In an earlier post I said that I will keep people informed about proposed plans for the celebration of the bicentenary of the Laying of the Foundation Stone by Governor Lachlan Macquarie at St Matthew’s Anglican Church in Windsor in 2017. St Matthew’s and its associated graveyard are historically significant to the state of NSW and to the Hawkesbury area. The church has been the centre of spiritual life in the district since it was consecrated by the Reverend Samuel Marsden in 1822, with many families marking marriages, baptisms and deaths over several generations. The cemetery at St Matthew’s has been in use since former convict, later appointed Chief Constable and Magistrate, Andrew Thompson, was buried there in 1810. There are a number of First Fleeter gravesites in St Matthew’s cemetery and twelve of those are marked with plaques from the Fellowship of First Fleeters. The Repairs and Restoration Committee is at present looking at publishing a new edition of the St Matthew’s book for the 200th anniversary of Francis Greenway’s most famous landmark. While 2017 might seem a long way off, it’s not too early to start planning. During the lead-up to the Bicentenary, family societies and/or descendants of those who have current or former connections with the church are invited to celebrate their association with St Matthew’s by holding reunions, commemorative services or family get-togethers at the church.

The organising committee now has an email address so if you are interested in keeping up-to-date with what is happening, please send your name and contact details to stmatthewsbicentenary@windsoranglican.asn.au and your name will be passed to the committee.