The earliest European settlers in Port Macquarie had a decision to make: Do you first build a jail or a church when establishing a penal colony?
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According to archivists at St Thomas' Anglican Church, Governor Macquarie opted to build the latter.
"Governor Macquarie opted to build a 'church on the hill' in Port Macquarie rather than build a jail because he believed there was more chance of saving souls through a church," said archivist Lorryl Rumble-Fuller.
St Thomas' will be front and centre for a series of talks during Heritage Day (part of Heritage Month) on Saturday May 11.
This year Heritage Month in the Hastings is about connecting people, places and the past, Ms Rumble-Fuller said.
"Along with fellow archivist Carol Chandler, we will be talking about the first few ministers between the 1820s and the 1870s," she said.
"This will include their role in providing spiritual guidance and ministration to this very isolated penal colony.
"The Reverend Thomas Hassall, the first appointee in 1824 followed by the Reverend John Cross (Parson Cross) 1828, provided spiritual guidance to male and female convicts, to the military, to those in the asylum, families of convicts and military staff and eventually free settlers.
They were accustomed to minister in church, jail, asylum and hospital and all people residing on the Hastings, Wilson, Macleay and Manning Rivers.
- Lorryl Rumble-Fuller
"They were accustomed to minister in church, jail, asylum and hospital and all people residing on the Hastings, Wilson, Macleay and Manning Rivers."
Ms Rumble-Fuller said Port Macquarie was the most isolated of all the settlements in the newly formed colony.
"It was a mammoth calling," she added.
Heritage Day is a family event with an opportunity to connect with the 195 year history of the convict built St. Thomas' Church.
The day includes interesting history and facts for all age groups, great food and live entertainment, tours and stalls and guided tours of the church, Colonial Chapel and surgeon's cellar.
Port Macquarie history and storytelling is from 10.30am until 11.30am while there will be displays of heritage maps, drawings and photographs.
Cake stalls, garden stall, youth group car wash, jumping castle and Devonshire tea and barbeque round out events.
"We encourage visitors to come along and view 195 years of living history. And you can also check out the view from the top of the tower too," Ms Rumble-Fuller said.
Heritage Day on Church Hill is at St Thomas' Anglican Church on Saturday May 11, 9.30am until 1pm. The church is at 50 Hay Street.
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