A NSW Government website
Environment and Heritage
Environment and Heritage

Arthur Stace

Sydney's 'Eternity' chalk writer (1885–1967)

'Eternity' written on a chalkboard c. 1963
Image Credit: National Museum of Australia
 

Location

St Barnabas Anglican Church, 57–61 Mountain Street, Ultimo NSW 2007

Sydney is on the land of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation.

Accessibility

Wheelchair accessible

About Arthur Stace

Arthur Malcolm Stace, remembered as Mr Eternity, is part of the folklore of Sydney.

In November 1932, Arthur heard evangelist John G Ridley say that he wished he could ‘shout eternity through the streets of Sydney’. For about 35 years, Arthur spread Ridley’s message, writing 'Eternity' in copperplate script on Sydney's footpaths and doorsteps.

Black and white photograph taken on 3 July 1963, showing Arthur Stace squatting on a Sydney pavement as he writes the word 'Eternity' in chalk. He looks up toward the camera, posing for photographer Trevor Dallen. The word is written in his signature copperplate script.
Arthur Stace writes the word 'Eternity' on the pavement, 1963
Image Credit: Trevor Dallen/Fairfax Archives

Arthur Stace writes the word ‘Eternity’ on the pavement, 1963

Arthur Stace's challenging early life

Arthur Malcolm Stace was born in Redfern in 1885, the youngest of 5 children. Both his parents struggled with alcohol dependency, and Arthur received little formal education.

When Arthur was 7, his father left and the family was admitted to the Benevolent Asylum, a refuge for destitute women and children. Boarded out to several families across New South Wales, he became a state ward at the age of 12.

As a young man, Arthur struggled to hold down a job. He turned to petty crime, running grog to brothels and two-up schools. He was frequently jailed for drunkenness.

Receiving his calling

Arthur enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in 1916, serving with the 19th Infantry Battalion in France. On returning to Australia in February 1919, he was discharged as medically unfit. He was partially blind in one eye, with no money and was out of work. Years of alcohol dependence, depression and court appearances for unacceptable behaviour followed.

Arthur's life turned around on 6 August 1930. After attending a 'tea and rock bun' meeting at St Barnabas Anglican Church, Broadway, he 'unexpectedly' converted to Christianity and immediately gave up alcohol. Arthur began helping down-and-out men at RB Hammond's hostel, visiting Callan Park mental hospital and the Lazaret lepers' wards at Little Bay Hospital, and leading open-air religious meetings in the city.

In November 1932, inspired by evangelist John G Ridley's words that he wished he could shout eternity through the streets of Sydney, Arthur recounted, ‘I felt a powerful call from the Lord to write "Eternity". I had a piece of chalk in my pocket, and I bent down right there and wrote it. I've been writing it at least 50 times a day ever since.’

Mr Eternity

For about 35 years, Arthur spread Ridley's message with the single word, 'Eternity', written in copperplate with yellow waterproof chalk. It appeared more than half a million times on footpaths and doorsteps from Martin Place to Parramatta.

Arthur kept his identity secret, writing his word at dawn when few people were around. Speculative press accounts, a few fake confessions and false sightings fuelled the mystery. When the minister of the Baptist Tabernacle caught him 'red handed', the Daily Telegraph broke the story on 24 June 1956. Overnight, Arthur became one of Sydney’s most famous citizens, even happy to grant occasional press interviews.

  • Sepia-toned photograph from the 1930s showing Arthur Stace seated on the left at the Hammond Hotel for unemployed residents in Chippendale, Sydney. Five other men stand in a row, each applying shaving cream while facing away from a large mirror, their backs turned to it as they shave.
    Arthur Stace (seated, left) at the Hammond hotel for unemployed residents Chippendale in the 1930s
    Arthur Stace (seated, left) at the Hammond hotel for unemployed residents Chippendale, in the 1930s
    Image Credit: Hammondcare Historical Archives.
  • Newspaper clipping from The Sun-Herald, 1963, featuring an article titled '“Eternity” On The Footpath.' The headline reads, 'A Sydney artist believes she knows who chalks the word “Eternity” on walls and footpaths in the city.' The article includes a stylised drawing of the word 'Eternity' in cursive script, referencing the mysterious chalk writings that had intrigued Sydney residents for decades.
    The mysterious identity of the 'Eternity' chalk-writer intrigued the people of Sydney, Sun-Herald, 1963
    The mysterious identity of the 'Eternity' chalk-writer intrigued the people of Sydney. The Sun-Herald 1963
    Image Credit: National Library of Australia

A lasting legacy

The legacy of Arthur Malcolm Stace darting through the shadows 'to deliver his one-word sermon has entered the mythology of Sydney's life'. His story has inspired books, museum exhibits, the chamber opera (The Eternity Man performed at the Sydney Festival in 2005), Lawrence Johnston's 1994 film Eternity, a proliferation of websites and religious tracts.

In 1977, a brass inscription with 'Eternity' in copperplate script was unveiled in a paving stone near the Sydney Square waterfall. Sydney's festivities to welcome in the new millennium celebrated Arthur's special link to the city's history, with copperplate lettering style of the word ‘Eternity’ appearing on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Color photograph of the word 'Eternity' illuminated in golden lights across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, moments after a fireworks display welcomed the year 2000. The glowing script echoes Arthur Stace’s iconic chalk writing, celebrating the new millennium with a tribute to his legacy.
'Eternity' lit up Sydney Habour Bridge after a fireworks display welcomed in the year 2000
Image Credit: City of Sydney Archives

‘Eternity’ lit up Sydney Harbour Bridge after a fireworks display welcomed in the year 2000

References