The construction of the Ebenezer Church can be credited to the eight families who came to Australia as free settlers aboard the ‘Coromandel' in 1802. These eight families were granted 100 acres each on the banks of the Hawkesbury River at what was known as Portland Head. These people were of various denominations, but came together as one congregation. At a meeting in 1808 at the home of Dr Thomas Arndell, each family pledged itself to helping to construct a church & school. The cost of the buildings was 400 pounds, the money raised from voluntary contributions. There would be no assistance from the Government of finance or labour. The four acres that the buildings were to be erected on was donated by a local family. Andrew Johnston designed the buildings and supervised the construction. All the materials – sandstone, cedar wood and hardwood was locally obtained. Ebenezer Church is the oldest existing church in Australia . The cemetery is recognised as historically one of the most important in Australia . The records of the church were lost in the flood of 1867, so it is not known when the cemetery was first used. The oldest headstone is that of Sarah Gilkerson who died in May 1813. You can no longer purchase burial plots, but Ashes can be interred in the two columbariums.
~ looking more closely at the windows http://365project.org/annied/people-and-plac/2014-07-25
@vignouse I think they were better when material things were less important and being part of a community that helped each other mattered - not sure that fear of God mattered so much it was just people were less self involved
@kimkyra@kathiecb I would not have fit if that was a door - I am curious now to find out hahaha - the reason I am back is because it is time for my closer look - sorry for the belated intrusion
