Leaving a Gift in Your Will

A gift in your will is one of the most enduring ways to support music and heritage at St James’ Church, King Street. It costs nothing during your lifetime, and its benefit continues indefinitely.

Why your support matters

 
Consecrated in 1824 and designed by Francis Greenway, St James’ is the oldest church in continuous use in the City of Sydney. It is State and National Heritage listed and forms part of the Macquarie Street precinct. The responsibility of maintaining this building is ongoing and substantial.

Music is central to St James’ identity. Its professional choir sings at regular services, Orchestral Masses and concerts, and participates in recordings and touring.
 

What your support makes possible

 

  • More than 150 choral services are presented each year.
  • Three Orchestral Masses, plus other major concerts, are held annually.
  • Lunchtime concerts are held most Wednesdays.
  • Scholarships currently support five emerging choral musicians and an organ scholar.
  • The International Organ Festival, inaugurated in 2024, features renowned visiting organists.
  • The Organ Appeal (2019-2024) raised $3.8 million, enabling installation of the acclaimed Bicentennial Pipe Organ by Dobson Pipe Organ Builders, the first instrument by this renowned builder in Australia.

 

About the Foundation

 
Established in 1999, The St James’ Foundation Limited is trustee for two charitable trusts: The St James’ Music Foundation and The St James’ Church Building and Property Foundation. It is governed by an independent Board whose members have expertise in music, finance, investment and governance.

In excess of $11 million is currently managed across both Foundations, and more than $8 million has been distributed since establishment to support music and building works. Capital is invested prudently for long-term growth and sustainable annual income. The Foundation has embarked on a new strategic plan to reach $20 million under management by the mid-2030s, providing greater financial security for future music programmes and building preservation.

 

The impact of a bequest

 
A bequest increases the Foundation’s capital permanently. The income it generates enables the Foundation to support scholarships, professional musicians, visiting artists, instrument maintenance, restoration projects and long-term building preservation.

Previous bequests have already made a lasting difference. The Estate of Norma Shore established an Organ Scholarship. The Estate of Dr Peter Harper supported the installation of the Bicentennial Organ. These gifts continue to contribute each year.

 

How to make a bequest

 
The Foundation is grateful for any bequest you may wish to consider, whether small or more substantial. All discussions regarding bequests are handled with discretion.

The wording below is what your solicitor will need. You may leave a gift to either Foundation, or to both.
 

For The St James’ Music Foundation

 

  1. I give [$……/the whole of my estate] to the St James Music Foundation.
  2. If at my death the Foundation has ceased to exist or has changed its name, this gift shall not fail but my Executors shall pay to the newly named entity or to the Churchwardens for the time being of St James’ Anglican Church, King Street, Sydney NSW (St James’) for the promotion, development and enhancement of music at St James including, without limitation, the production and performance of choral and pipe organ music and the development, enhancement, maintenance and acquisition of musical instruments and musical performances.
  3. The receipt of the Secretary for the time being of the foundation or the Treasurer for the time being of St James’ shall be sufficient discharge to my Executors.

 

For The St James’ Church Building and Property Foundation

 

  1. I give [$……/the whole of my estate] to the St James Church Building and Property Foundation (the Foundation).
  2. If at my death the Foundation has ceased to exist or has changed its name, this gift shall not fail but my Executors shall pay to the newly named entity or to the Churchwardens for the time being of St James’ Anglican Church, King Street, Sydney NSW (St James’) for the restoration, maintenance, improvement and upkeep of the building, fixtures and ornaments at St James’ Church.
  3. The receipt of the Secretary for the time being of the foundation or the Treasurer for the time being of St James’ shall be sufficient discharge to my Executors.

 

Contact us

 
For further information, or if your legal advisor has any queries, please email contact@stjamesfoundation.com.au. All enquiries are treated in confidence.

If you would prefer to give now rather than through your will, you can make a donation here.
 

Our details

 

  • The St James’ Church Building and Property Foundation – ABN 90 665 163 627
  • The St James’ Music Foundation – ABN 81 868 929 941

All donations to The St James’ Music Foundation over $2 are tax deductible.

Download Bequest Browchure