St Stephen's in Bylong is one of the rarest and most significant country churches in the state, so a fundraising appeal has been launched to continue its restoration and return it to its former glory in time for its 150th birthday.
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Seven stages of work have been identified, the first three of which have been completed since November 2017 - including major restorations of roofing, guttering, power, water, drainage and levelling.
With further work ahead to the interior and some expensive stone and concrete pieces, the Friends of St Stephen's Bylong Inc (FOSSB) has joined with the National Trust set up the conservation appeal to raise $40,000.
David Mort, representing the local branch of the National Trust, explained the importance of the building at the official launch on Friday.
"Apart from its fine lines of symmetry, this building is an important item of heritage - not only for Bylong, but for our wider shire and beyond," he said. "St Stephen's is an integral part of NSW's country worship story and one of the dwindling architectural marks of rural religious life. So many churches like St Stephen's have been sold off, moved, or demolished. This church will be 150 years old in 2026 and is one of the earliest stone churches in NSW."
Project manager Peter Monaghan said that they are looking to build a kitty of funds in order to be in a position to apply for dollar-for-dollar grants.
"It could well be worth investigating whether this church is worthy of being state heritage listed, it's currently on Mid-Western Regional Council's local heritage register which will get you a $4,000 grant once every five years that you have to match on a dollar-for-dollar basis," he said. "The advantage, if we can get this building and its cemetery state listed, is it gives you the opportunity to possibly get more grants - but you still have to match it on a dollar-for-dollar basis.
"So hence the importance of the National Trust coming on board and helping us by setting up this tax-deductible, gift-recipient appeal."
So many churches like St Stephen's have been sold off, moved, or demolished. This church will be 150 years old in 2026 and is one of the earliest stone churches in NSW.
- David Mort, local National Trust representative
Among the work ahead involves the windows, this is a job of particular significance as it's reputed to be one of the first country stone churches with stained French glass. Furthermore, one of the its rarest pieces is the Radecki stained-glass window.
The piece was made as a tribute to local man and the designer's family friend Leslie King who died in WWII. Local historian John Broadley said that not only was it unusual for such an item to be found in a small country church, it's also signed by the designer who was clearly "so moved" that he made it during wartime when resources were directed elsewhere.
FOSSB chairman, Peter Grieve OAM, said, "the church is 150 years of age in seven years time and one would hope that there would be some official ceremonies to rededicate the church, so it would be really nice to have the majority of that work finished by then".
"So we have quite a challenge ahead of us to try and raise sufficient money."
For more information or to donate, please contact Mr Grieve on 0428 365 947 and visit the Facebook page.
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