Wesley Mission’s head office, conference centre and church facilities have a legacy that stems over a century. In 1906, the Hon Ebenezer Vickery, a dedicated Methodist and wealthy Parliamentarian, left the land Wesley Mission now resides on, as a gift in his Will.
A philanthropist, Ebenezer was passionate about the work and ministry of the Central Methodist Mission (now known as Wesley Mission), believing it had the capacity to influence the early Australian colony.
At the turn of the 20th century, Wesley Mission’s church building, located at Centenary Hall on York Street, became insufficient for our thriving congregation. So, Ebenezer put up his hand to help. After searching for an appropriate site, Ebenezer purchased the Lyceum in 1906, an adjoining hotel and land running back from Pitt Street to Castlereagh Street in Sydney. This property was entrusted to four trustees (members of Ebenezer’s family). Unfortunately, Ebenezer died in England just months later before the theatre was opened.
But by the latter half of that century, the expansion of our community services meant Wesley Mission were fast outgrowing the Lyceum Theatre. As Australia celebrated its national bicentenary, Wesley Mission moved its operation into temporary premises in George Street, while the Pitt Street centre was demolished right through to Castlereagh Street and totally rebuilt. In 1991 we moved back into the Pitt Street address – now a modern location appropriate to a progressive city mission.
Central to the building is the Wesley Church, which clearly demonstrates our focus is on God’s Word and God’s people. The Wesley Centre and Lyceum affirm that this was always meant to be a busy place, open to the public and welcoming to all.
And it stands today as a thriving centre, all thanks to Ebenezer’s vision and generosity. His legacy lives on over a century later in the heart of the Wesley Centre.
