St John's is an Anglican Parish in the Catholic tradition on the Balmain Peninsula.  It was established in 1882 and since that time has served the people in Balmain and Birchgrove and the workers on the adjacent islands, Cockatoo, Spectacle and Snapper.  This maritime involvement gave St John's, as the youngest Anglican church on the peninsula, a special character and role in Balmain.  The rectors acted as honorary chaplains to the Biloela Jail on Cockatoo Island and the to the floating reform school ships, Vernon and Sabraon moored off the island.

The original building, which was licensed for use on 16th June 1882, extended to the present chancel steps and cost ₤1,200.  The idea of adding classrooms to the building for a school was abandoned when state aid was withdrawn from denominational schools from the end of 1882.

The St John's Hall was built in 1884 at a cost of ₤368.  In 1911, Cyril Blaket submitted plans for a much more ambitious brick building complete with tower, but this was never pursued because of cost.  A kitchen was added in 1934 and four years later the staircase to the lower hall was moved to the outside of the building to enlarge both the stage and the hall below which, during the 1931 Depression and since it had facilities, was used as a soup kitchen for the unemployed.  In the 1960s, a further room was created under the main hall to be used as a meeting place and coffee shop for the younger folk after a service in the church.

Click here to learn more about the history of the organ