The Hawkesbury Christian Centre was founded by Pastor Ian and Joan Woods in July 1982.

The formation of our church was the result of three strong home churches in the Hawkesbury region - an outreach of Penrith Christian Fellowship. Our first fellowship meetings took place at the ‘Elim Conference Centre’ on Bennetts Road at Londonderry in July of 1982. After three years at this venue the leadership felt it was time to move to a higher profile, more central, position within the Hawkesbury area.

A search of suitable properties concluded when the Macquarie Squash Courts became available for purchase and it was decided the venue suited our needs. The Squash Courts stood on the very ground that was once one of the home churches in which the pioneer members met. The property was purchased in 1985 and renovations commenced shortly after. Christmas 1985 and 79 people gathered for the first service. In 1986 Pastor Ian gave up teaching and commenced full time (unpaid) in the church and soon numbers began to grow.

By 1997 church numbers had grown to around 800 people and a decision was reached to construct a new auditorium adjacent to the original building. It would seat over 500 people and contain new and renovated offices and children’s church. Construction has continued with stages 2 and 3 well into development.

In June 2008, Ps Ian & Joan Woods decided to step down as fulltime ministers at Hawkesbury Church and retire. Their hand chosen successors also came from Penrith Christian Fellowship (now ImagineNations Church) and Pastors Ric & Naomi Burrell (and their five children) became the second Senior Pastors in the churches history.

With a continuing deep focus on the family and on the importance of small groups, Ps Ric & Naomi have seen great growth and a profound strengthening of the congregation’s faith as the church enters a new phase of community life.