Former St Bernards Church
Hartley Historic Site
Overview
Take a tour or arrange an event at Former St Bernards Church in Hartley, a lovingly preserved example of colonial sandstone architecture.
- Type
- Historic buildings/places
- Where
- 47 Old Great Western Highway, Hartley, NSW, 2790 - in Hartley Historic Site in Sydney and surrounds
- Accessibility
- Medium
- Price
-
$8.80 for adults or $6.60 for concession (including students, seniors and pensioners). Children under 5 are free.
- Opening times
Former St Bernards Church is:
- Open for pre-booked tours.
- Please contact Hartley Historic Site on (02) 6355 2117 or email for further information.
- Hire this venue
Former St Bernards Church is available for events and function hire.
- Please note
- The church no longer functions as a Catholic church as of 1 November 2024.
- For tours, please book ahead on (02) 6355 2117.
The beautiful pale sandstone Former St Bernards Church was built by local stonemason Alexander Binning, probably from a Gothic prototype. Before it was built, services had to be held in Hartley Courthouse, with the first priest arriving from Ireland in 1838. The stonework was completed in 1846, but the windows and altar came later.
St Bernards remained the parish church until the mid-1880s when services transferred to Lithgow, but it hosted the occasional service until 1963. Careful renovations have kept the building in a beautiful condition. It's a well-preserved and pretty church that's well worth a look around. You can also take great photographs in the grounds for any occasion, even just a day trip.
Hire this venue or stay:
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Former St Bernards Church
Providing a rare vivid glimpse into Australia’s colonial past, Former St Bernards Church is the perfect wedding venue for history buffs, or for those just looking for a venue hire option with a uniquely historic flavour.
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St Bernards Presbytery
Stay at deluxe St Bernards Presbytery cottage for a romantic getaway. Located only 15 minutes from Mount Victoria, it’s the perfect spot to immerse yourself in Hartley Historic Site’s colonial past.
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Old Trahlee
Old Trahlee is unavailable for bookings until further notice. This restored colonial cottage is located in Hartley Historic Site, at the foot of the Blue Mountains.
Map
Map legend
Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/historic-buildings-places/former-st-bernards-church/local-alerts
General enquiries
- National Parks Contact Centre
- 7am to 7pm daily
- 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) for the cost of a local call within Australia excluding mobiles
- parks.info@environment.nsw.gov.au
Park info
- in Hartley Historic Site in the Sydney and surrounds region
Hartley Historic Site is open every day but access may be limited at times due to fire danger, school bookings or organised events.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Former St Bernards Church.
Getting there and parking
On entering Hartley Historic Site:
- Former St Bernards Church is opposite Hartley Courthouse and next to Hartley Historic Site Visitor Centre
Road quality
- Sealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles
Weather restrictions
- All weather
Parking
Gravel street parking is available close to Former St Bernards Church, including bus parking.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you at Hartley Historic Site. Here are some of the highlights.
Spring
Enjoy the village as the days grow warmer and the trees are in blossom.
Summer
Bring the kids in the school holidays and step inside the amazing coolness of Hartley Courthouse, with its thick sandstone walls.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
12°C and 25°C
Highest recorded
38.4°C
Winter temperature
Average
1°C and 13°C
Lowest recorded
–8°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
January
Driest month
September
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
179mm
Facilities
Public toilets, including an accessible toilet, are located behind the Old Post Office building, around 2mins walk away.
Seats and resting points
There's a bench seat outside the church. You'll need to cross over sloping grass to reach it.
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - medium
Former St Bernards Church is set on a grassy hill. There are 2 entrances to the building:
- The front entrance has 2 stone steps and a double door
- The back entrance has 3 stone steps and a single door
There's a portable ramp that's available on request to help people with reduced mobility access the church. The friendly staff at the visitor centre can assist in setting this up.
There's a lawn outside the church. You’ll need to cross over a combination of sloping grass and gravel pathway to get around this area.
The nearest accessible toilets are 2min walk away behind the Old Post Office building.
Prohibited
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas.
Visitor centre
-
Hartley Historic Site Visitor Centre
Farmers Inn, 51 Old Great Western Highway, Hartley 2790 - 10am to 1pm and 1.30pm to 4pm. Closed Mondays, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
- 02 6355 2117
Learn more
Former St Bernards Church is in Hartley Historic Site. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
Aboriginal meeting place
Hartley Historic Village is set in a landscape of great and continuing importance to Aboriginal people who have lived on and passed through this land for thousands of years.
A tor, or cluster of granite rocks known as Kew-Y-Ahn to local Aboriginal people, is said to have been a meeting place for the Wiradjuri People from the west and Gundungurra People from the east.
Excellent bushwalking on historic roads
The Hartley area is great for bushwalking. Kew-Y-Ahn Bells Rock Heritage Walking Track is a 600m return walk to a striking granite tor with valley views. Rowsons River walk is a 1km loop by the river and Rowsons Hut remains.
Outside the village, you may like to set out on Lawson's Long Alley, Lockyer's Pass or Berghofer's Pass. Hartley’s rural setting is welcoming and peaceful – perfect for a picnic or a satisfying stroll.
- Corneys Garage Nestled in the heart of Hartley Historic Site is Corneys Garage. Browse through a beautiful selection of antiques, while enjoying an immersive shopping experience near Lithgow.
- Hartley Historic Site Visitor Centre Stop in at Hartley Historic Site Visitor Centre to find out about the history of the buildings and town, book tours, and stock up on snacks and drinks.
- The Postmistress Cafe and Store The Postmistress Cafe and Store is in Hartley Historic Village, midway between Mount Victoria and Lithgow. Oozing rustic charm, this quaint cafe is the perfect stopover when visiting Hartley.
The story of settlement
This exceptionally well-maintained village is of national historical significance as a substantial early nineteenth-century settlement. It tells modern visitors a great deal about the expansion of European development in inland Australia and the beautiful old buildings illustrate the changing role and fortunes of Hartley from first settlement of the inland to the beginning of the motor transport era. Discover more interesting facts at the visitor centre or buy a ticket for a self-guided tour. Large groups can book in advance on (02) 6355 2117.
- Corneys Garage Nestled in the heart of Hartley Historic Site is Corneys Garage. Browse through a beautiful selection of antiques, while enjoying an immersive shopping experience near Lithgow.
- Former St Bernards Church Take a tour or arrange an event at Former St Bernards Church in Hartley, a lovingly preserved example of colonial sandstone architecture.
- Hartley Courthouse This fine example of colonial architecture allows you to imagine the convicts, magistrates and members of the public passing through its doors. Book a guided tour through Hartley Historic Site Visitor Centre.
- Hartley Historic Site Visitor Centre Stop in at Hartley Historic Site Visitor Centre to find out about the history of the buildings and town, book tours, and stock up on snacks and drinks.
- Hartley historical tour On this interactive Stage 3 (Years 5-6) History excursion, students visit key sites in the Hartley Historic Site colonial village: the courthouse, the gaol and St Bernards Church. They'll explore the history of how this key colony developed and take part in fun re-enactments with our Discovery Rangers.