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St Paul's Colo Vale

St Paul's Colo Vale

As with many other congregations, St Pauls Colo Vale has its origins in small cottage meetings which were held whenever and wherever a minister could attend.

The church land was bought from Mr Barton Bradley for 10 pounds on 1st August,1884, having been surveyed without fee by Mr Edward Knapp. The opening of the church which was subsequently built was 29th November, 1884. It was described as being 40 feet long by 20 feet wide, built of weatherboard with stone foundations, roofed with American red wood shingles, nicely lined and painted inside and had cost one hundred and eighty one pounds sixteen shillings and five pence. It was eventually licensed on 8th July, 1908, this date being firmly established by the certificate which is proudly displayed in the church. The building was heated by an open fire place. The chimney was removed in 1983.

The National Trust however, brings confusion when it states it its Inspection bulletin (No. 234 25/10/75) that the church was built by Edward Carr Horden, a prominent parishioner, who lived at Wensley Dale (opposite St Pauls). He was a foundation member of the firm of Horden Brothers in Sydney and is said to have named the Colo Vale church after St Pauls, Chatswood where he was married.

However, a St Stephens balance sheet for 1887 provides strong evidence which favours the earlier date and name.

Over the years there have been a number of additions to the building a vestry (built after 1915, now forming the hall to the kitchen), a porch (about 1938) and a kitchen and toilet block (in the 1980s).

St Pauls Colo Vale is a branch church of Mittagong Parish.