All Saints Anglican Church, Darnley Island facts for kids
Quick facts for kids All Saints Anglican Church, Darnley Island |
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All Saints Anglican Church, 2011
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| Location | Darnley Island, Torres Strait Island Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1870s - 1890s (late 19th century) |
| Built | 1919 - 1938 |
| Architectural style(s) | Romanesque |
| Official name: All Saints Anglican Church | |
| Type | state heritage (built, landscape) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600873 |
| Significant period | 1870s-1920s (historical) 1910s-1940s (fabric) |
| Significant components | apse, views to, trees/plantings, wall/s - sea, church |
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All Saints Anglican Church is a special old church on Darnley Island in the Torres Strait Island Region of Queensland, Australia. It was built between 1919 and 1938. This important building was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.
Contents
History of All Saints Anglican Church
The story of All Saints Anglican Church is closely linked to how Christianity arrived in the Torres Strait Islands. This event is known as the "Coming of the Light."
The Coming of the Light
The first Christian missionaries came to the Torres Strait Islands in 1871. They were from the London Missionary Society (LMS). Two Englishmen, Revs S. Macfarlane and Archibald Wright Murray, arrived on a ship called the Surprise. They were joined by eight evangelists from Lifu, an island in the Loyalty Islands, along with their wives.
On 1 July 1871, the missionaries reached Erub, which is another name for Darnley Island. This day is now celebrated as the "Coming of the Light." A tribal elder named Dabad met them at Kemus Beach. Dabad became friends with the missionaries and helped them meet other islanders. His role in bringing Christianity to the Torres Strait is remembered by Dabad's Monument at Badog.
The missionaries held their first recorded church service in the Torres Strait on the Surprise. Two Lifu evangelists, Mataika and Guchong, stayed on Erub to continue teaching. The Surprise then sailed to other islands, leaving more evangelists to share their message.
Christianity Spreads Across the Islands
The London Missionary Society set up a base at Somerset, on the mainland. From there, they helped spread Christianity to more Torres Strait Islands and New Guinea. Many teachers from other Pacific Islands, along with their families, helped teach in the Torres Strait. Only a few European missionaries worked there during this time.
By 1872, the missionaries reported that the islanders had welcomed them. Church services were being held regularly. The local language, Kala Lagaw Ya, started to mix with other languages, eventually forming a new language called Torres Strait Creole.
The Queensland Government took control of the Torres Strait Islands in 1872 and 1879. They wanted to protect important shipping routes and control the valuable pearl and beche-de-mer (sea cucumber) industries. Because the government didn't have many resources, the London Missionary Society often helped manage the islands.
The LMS also opened a school on Mer Island called the Papuan Institute. Here, they trained Torres Strait Islanders to become priests. This helped ensure that local leaders could continue to lead worship.
The Anglican Church Takes Over
By 1890, the London Missionary Society started to reduce its work in the Torres Strait. They felt their mission was successful there and wanted to focus on New Guinea.
In 1914, the Anglican Church took over the missionary work in the Torres Strait. This happened because the London Missionary Society was facing money problems. The Anglican Church then started the annual "Coming of the Light" celebrations. These celebrations honor the arrival of the London Missionary Society. Torres Strait Islanders still celebrate this important day every year, both on the islands and in mainland communities. Kemus Beach on Erub is a very important place for these celebrations, as it was where the missionaries first arrived.
Building All Saints Church
The All Saints Church was built in 1919. It stands on the same spot where the first London Missionary Society mission house and school once stood. Local islanders, led by Manai from Erub and Ware from the South Sea Islands, built the church. They used materials found nearby, like lime made from burnt coral and basalt rock. The church was first known as the Ziona church.
In 1963, the church was updated. More limestone from coral reefs was used, and the roof was made taller. Over the years, the ocean has caused some erosion near the church. To protect it from strong tides, a stone sea wall was built in 1976, about 15 meters from the building.
What All Saints Church Looks Like
All Saints Church is a strong building made of concrete. It has a red roof made of corrugated asbestos cement and galvanized steel, supported by a timber frame. The church is located very close to Badog Beach on the southwest side of Erub (Darnley) Island.
The church is quite large, covering about 250 square meters. It has a main central area called a nave with side sections. The concrete walls are thick, about 30 to 45 centimeters, and are plastered inside and out. Inside, the walls between the nave and the side sections are white and have decorative arches with columns. The floor is also made of concrete.
The front of the church, facing east, has decorations like a niche (a small alcove), columns, beams, and a frieze (a decorated band). The main entrance is on the southern side, through one of the side sections. The outer walls of the side sections have buttresses (supports) at the corners and in between. The sanctuary, which is the holy part of the church, is at the western end. A small room called a vestry extends from the sanctuary on the southern side.
The church sits on a flat area between the beach and a small headland. It is surrounded by tall coconut palms and natural forest.
Why All Saints Church is Important
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All Saints Anglican Church was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 1992 for several reasons:
- It shows how Queensland's history developed. The church is important because it shows how missionary work grew in the Torres Strait. It is also a main gathering place for the annual "Coming of the Light" festival on July 1st. This festival celebrates the arrival of the London Missionary Society in 1871.
- It is beautiful and well-designed. This large church was built in 1919 using mostly local materials like burnt coral and basalt. It stands out as an important building on Erub (Darnley) Island. Its location on Badog Beach makes it very scenic. It is also a good example of the unique style of churches built in the Torres Strait, with its strong concrete walls and supported corners.
- It has a strong connection to the community. Erub (Darnley Island) holds deep religious meaning for Torres Strait Islander Christians. It was the first place where Torres Strait Islanders met the London Missionary Society missionaries.
See Also
- Coming of the Light Festival
