A Joyous 90th Celebration for Rev. John Bunyan

Celebrating the 90th Birthday of Rev. Dr. John Bunyan

A Milestone Event at St. John's Parish, Gordon

What a truly special occasion it was as friends, family, and parishioners gathered at St. John's Parish Church in Gordon to celebrate the remarkable 90th birthday of The Rev. Dr. John Reynolds Bunyan. The air was filled with warmth, camaraderie, and deep appreciation for a life dedicated to faith, service, and community preservation.

About the Guest of Honour

The Rev. Dr. John Reynolds Bunyan is a distinguished Anglican priest, scholar, and community advocate. Holding numerous academic qualifications including an MA, DipEd (Sydney), STh 1st Cl. (Lambeth), DipRE Distn. (London), DipBibStud Distn. (Durham), and DMin (San Francisco), he was ordained in 1960.

Dr. Bunyan served as Rector of Chester Hill with Sefton from 1978 to 2001 and has been an Hon. Anglican & General Chaplain at Bankstown Hospital for over 27 years. A Fellow of the Sydney Anglican Historical Society, he is also an Hon. Patron of the Campbelltown and Airds Historical Society, and an Hon. Chaplain to various ex-service organizations.

His extensive memberships include the National Trust (NSW) and several UK church conservation trusts, reflecting his deep commitment to heritage. A published author, he also possesses a profound interest in architecture, having curated significant collections of Christian and civic architectural works. His lifelong dedication to faith, history, and community informs his passionate advocacy for the preservation of St Paul’s Bankstown.

Watch the Birthday Celebration

The event, which Dr. Bunyan described as a "pleasant Sunday afternoon," was a delightful blend of scripture, song, and heartfelt tributes. Guests travelled from as far as Darwin and Atherton to honour his legacy. For those from St. Paul's Bankstown, the afternoon was particularly poignant, featuring special mentions of the ongoing fight to preserve that historic site—a cause Dr. Bunyan champions with unwavering resolve.

Read more about our ongoing mission:
Save St. Paul’s Bankstown: The Fight to Preserve Our History

Dr. Bunyan shared personal anecdotes from his 90-year journey, including the profound influence of his Sunday school teachers at St. Peter's Hornsby and the enduring impact of his seventh birthday gift: a children's version of Pilgrim's Progress. He noted that the themes of "Hill Difficulty" and "The Delectable Mountains" have remained relevant guides throughout his life of ministry.

Family, friends, and the St. Paul's community gathering to celebrate a lifetime of service.

It was an honour to witness this milestone. We wish Dr. Bunyan many more years of health as he continues to be a "useful" servant of God and a guardian of our local history.