A temple and three churches
Sixteen people enjoyed learning more about four of Glebe’s religious buildings on an afternoon walking tour. Our starting point was the heritage-listed Sze Yup Temple hidden behind walls in Edward St. The Temple guardian introduced us to the Taoist prayer rituals and explained the purposes of the different parts of the temple. Everyone is welcome to visit the Temple.
St Scholastica’s chapel is a small private place of worship used by the nuns of St Scholastica’s convent and open on special occasions. The chapel has beautiful paintings, stained glass windows and furniture including some handcrafted wooden pieces, and is also known for wonderful acoustics. Richard Bonynge who visited some years ago said that the acoustics for song were as great as anywhere else in the world!
The beautiful glass windows were the focus of our stop at St James Catholic Church in Woolley St. This church has an attractive and warm interior, with kauri pine and painted tiles, and glass windows by well-known 20th century stained glass designers, Ashwin and Radecki, as we heard from expert Ann Wark.
St John’s is the oldest church on the visit, inspired by Edmund Blackett and completed in 1870. The organ has survived since 1885. The church interior contains elaborate stone carvings and fine stained glass windows. St John’s’ Kerrie Newton, kindly served a delicious afternoon tea with scones from Bakers Delight Glebe.
We were warmly welcomed by the custodians or priest or minister of each place of worship and were treated to interesting information and history at each location. Thank you to you all.
Thank you to Margaret Cody who arranged the walk.
