912. The marble steps were added to the sanctuary in 1885 and extended in 1929. The church was extensively renovated following the fire in 1905. The chancel was added in 1885 and renewed and expanded in 2004.
The church building was consecrated in 1845. William Horatio Walsh was appointed the first rector in April 1839 after a number of clergy served short terms as the “Minister of the Parish of St Lawrence”. Two notable and long-serving rectors were John Hope (1926–1964) and Austin Day (1964–1996). The current rector is Daniel Dries.
In contrast to the Evangelical character of most of the Anglican Diocese of Sydney, Christ Church has long been a church within the Anglo-Catholic tradition of Anglicanism, with a focus on social justice issues and liturgical worship, together with an emphasis on the sacraments. The tower contains a peal of ten bells hung for change ringing. They are reputed to be "the oldest ringing peal in Australia" and are regularly rung by members of The Australian and New Zealand Association of Bellringers. The church is especially noted for its choir. Along with the rectory, school and hall, the church is listed on the Register of the National Estate as well as having a New South Wales state heritage listing.
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