Prospect's parish church

The entrance to St Bartholomew's chgurchyard (except on the one day each year when the church itself is open) is the open gate some way down Pands Road from the Prospect Highway. In 1909 William Freame wrote in his newspaper article, "Old Prospect,"

Upon the rise of another hill is St Bartholomew's Church of England, an interesting old church, founded largely on the efforts and generosity of the Lawsons of Veteran Hall and Greystanes, the Westons of Horsley, and the Crawfords of Hill End The church was opened in 1844 It is a large, square red brick structure, and faces the Blue Mountains, which are distinctly visible from the churchyard, within which repose the mortal remains of many notable old pioneers of the surrounding districts. Among the clergy who have at different times held its incumbency may be mentioned the Revs T Donkin, who is buried in Kurrajong churchyard, G N Wood, BA, John Spooner, B Guinness, afterwards of Pitt Town, J Howell-Prior, subsequently rector of St Peter's, Richmond, and George Middleton, the present incumbent being the Rev J Vaughan-Rose. (Nepean, 25 September 1909).

The church is no longer used for worship and the building is open just one day a year, together with the closed section of the churchyard where Lawson's body lies in a lead coffin in the family vault (Prospect HT). The Blue Mountains are no longer visible from the churchyard due to the growth of trees in the immediate vicinity. The cemetery however is still in use'

Freame continued:

As may be expected, the old churchyard contains the graves of many of the old pioneers of the district, some of whom were notable settlers in the early days of New South Wales, particularly Lt Wm Lawson, who it will be remembered, discovered with G Blaxland and W O Wentworth, a track across the Blue Mountains; Major and Mrs Weston, whose connection with Col Johnston reminds us of another notable event in Australian history, viz, the deposing of Governor Bligh; Capt Brabyn of Windsor, although not buried in Prospect, was a landowner there (ibid.).

On the north side of the church some of the historic headstones and vaults are protected by railings. You may be able to identify some names.

Walk round to the far (south side) of the church and note the views of Prospect Hill. The nearest summit (on the left) is Prospect Lookout (identified by the electricity pole near its summit). To the right of it is the highest point, Greystanes Hill (above a black and white striped building which is a call centre). Further right the Moreton Bay fig tree of One Tree Hill is clearly seen on its rocky bluff. The rock faces of the inside of the ridge can be seen, followed by the Gap, the South Top and Reservoir Hill to the nearer end of the ridge and finally Water Tower Hill with its two water towers partly obscured by trees.