Richard Johnson: The first chaplain of New South Wales

Posted on February 13, 2026 
Filed under Australia, History, People

From Moore College’s Moore in the Word podcast –

“In this episode and in honour of Moore Theological College’s 170th anniversary, we bring you a special episode taken from the 2025 Donald Robinson Library lectures on the topic of ‘The Clapham Sect and their influence on Sydney’.

Mark Thompson, Principal of Moore Theological College, introduces us to Richard Johnson and the story of how he ended up becoming the first chaplain to the fledgling colony in New South Wales, laying the spiritual foundations of Christian witness. Drawing on personal letters and historical records, Mark traces Johnson’s courage, hardship and lasting legacy in shaping gospel ministry in early Australia.”

– Listen here – or on the Moore in the Word page.

If you would prefer watch, rather than just listen, you can watch all eight talks from the Library lectures at this playlist.