Ann Street Presbyterian Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ann Street Presbyterian Church |
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Ann Street Presbyterian Church, 2020
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| 27°28′05″S 153°01′28″E / 27.468°S 153.0244°E | |
| Country | Australia |
| Denomination | Presbyterian |
| History | |
| Status | Church |
| Founded | September 1854 (first church) |
| Architecture | |
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| Architectural type | Church |
| Years built | 1858, 1871, 1897, 1936 |
| Administration | |
| Presbytery | Brisbane |
| Division | Queensland |
The Ann Street Presbyterian Church is a historic church located at 141 Ann Street in Brisbane City, Queensland, Australia. It is a Presbyterian church, which means it belongs to a Christian group that follows the teachings of John Calvin. This beautiful building was first built in 1858. Over the years, it has been changed and made bigger by different architects. The church is so important that it was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 1992.
Contents
History of the Church
The first group of Presbyterians came to Queensland in the late 1840s. They were part of a plan by John Dunmore Lang to bring more people to the area. At first, they held church services in a house. Later, in 1851, a small wooden church opened in South Brisbane. People living in North Brisbane also had services in the School of Arts building.
Building the First Church
In September 1854, the church bought land on Ann Street. Four years later, in 1858, a simple stone church was built. It was designed in the Gothic style, which means it had pointed arches and tall windows. The builder was Joshua Jeays, and it cost about £960. The church was 36 feet wide and 47 feet long. It officially opened on Sunday, 25 July 1858, and became known as the Ann Street Presbyterian Church. Sadly, on 21 December 1871, a fire destroyed most of the church, leaving only the stone walls. The church did not have insurance.
Rebuilding and Expanding
After the fire, people started raising money to rebuild the church in February 1872. By February 1873, a builder named Mr. E. Lewis was hired to rebuild it. He followed plans by architect John Hall. The new church opened on Sunday, 26 October 1873. Thanks to many generous donations, they not only rebuilt the church but also added a small tower, beautiful stained glass windows, and a church bell. This bell was said to be one of the best in Brisbane.
In 1897, the church had major changes and additions. Architect Alexander Brown Wilson designed these updates. They added buttresses (supports on the outside walls) and two transepts (parts of the church that stick out like arms). A basement was also added, along with stone steps and a fence at the front. The outside walls were covered with plaster, and a large round window, called a rose window, was put in the front wall.
More work was done inside the church in 1903 to make space for a new pipe organ. Between 1903 and 1914, a third transept was added. In 1936, a two-story building was added next to the church. This building, designed by Douglas Francis Woodcraft Roberts, had a hall and offices. It was used for the church's own offices and also for the main offices of the Presbyterian Church in Queensland. More buttresses were added to the front of the church to match the newer parts. This work cost about £6,000.
In the mid-1960s, the church was almost taken over by the Brisbane City Council. They wanted the land for a big project around King George Square. But many people from the church and community worked together to save the building. Even though the newer office extension was later removed for a new building, the main church building survived.
What the Church Looks Like
The Ann Street Presbyterian Church is made of stone and brick, covered with a smooth finish. It stands high above Ann Street and King George Square. At the front, there's a fancy wall and steps made of decorated stone and metal that lead down to the street. The roof has several steep, pointed sections covered with ribbed metal.
The windows are mostly tall and narrow, called lancet windows, with a few rounded ones. The front of the church has two main doors set inside rounded arches. These arches have decorative patterns. Above the doors, there's a beautiful rose window. The words "Ann St. Presbyterian Church" are carved into the stone above the doors.
Inside the church, you'll see a lot of beautiful timber (wood) details, furniture, and decorations. The ceiling has wooden boards arranged diagonally, with decorative panels between exposed wooden beams. Wide wooden arches are found along the side walls of the transepts. A wooden screen separates the entrance area from the main part of the church. The floor gently slopes down from the entrance towards the communion table, the elders' area, and the pulpit (where the minister speaks). A very large pipe organ stands out on the eastern wall.
Why It's a Heritage Site
The Ann Street Presbyterian Church was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992. This means it's a very important historical place. It meets several special requirements:
- Showing Queensland's History: This church is one of the oldest churches still being used in Queensland. It helps us understand how churches developed in the state over time.
- Showing Church Design: The building shows the main features of a Presbyterian church. It also shows how new parts were added over the years in a way that still looks good together.
- Its Beauty: People value the church for its beautiful design, especially how well-preserved the inside is. It also adds a lot to the look of the city and King George Square.
- Important to the Community: Since 1858, people have continuously worshipped at this church. Because of this, it has a very strong and special connection with the Presbyterian community for social, cultural, and spiritual reasons.
- Connected to Important People: The church has a special link to the architect Alexander Brown Wilson, who was involved with the Presbyterian church and designed some of its important additions.
Images for kids
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The first Ann Street Presbyterian Church (Reverend Ogg's church) in the left of this photo, around 1862.
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