Sitting in the foothills of the Blue Mountains, St Mark’s Church in Greendale bears more than a century of history and a 40-year family legacy, now its on the market, awaiting its next chapter.
Set for auction this Saturday, the 178-year old church carries a history of serving the once-thriving farming community of Greendale.
Located at 1120 Greendale Road it has since been adapted for use as a private residence and transformed into a family home, now being offered to the market for its next owner.
1120 Greendale Road, Greendale
Inside the transformed St Mark’s Church
Inside the music room with organ
Constructed in 1848 to 1849, the Victorian Gothic Revival Church had its first service on February 09, 1850.
The residence carries a lasting legacy, outstanding natural disaster in the area from outbreak of wheat rust in the 1800s that caused many in Greendale, including farmers, to leave the district.
On January 04, 1903 the church was also damaged by a cyclone with the roofs of the vestry and nave removed.
In 1929 the church was closed as a centre of worship.
It has been in the Sullivan family for the past 40 years.
Vendor Mark Sullivan said the church was picked up in the 1980s and restored to a certain extent.
“Since then our family has been progressively restoring and building onto it, music rooms and conservatories and things like that,” he said.
“But ensuring that the integrity of the main building of the church was still intact.”
Historic images of St Marks cathedral. Pictures: Supplied
St Marks’ Church served the once-thriving farming community of Greendale
Internally, the church has been transformed with the addition of a second floor, living spaces, a modern kitchen and bathroom facilities while the building’s exterior retains many original features.
“We don’t think of it as a formal place of worship it’s just become a really cherished and loved home,” Mr Sullivan said.
“My father, when he retired, bought the property from a person that had bought it from the church.
“During the late 80s and early 90s, there was a big music room built, a conservatory and then there was general maintenance to ensure that the church itself was always in good nick and could stand up to the rigours of normal life and family life.”
Inside St Marks Church prior to conversion
An aerial map of the location
Mr Sullivan the family have all lived there at different periods and shared all of their Christmases at the home.
“My mother and father lived there when they retired,” he said.
“I lived there, my brother has lived there as well as my sister.
“It has a swimming pool, a big music room and a bunch of outbuildings, which really they’re not a part of the church itself.
“When you’re inside the church, there’s a big fireplace, kitchen and bedrooms.”
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Set for auction this Saturday, the residence sits on 1.5 acres of land
The residence is set for auction this Saturday May 02
It also carries architectural significance, built as an Edmund Blacket design, the architect responsible for St. Andrews Cathedral and Sydney University, along with various other designs.
“Since my parents have passed, over a decade ago now, it hasn’t been used for any commercial or any rental or anything like that,” Mr Sullivan said.
“We’re very excited – looking forward to the development which would take place with Bradfield and obviously with the new airport, because that brings so much more opportunity with transport, access and more people.
“I think that what we’re looking forward to is ensuring that whoever takes on the church from here has the same sort of passion and commitment that our family’s had for the last 40 years, ensuring that it’s going to probably last the next 200 years.”
The residence is listed for sale via Daniel Ritchie and Jarrod Green of LJ Hooker Oran Park set for auction this Saturday, May 02.
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