Former St Bernards Church
Hartley Historic Site
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.
- Where
- 47 Old Great Western Highway, Hartley, NSW, 2790 - in Hartley Historic Site
- Venue is suitable for
- Christenings and wedding ceremonies
- Capacity
-
Maximum people: 100
There is space at the church for 100 seated and 20 standing guests. - Facilities
- Toilets, electric power
- Fees
-
$850 for a ceremony including a rehearsal in the week prior to the wedding. Contact Hartley Visitor Centre for fees for other services.
- Availability
-
Available to hire 7 days a week except 25 and 31 December, and 1 January.
Venue available for exclusive hire - Bookings
- Bookings are required. To make a booking or for more information contact Hartley Visitor Centre.
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. It also provides impressive backdrops for photographs of your special day or event.
Also see
-
Hartley Courthouse
Providing a rare vivid glimpse into Australia’s colonial past, Hartley Courthouse is the perfect venue for history buffs, or for those just looking for a venue hire option with a uniquely historic flavour.
-
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.
-
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.
Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/venues/former-st-bernards-church/local-alerts
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.
Venue info
All the practical information you need to know about Former St Bernards Church.
Getting there and parking
On entering Hartley Historic Site, you'll find Former St Bernards Church opposite Hartley Courthouse and next to Hartley Historic Site Visitor Centre.
Road quality
- Sealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles
Weather restrictions
- All weather
Parking
Adequate parking on a gravel surface is available for all functions.
Facilities
Venue hire inclusions:
- 9 pews for seating
- A lectern
- 1 day of wedding rehearsal permitted in the week prior to the event
Please return the church back to its original state after your event. There may be a fee if excessive waste is left behind, if the church is damaged, or if significant cleaning is required.
Toilets
There are accessible toilets a 2min walk from the church, behind the Old Post Office building.
- Flush toilets
Electric power
There is power in the church available for limited use.
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.
Outside the church there's a lawn with no paths. You'll need to cross over sloping grass to get around this area.
The nearest accessible toilets are 2min walk away behind the Old Post Office building.
Permitted
Food and drink:
Celebratory drinks and canapes are permitted outside the church only.
Plant materials
Flower arrangements containing no seed material. A florist can arrange this for you on request.
Structures, staging, furniture and amusements
Outdoor events:
- Weighted free-standing decorative items such as bridal arches, red carpet and columns.
- 15 chairs with rail-style legs and 3 tables no larger than 3m square
Commercial filming and photography
- 1 photographer and 1 photographer's assistant, 1 videographer and 1 videographer's assistant
- Commercial photography and video, including drone use, may be permitted on application. You’ll need a small-scale photography license.
Power, lighting and amplified sounds
Internal power is available. A small public address system may be used.
Pets
You can bring your dog to Hartley Historic Site, but it must be kept on a leash and outside of buildings.
Prohibited
Alterations to the existing internal or external fabric of the building are not permitted:
- Tacks, nails, florist putty or similar are not to be used as part of any decoration.
- Please do not attach decorations to the walls
- Signs associated with your event must not be attached to any NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service asset, including signs, posts or trees.
Confetti, plant materials and rice are not permitted, including:
- Decorations consisting of flowers or plant materials that contain seeds or vines and exotic plant materials
- Throwing rice or petals
Candles and open flames are not permitted.
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
Operated by
- Hartley Visitor Centre
- 10am to 1pm and 1.30pm to 4pm. Closed Mondays, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
- 02 6355 2117
- hartley@environment.nsw.gov.au
- Farmers Inn, 51 Old Great Western Highway, Hartley 2790
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.
What's nearby:
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- Adventure sports (4)
- Birdwatching and wildlife encounters (3)
- Cafes and kiosks (1)
- Cycling (3)
- Environmental appreciation/study (3)
- Historic heritage (8)
- Other experiences (3)
- Photography (1)
- Picnics and barbecues (6)
- Road trips and car/bus tours (2)
- Sightseeing (13)
- Visitor centres (2)
- Walking (14)
- Waterfalls (7)
- Wildflowers (seasonal) (3)