Update on the restoration of the Historic Church at St Michael's in Baulkham Hills
Reviving Faith, Restoring Heritage. Support us in our efforts to restore the Old St Michael's Church and reconsecrate it as the Chapel of Our Lady of Ephesus.
About the Project
A community-driven effort to save one of Australia's oldest colonial sandstone chapels.
The historic old sandstone church at St Michael's Catholic Church in Baulkham Hills, built between 1844 and 1848, suffered decades of abandonment and failed revitalization efforts before a successful, community-funded restoration initiative began in 2025, breathing new life into the heritage site.
For generations, the pioneer-built sandstone chapel stood quietly off the main road. As the local Baulkham Hills community expanded, a larger modern church replaced the tiny 1848 building, leaving the original structure to face the elements alone.
Over the decades, well-meaning plans to revive the deteriorating building repeatedly stalled. Early committees lacked the funds, expert masonry support, or unified direction required to tackle a decaying slate roof and water-damaged interior walls. Hopes were raised and dashed multiple times, leaving the historic walls shrouded in scaffolding shadows and forgotten paperwork while the stonework crumbled further into neglect.
Everything shifted when the Parish of Baulkham Hills launched a focused, grassroots private fundraising campaign to repair and reconsecrate the old building as the Chapel of Our Lady of Ephesus.
With an estimated project cost between $400,000 and $500,000 AUD, the community rallied, raising over $140,000 AUD through direct donations and memorial brass plates. Progress since 2025 has been swift and visible.
Restoration Progress
Since 2025, the transformation of this heritage treasure has been swift and visible.
Stained Glass Windows
The delicate leadlight windows have been carefully mended and protected, allowing their golden glow to fill the chapel once more.
Sandstone & Doors
Interior sandstone walls have been meticulously cleaned of decades of grime, while heritage doors are being restored to their exact original 19th-century designs.
Roof & Timberwork
Slate roofing components have been restored to heritage standards and a new timber pine ceiling is scheduled for completion by September 2026.
What has been completed & what comes next
- Stained glass windows carefully mended
- Interior sandstone walls cleaned
- Heritage doors restored to original designs
- Slate roofing components restored
- Timber pine ceiling by September 2026
- Internal mural and sanctuary rendering
- Specialized indoor-outdoor lighting
- New timber pews to complete the interior
The Renewed Purpose of the Historic Church
Once restored, the historic church's renewed purpose is to dedicate to:
Sacred Worship and Prayer
Serving as an intimate, consecrated chapel for personal prayer, quiet reflection, and specialized liturgical celebrations such as baptism, weddings, funerals, and anniversaries.
Heritage Conservation
Preserving an irreplaceable 1840s colonial sandstone building and maintaining its physical and spiritual legacy for future generations of the local community.
The ongoing care and preservation of this building are managed respectfully as an active piece of our religious and architectural heritage. Restoring the stonework, roof, repairing the stained glass, and renewing the roof of a mid-19th-century heritage building is a major financial undertaking.
Support the Project
We warmly invite you to partner with us in saving this treasured local landmark. Contributions of any amount will directly fund ongoing restoration materials and labour.
As a special acknowledgment for significant gifts of $1,000 or more, donors will have their family name inscribed on a brass plate to be permanently placed against the interior back wall of the restored chapel.
Contact the Parish Office