[1] The location of what is now Port Macquarie was first discovered by Europeans when it was found by the Surveyor General of New South Wales, John Oxley in 1818.

[1] The Church foundation stone was laid by Lieutenant G. R. Carmac, Acting Commandant, also Engineer and Inspector of Public Works, on the 8 December 1824, at a service conducted by the Reverend Thomas Hassall who had been appointed as Chaplain to the settlement in August of the same year.

This began the long and faithful ministry of "Parson Cross" as he was familiarly known, not only to the people of Port Macquarie but to all who resided on the Hastings, Wilson, Macleay and Manning Rivers for such was the extent of the parish until new ecclesiastical districts were established in 1858 and 1860 respectively.

The Commandant was subsequently buried in the precincts of the Church to be, and his grave stone is to be found in the nave under the southeast box pew.

When St Thomas' was opened in 1828, the school moved into the nave of the Church and later into the surgeon's dispensary when it ceased to be used by the government medical officer.

As the Government of New South Wales would not provide funds, reconstruction of the Church was carried out by local labour with gifts from the community.

[1] Daughter churches of St Thomas' were built and opened at Kempsey in 1858, Taree in 1860, Beechwood in 1880, Ennis in 1888, Rollands Plains in 1895, Telegraph Point in 1900, Wauchope in 1900, Rawdon Island in 1906, Ellenborough in 1907 and Pembroke in 1923.

The building is of classical orthogonal form with symmetrical facades, rectangular tower with battlemented parapet, and pointed arch windows.

The overall form is deviated only by the vestry to the south, itself a simple smaller version of the nave - a rectangular brick structure with tiled gable roof.

Key style indicators at St Thomas; include the symmetrical facade, tower, battlemented parapet, pointed arch motif and timber tracery.

[1] The immediate landscape of the Church grounds is dominated by several Norfolk Island pines (Araucaria heterophylla), in various stages of maturity.

The site's landmark setting is enhanced by three large Norfolk Island pines planted c. 1860 by the three stepsons of Reverend Kemp, as his memorial.

[1] A single storied rectangular brick building with hipped metal roof and double hung multipaned windows.

The site with the Church, the associated buildings, and the landscape, forms an important focus in the Port Macquarie townscape and is linked with its formation, continued growth and development.

[2]: 42 [4][5] The site's landmark setting is enhanced by three large Norfolk Island pines, (Araucaria heterophylla), planted c. 1860 by the three stepsons of Reverend Kemp, as his memorial.

[1] St Thomas' Anglican Church, Port Macquarie was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 18 October 2002 having satisfied the following criteria.

The site has been in continual occupation and use by the Anglican Church for religious worship and parish administration since chosen by Governor Macquarie in 1821.

St Thomas' Anglican Church is associated with notable persons responsible for the founding, growth and development of Port Macquarie.

[1][4] The place is important in demonstrating aesthetic characteristics and/or a high degree of creative or technical achievement in New South Wales.

The Norfolk Island pine trees and pedestrian paths from the street boundaries are a significant part of the early landscape of the Church and influence upon the townscape setting of port Macquarie.

The place represents the first site of official religious ceremonies held in Port Macquarie during the first approximately 15 years of the penal settlement.