… An Historical Perspective
Our roots are traced back to 1956 when Rev Robert MacArthur of the Pymble Presbyterian Church commenced preaching in an expanding and developing suburb of St Ives.
The original venue was the Masonic Hall, with Wilf McGilvray and Charles Brierley, in particular, door knocking to establish a Sunday School.
In 1957, it was agreed to purchase 2 blocks of land at the corner of Mona Vale Road and Douglas Street for $11,000. A Church Hall was completed at a cost of $18,000 and opened on Sunday, 1st April 1962 by the Moderator of North Sydney Presbytery, Rev. Harold Durbin.
On 1st January 1963, St. Ives was declared a sanctioned Charge, the induction of Rev. Lock Finlay was held on Thursday, 4th July. He remained at the Presbyterian, then Uniting Church, until his retirement in 1991.
Talks commenced in the 1960s between the Congregational, Methodist and Presbyterian Churches that culminated with Church Union in June 1977. The majority of the St. Ives Congregation voted to join the Uniting Church, a minority wished to remain Presbyterian.
Buoyed by like-minded members from other Presbyterian Churches (predominantly Pymble, Turramurra and Wahroonga), a viable St Ives-Pymble congregation was formed soon after Union and it continued ministry, though now from the St Ives Girl Guides Hall. In 1980 this Congregation was able to purchase its current buildings and a manse, it relocated its ministries almost immediately.
… A Current Perspective
The ministry of the St Ives-Pymble Presbyterian Church has been an interesting one. In God’s providence and through the commitment of members, gospel outreach has continued from here, often to a wide cross-section of the community. However, in recent times, this work has plateaued and in some ways retreated.
Rev Steven North was inducted as minister at St Ives-Pymble PC in October 2017. The Congregation called Steve after a period of self-examination and assessment during which it recognised the need to re-engage with local schools, organisations and people. Steve and Lisa are empty nesters (having raised five children) who have been in ministry for more than twenty years, predominantly in places that have needed to take the gospel back into local homes.
At the time of writing, the Congregation at St Andrews is encouraged. The population and ethnic diversity of the St Ives-Pymble region are still growing, so the opportunity to share Jesus’ Gospel is ever-increasing. In biblical terms, the fields are ready for harvest.
Rev. Samuel Choi who served the congregation with Rev. Steve North has now been inducted as the minister since the 19th of May 2023. Through God's providence, we have a Sunday School of more than 10 children who regularly attend with their parents.
If you would like to talk about what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ or would like some more information about St Ives-Pymble Presbyterian Church and the gospel work done here, please contact Samuel or one of our Elders.
… Our Minister
Rev Samuel Choi
… Our Elders
In August 2023, the Eldership consists of
- Vicki Rees (Session Clerk)
- Jill Stevenson
- Kerrin McCormack
- Hani Sammons
- Samuel Choi