The Garrison Church

 

The Garrison Church

Located within the historic Millers Point precinct, The Garrison Church (Holy Trinity) comprises the 1840s church and parish hall, formerly a school hall. While both buildings are listed on the NSW State Heritage Register, their separation constrained the evolving life of the parish. With no sheltered or accessible connection between them, gatherings, events and community programs were difficult to accommodate. The vibrant life of the church was hidden from view behind solid sandstone walls.

fjcstudio’s response introduces a light, transparent pavilion between the two buildings. Conceived as a sheltering tree, its floating timber roof forms a canopy for gathering, contrasting with the weight and solidity of the surrounding sandstone. The pavilion is pulled away from the existing buildings and set back from Lower Fort Street, retaining the primacy of the heritage facades and stained-glass windows. Full-height glazing maintains views to the sandstone walls and allows activity within to become visible from the public domain.

Through consultation with the parish, the pavilion evolved beyond its original role as a weatherproof link to become the social heart of the site: an arrival space, informal meeting place and setting for post-service gatherings and community programs. Together with renewed landscapes, a new amenities building, improved accessibility and the reorganisation of the hall, the project gives these heritage buildings renewed purpose, supporting the continuing life of the parish while strengthening its connection with the wider community.

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fjcstudio acknowledges all Aboriginal and Torres  Strait Islander peoples, the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we work.

We recognise their continuing connection to Country and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

We extend this acknowledgement to Indigenous People globally, recognising their human rights and freedoms as articulated in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.