Yesterday the newly erected church of St. John the Evangelist, Wollombi erected from the designs of Edmund Blackett, Esq., of Sydney, architect, was consecrated by the Lord Bishop of Newcastle, in the presence of a numerous congregation. At eleven o'clock, his Lordship, attended by his chaplains, the Rev. G. R. Boodle, M.A., and H. O Irwin, M.A., was met at the entrance of the church by the Rev. C. P. N. Wilton, M.A., acting as chancellor, C. Child, Esq., B.A., acting registrar, the Revds. R. T. Bolton, M.A., C. Spencer, M.A., R. Chapman, B.A., J. Cooper, J. Rodwell, E. Williams, and J. F. R. Whinfield, and some of the principal inhabitants of the district. The petition for consecration having been read by the acting registrar, his Lordship commenced the service of the day by reading the appropriate prayers; and the deed of consecration having been read by the chancellor, the service was proceeded with by the Rev. R. T. Bolton, the officiating minister; after which an excellent sermon was preached by Rev. H. O. Irwin, and the sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered by the Lord Bishop, assisted by the Rev. G. R. Boodle. After the service at the church was concluded, his Lordship, attended by the clergy and a great number of the inhabitants, proceeded to the burial ground prettily situated on the Maitland road, which was then consecrated according to the usual form. The church of St. John the Evangelist, which is the first church consecrated by the Lord Bishop of Newcastle is a neat specimen of the pointed Gothic style, and, though small, is a great ornament to the romantic valley of the Wollombi.

Maitland Mercury February 1849