Religion was fundamental to the Hume's existence. Their interest extended from broader issues in ecclesiastical matters, such as the diocesan synod, to the affairs of their local church. Architecture, music and the delivery of sermons are all mentioned in the letters. Their support of the local church and clergy was consistent despite their disappointment with the standard of the colonial church. Katie often wrote of how much she missed good quality music and singing. Walter wrote of his dislike of their local priest's sermons.

The Residency, Drayton ... 18th November 1866 My dearest Mer, ... Yesterday Mr. Clayton, the clergyman of Drayton, called - he is a very eccentric man ... It is such a tiny wooden Church, though it boasts of Chancel & aisle, & is really more decent than at Toowoomba. The music is abominable! A storekeeper's daughter plays the Harmonium so that no one can sing to it, so hurried & such wrong notes! I don't know whether I shall be able to effect any improvement! (Bonnin, p. 31)   St Mathew's Drayton, [c. 1870] Photograph Album Vol. 1, p. 4(a).

Church, Yandilla, [c. 1875] Photograph Album Vol. 1, p. 55. This church was built by the Gore family at Yandilla who were close friends of the Humes.

Drayton, Queensland ... (that is sufficient address) ... Tuesday April 16th 1867 My dearest Ja, ... We have been to church this morning, when I performed at the Harmonium for the first time i.e. I played the Hymns. We had no chanting. Miss Favenc asked me thro' Mr. Clayton if I wd take alternate Sundays with her, so I have been practising. It is a poor little instrument. No stops. One cannot make much of it. I played 'Agnus Dei' from Mozart's 1st. I long to hear yr beautiful Easter Music, & to join in yr hearty Services. People are sadly indifferent to such matters here. The affairs of this world seem to absorb all their time & attention. (Bonnin, p. 58) Drayton, Queensland ... Augt. 1868 My dear Five, ... Katie has no doubt told you of our parson Mr. Nevill ... the gentleman preaches worse than any man I ever heard in my life, tries to do it extempore, but can't; sometimes being as connected in his discourses as Mr. Chadband [a hypocritical minister in Charles Dickens' 'Bleak House'] ... You may guess how all this jars on a nervous person such as I am, to have to sit and listen to a bad sermon in worse language. (Bonnin, p. 119)