BELONGING AND PARTICIPATING
OUR PARRAMATTA COMMUNITY
As part of the Parramatta community, the Leigh Memorial worship community has been a regular participant and/or supporter of Parramatta’s ‘people and culture’ scene for many years, including as a site for Council’s popular ‘Parramatta Lanes’ Festival when able. As a worship community, we are excited to be part of Parramatta’s vibrant arts, music, educational and sporting life – and to be worshipping in the heart of an ever-expanding and dynamic Parramatta CBD. We look forward to many future opportunities to connect with, and support, our incredible Parramatta community!
BAPTISMS, WEDDINGS AND FUNERALS
Leigh Memorial Uniting Church offers open opportunities for baptisms, weddings and re-renewal of vows ceremonies, plus funeral services – and adjacent hall and self-catering facilities. Reasonable fees and additional support are available. Bookings/enquiries via the Parramatta Mission office, 9891-2277 or our Leigh Memorial email.
OPEN CHURCH
When available, our ‘Open Church’ program at Leigh Memorial takes place on weekdays, offering a quiet, accepting space for members of the public to pray and rest in the peaceful atmosphere of the church. NB: Open Church is not currently in operation. Those wishing to visit the church or attend worship, are encouraged to do so on a Sunday, with services taking place throughout the morning and early afternoon. Please check the website for further information about service times.
UCA, COMMUNITY, ECUMENICAL, INTER-FAITH
The Leigh Memorial worship community has a long-standing commitment to interactive church, community, ecumenical and inter-faith programs. In recent years, we have hosted Sydney Alliance, ‘International Day of Peace’ Inter-Faith prayer services, Interfaith Community Peace Dinners, ‘Parramasala’ mornings, Abraham Conferences, and Ecumenical Council of NSW events – while also continuing to support the work and witness of our fellow Uniting Churches (UCA). We are active members and supporters of Parramatta Mission, the Parramatta City Uniting Church, the Sydney Alliance and various programs of the Parramatta-Nepean Presbytery of the Uniting Church in Western Sydney and the UCA’s Synod NSW/ACT.
FRIENDSHIP GROUP & RUGS GIVING PROGRAM
Our Friendship Group (for all ages, inc. Seniors) enjoys regular social lunches and participation in fundraising activities, inc. a community outreach program involving the production of multiple hand-knitted and crocheted rugs for donation to Parramatta Mission’s and Uniting’s community, women’s and crisis accommodation programs. Further information about the rugs giving initiative is available via the congregation email.
CHILDREN & YOUTH/YOUNG ADULTS
The Leigh Memorial worship community currently offers child-safe craft and learning activities to children attending our services, in addition to opportunities to participate in worship. Our youth/young adults also meet with other young people from the Parramatta City Uniting Church and the Parramatta-Nepean Presbytery as able, and join in various cultural, climate advocacy, enrichment, camping and creative programs. NB: All those working with children/ youth at Leigh Memorial Uniting Church are required to have current ‘Working with Children’ clearances.
HERITAGE
Leigh Memorial is a warmly valued heritage church in the Parramatta CBD (opened in 1885 and named in honour of the Mission’s first minister, Rev Samuel Leigh). It is the third church on Parramatta Mission’s Macquarie Street site, with a Methodist Chapel opening in 1821 and a second in 1839. The Parramatta Mission/Parramatta City Uniting Church Heritage Committee (est. 2009) oversees heritage matters for the church, including the preservation of its unique historical features and the care of its museum and archival collection. The committee also conducts historical research, liaises with the community and hosts heritage talks and tours of the church and associated sites for church and community groups. Our heritage publications are readily available for purchase, borrowing or viewing online. The Leigh Memorial stained glass windows (dating from 1885) are considered among the most beautiful and significant examples of Christian stained glass in Sydney, with the Leigh Memorial pipe organ (1879) considered a very special instrument. The church also has two unique war memorials (installed in 1923 and 1947), which are included in the national War Memorials Register.
Heritage enquiries and/or tour bookings may be made via the Parramatta Mission website or the congregation email: LeighMemorialUniting@gmail.com
LIBRARY
Our church library contains a catalogue of books relating to the Christian faith, church history, general history and personal development, which are currently available for reading or borrowing by prior arrangement on Sundays before and after worship.