SUNDAY WORSHIP
Ermington Fijian: 11.30am - Cnr. Trumper St & Victoria Rd, Ermington
Leigh Memorial: 9.30am & 7.00pm - 119 Macquarie St, Parramatta
Leigh Memorial Fijian: 11.30am - 119 Macquarie St, Parramatta
Westmead: 10.00am - Cnr. Queen & Hawkwsbury Rds., Westmead
Leigh Memorial Church is open for prayer Mon - Fri 9.00am - 2.00pm
Open Door at Westmead every Wednesday 1.00pm - 3.00pm
School for Seniors: Leigh: Thursday in school terms 9.30am -3.00pm
The congregational life of Parramatta Mission reflects the multicultural nature of the surrounding community. Like many city congregations, the primary focus is the Sunday service of worship. Here people gather in community to acknowledge and let go of the things that hinder their lives and to connect with the wisdom and strength to keep them going in an increasingly stressful and demanding world.
Each congregation is a network of care, with many supportive members playing a vital role, alongside the ministers, in supporting others who are sick, bereaved or suffering.
The two Fijian congregations bring a rich heritage of Fijian Methodist and a non- materialist culture based on sharing with a strong emphasis on ministry amongst children and young people.
SNAPSHOT
Meeting people in the Church is very important to me. I also enjoy meeting people from different countries in the Church services every Sunday morning. Both of these make me feel good.
On Sunday morning we share and listen to God's Word from our Minister. We sing hymns together and that is very peaceful. I am also very happy that I am in the Church Choir.
I am in the Open Church from Monday to Friday every week and that is a very important part of my week. I like to open the church and welcome people who come in with a smiling face and good manners. I believe it is my duty to do this for the church and for my God.
Jolame Ratumaiwai
LEIGH MEMORIAL
UNITING CHURCH SERVICES
Sunday Services:
9.30am, 11.30am (Fijian Service) & 7.00pm
Communion Services held one Sunday each month:
Morning service - First Sunday
Evening service - First Sunday
Holy Communion also offered every Wednesday
between 1.00pm - 3.00pm
Did you know this is the third church built on the site since 1821?
In 1820 Parramatta had a settlement of 1,200. In 1821 Walter Lawry built the first little stone chapel at his own personal cost. In 1839 the congregation built a second church which was largely an extension of the Walter Lawry Chapel. It was later named Macquarie Hall.
In 1883 a competition among architects was conducted and won by J. Tosh who designed the present church. The plan submitted was more expensive than originally thought and the galleries and pulpit were far too high. Both were lowered early this century. This can be seen by the way in which the lining underneath the galleries is covering the pitch of the Gothic shaped windows and the memorial tablet on the eastern side of the pulpit.
The church also originally had a spire, which was deemed unsafe and removed in 1921.
Remembering the past
Numerous memorial plaques around the church express and retain the memories of Leigh's families and those who served in both world wars.
Sabina Dowson's plaque is on the western wall of the church. Dowson and her family were members of the church in the early 1900s. A bequest in Dowson's will of 500 pounds in 1942 enable the congregation to finally clear the debt, which existed after the church's opening in 1885.
A sanctuary in the city
Along with Sunday Services the church is open daily during the week. The aim of the Open Church is to provide a sanctuary to people in the business and local community who come in for quiet reflection or pastoral care. The church belongs to the people of Parramatta and it provides a vital peace in this community.
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