Sydney - St James' Church

St James's Church is Sydney's oldest church (1822). It is dwarfed by the 22-storey law courts building. With its double brick arches, subdivided windows and contrasting stone porticos it is a fine example of colonial Georgian. The tower was formerly a landmark for ships in the spacious harbor basin. Governor Macquarie had originally, in 1819, wanted to build a courthouse on the site, but John Bigge, the commissioner sent out from Britain to enquire into the finances of the colony, insisted on a church, and Francis Greenway had to alter his plans accordingly.