St. James Church, Sydney

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Lithograph of St James Church c. 1836 by Robert Russell
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Lithograph of St James Church c. 1836 by Robert Russell
St. James Church today
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St. James Church today

St. James Church is an Anglican church on King Street in Sydney, Australia, known by Sydneysiders as St. James King Street. It was designed by the convict and architect Francis Greenway and consecrated in 1824. The building was originally designed to serve as a courthouse - a purpose betrayed by the unusual classical form and central positioning of the northern porch (which also serves as the main entrance) - but was modified prior to construction as a church with the addition of a steeple at the western end. St James railway station is named for and sited beneath the edifice.

Dan Cruickshank described the church as one of the world's eighty greatest man-made treasures, in his television series Around the World in 80 Treasures.

As the first Anglican church in the colony, St James has a special role in the religious and social life of Sydney. For example, the beginning of the legal year is marked with a service attended by the Supreme Court justices in ceremonial costume.

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Anglican Church of Australia

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