When the Anglican Diocese of Bathurst decided to dispose of St Paul's, a little church located in Warraderry on the Gooloogong Road approximately 20 kilometres from Grenfell, community members gathered together to purchase it in October of 2024.
Relatives of the Jones family, along with several of their friends raised funds to purchase it from the Diocese due to its history relating to the Jones family and early settlers in the Warraderry Valley.
It is hoped to still use it as a non denominational church and use for services and celebratory occasions.
Currently, there are plans in the works for members of the Jones family to gather in October, 2026 to celebrate 150 years since the family settled in the Warraderry Valley.
Sally Jones has put together a brief history of St Paul's Church at Warraderry.
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Just before the start off World War 1 a decision was taken to build a church, The then Bishop of Bathurst, Bishop George Merrick Long, selected a site on the Gooloogong Road near the 13 mile post. But hopes for the church were dashed when war broke out, and services continued in homesteads.
A few years after the war ended a determined effort was made to revive the effort to build the church. led by the then Rector of Holy Trinity, the Rev. P.S Moore who made a canvass of the district.
Following this canvass of the district, he was soon armed substantial promises, sufficient for plans to be drawn up for a brick church.
Bishop Long laid the Foundation Stone in January 1924. On the site previously selected, (3 roods, 10 perches, just under an acre) was sold to the Diocese by The Jones Bros for 4 Pounds on 23 January 1923.
Although a start on the actual building was delayed for some months, ( with bricks being made on site) it was completed for Bishop Long to take the Dedication Service on 29 August 1924.
It was built and furnished for about 1200 Pounds and opened free of debt. The building committee was Jas. Jones, A.Jones & J.M. Holland. Among the top list of donors were the Jones brothers who donated 500 pounds.
Windows on the eastern end were erected by the Jones brothers in memory of Archibald Jones (killed at Goulburn), the centre window to the late Charles Jones and the other to John Jones.
The altar gift of The Rolls Family in memory of Mrs Thomas Rolls.
A list is available of all the donations for furniture and other items including the Organ, Communion Chalice and Paten, Cruet and Bread Box. Candlesticks, Cross, Vases, Bible, Hymn books, and Altar linen.
For more information on St Paul's Church, contact Sally Jones on 0412353119.
