A meeting was called at the temporary Wesleyan Chapel at Bulli on Friday, August 21, 1863 for the purpose of discussing plans to establish a Wesleyan church in Bulli.

The Reverend William Kelynack, Superintendent of Wollongong Circuit presided at the meeting.

It was noted that initially the attendance was low at only 25 parishioners, consisting mostly of women, but soon that number swelled to about 90 when a number of men turned up.

Robert Somerville, a circuit steward, spoke after Mr Kelynack and said he was ashamed of the chapel that was established in 1854 at Wollongong.

After having viewed beautiful churches of other denominations, he wished we had one like that.

He held up an envelope that contained plans drawn up by Thomas Rowe, an architect of 438 George Street, Sydney.

Mr Somerville showed some concern at the cost of building such a fine church in Bulli.

However, John Somerville offered half an acre of land as a site for a church.

Mr Kelynack called for subscriptions, anything from £5 to £100.

In all, at that meeting £163-10 was pledged towards the building.

Tenders were called for construction work in three different quotations.

First - excavation and masonry; second - carpentry and finishing the interior, and third - a quotation for the whole work.

Tenders closed on November 16, 1863.

The plans could be viewed at the office of Mr Kelynack or Thomas Rowe's office in Sydney.

In all, 300 perch of quarried stone was required which included hearth stones and window sills.

The laying of the foundation stone took place on January 26, 1864, by George Somerville in the presence of Sir John Young, Governor of NSW, Mr Rowe, architect, and Benjamin Thackeray, a builder.

A niche was carved in the foundation stone so a bottle could be laid within with relevant newspapers of the day and other documents and items.

After the ceremony, the party proceeded to Bulli Point for a planned tea party which was almost spoilt by boisterous winds, though the 400 people present had an enjoyable day.

The new Wesleyan church was completed in less than 15 months and was officially opened on May 7, 1865.

At a meeting held in June 1872, it was explained that there was still a debt of £300 remaining on the building at an interest rate of 8 per cent, incurring an extra £24 per annum and a further 15 shillings on insurance premiums.

A robbery took place in October 1891 when thieves gained access through one of the windows, taking one of the Sunday School Mission donation boxes.

By 1922 the church was nearing its 60th anniversary and the ravages of time had taken its toll on the stone, roof and internal plaster.

Under the guidance of Sydney architects McCreadie and Anderson, the Thirroul builder, A. F. Webb, carried out the work.

Some of the older worshippers had Mr G. Hulme install memorial windows during the renovation.

For several months the church was closed for renovation and it was reopened on September 17, 1922, with a service led by the Reverend W. E. Bennett, principal from Leigh College, Enfield.

Australia Day 2015 marked the 151st anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone.

The Wollongong Advertiser recently disclosed that the foundation stone could no longer be located. On the day the stone was laid the Illawarra Mercury quoted: "Mr Somerville then smoothed the mortar that had been prepared, and the stone was lowered into its place".

Perhaps by that description the stone must have been a sandstone block with a niche carved to hold the bottle rather than the use of a marble tablet affixed to the wall. If that is the case, when the church was renovated in 1922 the stone may have needed replacing as part of the renovations.

If that assumption is correct then the time capsule containing copies of The Sydney Morning Herald, Illawarra Mercury, Illawarra Express, also the church Circuit Plan and the hymns sung at the Bulli Sunday School Anniversary will be lost forever.

Information courtesy of Carol Herben OAM.  Call 0409 832 854 or email sycado6@bigpond.net.au