a church to serve the growing district of rowbarton was first announced in august 1878 when rev. f. j. smith pledged £3,000 towards its construction and endowment on the condition that another £2,000 was raised. the remaining money was obtained by public subscription, with £2,300 raised by june 1879. the £3,000 offered by rev. smith was provided as a thank-offering to mark the end of the russo-turkish war of 1877–78.