The Eerie Secrets of St Matthews Rectory

Few buildings in the Hawkesbury carry as much history — and mystery — as St Matthew's Rectory in Windsor. Located close to the iconic St Matthew's Anglican Church, this elegant Georgian private residence has witnessed more than 200 years of local history. Some say it has also witnessed something far more unsettling...

During foggy winter evenings in Windsor, the atmosphere around the rectory can feel particularly eerie. As the historic town settles into silence, the building takes on a mysterious presence. It is easy to see why stories of unexplained happenings have surrounded the rectory for generations.

Built around 1824, St Matthew's Rectory is one of the oldest surviving residences in the Hawkesbury. The two-storey Georgian building features an ornate central doorway, a graceful fanlight and a striking curved staircase that winds upwards from the entrance hall. Today, the rectory remains a private residence, but it's fascinating past continues to attract the attention of history lovers.

Many of the stories centre on Reverend Samuel Marsden, one of the most influential — and controversial — figures in early colonial Australia. Known as the "Flogging Parson" for his harsh punishments as a magistrate, Marsden arrived in New South Wales in the late1700's and became the colony's senior Anglican chaplain. He died at St Matthew's Rectory on 12 May 1838 while visiting Windsor to recover from ill health.  According to local legend, Marsden may never have truly left.

Over the decades, numerous reports have documented strange occurrences within the rectory. Unexplained footsteps have been heard slowly climbing the staircase, only for no one to be found. Others have described hearing cutlery rattling in drawers and mysterious noises echoing through the halls late at night.

One of the most famous sightings was reported by local antique dealer Alex Hendrickson, who claimed to have encountered a dark-robed figure near the rectory grounds. He described the apparition as having a round face and a stern expression — a description that many believed matched Samuel Marsden himself.

Similar experiences have been shared by others. In the 1920s, Lorna Campbell, whose family lived in the rectory while the parish minister was overseas, recalled hearing footsteps approaching her bedroom door one step at a time. Yet each time she gathered the courage to investigate, no one was there.

More recently, a long-term resident reported seeing what appeared to be Marsden standing at the top of the grand staircase. Rather than feeling alarmed, the resident simply accepted it as part of living in one of Australia's oldest and most historic homes.

Whether these tales are the product of imaginations, the creaks and groans of a centuries-old building, or something else, remains a matter of debate. What is certain is that St Matthew's Rectory is one of Windsor's most fascinating historic landmarks and a reminder that the Hawkesbury's rich heritage comes with more than a few intriguing stories.

So, is St Matthew's Rectory haunted?