Gospel Halls are evangelical non-denominational congregations. The members of Reiby Gospel Hall used the wagon to hand out leaflets and tracts (there are some still inside the wagon) and as a prop for street sermons.

Home-made or adapted vehicles were frequently used by evangelical sects to assist spreading the word in public locales. Most of these vehicles were horse-drawn or motor-powered. A Dubbo-based pastor, RM (Bob) Armstrong, has self-published four books about 'the unique vehicles of Open Air Campaigners'. These compilations feature little in the way of push carts or trolleys; presumably the busy street life of Newtown and Enmore was more suitable to this modest approach.

With its fading biblical messages, the cart forms a powerful artefact of 'home-made' religion, severe in message but passionate in expression. In the modesty of its environment and methods, the Reiby Hall congregation contrasts with the Hillsong Church and other more commercial forms of evangelism,. A similar contrast exists with the artefacts of the major establishment churches, many of which are held in the Powerhouse Museum collection. Although the collection holds a small number of artefacts provenanced to the Salvation Army, the gospel wagon is a comparatively rare artefact of spiritual self-help.

The wagon was built and used by the Reiby Gospel Hall in Station Street, Newtown from 1905 to the 1960s. The leaflets date from the 1950s or 1960s.

Gospel churches are evangelical Protestant congregations. The focus of gospel worship is individual salvation, based largely on a fundamentalist interpretation of the Old Testament, and is frequently referred to as 'born-again' Christianity for its emphasis on spiritual awakening. Gospel halls are often established and run by a single pastor; others have a more communitarian focus. Although the movement has not been as strong in Australia as in the USA, the Gospel Hall Directory Australia currently lists over 50 Gospel Halls, Gospel Churches and similar congregations in NSW, along with similar numbers in other states.

A 1960s Reiby Hall flyer sets out the basis of 'our faith' as including baptism by immersion, that the Lord Jesus will return to earth to establish his Kingdom, and that 'there will be a resurrection, judgement and eternal punishment of the unsaved dead'.

Reiby Hall takes its name from Mary Reiby (1777-1855) who is pictured on the Australian $20 note. After being transported from Lancashire as a teenager for stealing a horse, Reiby eventually became one of Sydney's first successful merchants and retailers. In retirement Reiby built a two-storey mansion on 21 acres at Newtown; her property extended for much of the length of Enmore Road. Reiby and her house are the subjects of Marjorie Barnard and Flora Eldershaw's novel A House is Built.

Reiby's estate was subdivided during the late 1800s although Reiby's former home survived until 1967, when it was demolished to make way for a public housing development.

Reiby Hall was built as a gospel church in Station Street in 1905. The Gospel Church was an evangelical non-denominational congregation. It continued at this address until about 1970. In its last decades Reiby Hall's pastor was E Stanton, who was also listed in the Sydney phone book as a builder, residing at Livingston Road, Marrickville.

In subsequent decades Reiby Hall was used as a residence and later as a yoga centre. In 2006 it was purchased by the Newtown RSL sub-branch and was officially opened in 2007 as the sub-branch meeting and social centre. The hall is also used by community groups, including the Marrickville Heritage Society.

Gospel wagon, and contents, wood / metal / rubber / glass / cloth / paper, made and used by Reiby Gospel Hall, Newtown, New South Wales, Australia, 1905-1970

A gospel wagon or prayer cart, used for evangelistic activity on streets, sidewalks and parks. The vehicle consists of a wooden crate with a hinged top lid. Four spoked wheels and a suspension unit (possibly from an old-style perambulator) are bolted to the floor of the cart. A wooden handle is attached at one end of the crate for pushing. The interior of the crate contains wiring for lighting as well as various leaflets (mostly for Reiby Hall), a prayer card and a loose glass light bulb fitting. Slats attached to the side suggest that the cart once contained a shelf. The crate is lettered in fading red and black paint on the lid and three sides.

Made: Reiby Gospel Hall; Newtown, New South Wales; 1905 - 1970

Used: Reiby Gospel Hall; Newtown, New South Wales; 1905 - 1970

See parts.

2009/82/1

1905 - 1970