Baptist City Tabernacle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Baptist City Tabernacle |
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Baptist City Tabernacle, 2020
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| 27°27′53″S 153°01′29″E / 27.4646°S 153.0247°E | |
| Country | Australia |
| Denomination | Baptist |
| History | |
| Status | Church |
| Dedicated | 9 October 1890 |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Richard Gailey |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Classicism |
| Years built | c. 1889–1890 |
| Construction cost | £18,000 |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Rendered cement; galvanised iron |
| Administration | |
| Episcopal area | Australia |
The Baptist City Tabernacle is a very old and important Baptist church in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It's located in Spring Hill at 163 Wickham Terrace. This beautiful building was designed by Richard Gailey and built between 1889 and 1890.
It's a special place because it's listed on the Queensland Heritage Register. This means it's protected for its historical and architectural value. The church is also a main centre for the Baptist community in Queensland.
History of the Tabernacle
Baptists first came to Brisbane around 1851. Their first church, the Wharf Street Baptist Church, was built in 1859. By 1887, the congregation had grown to over 400 people. They needed a much bigger church!
So, they decided to build a new one. A well-known Brisbane architect named Richard Gailey designed the new church. He was also a member of the congregation. The church was officially opened on 9 October 1890. Building it cost more than £18,000, which was a huge amount of money back then. People at the time described it as a "Classic Venetian" style building.
The first pastor, or minister, was Reverend William Whale. He was a very important church leader and speaker in Brisbane during that time.
In the early 1900s, the basement of the church was used by a private school for girls. This school later became Somerville House. The church's tower also became home to the Baptist Theological College for many years. This college is where people study to become Baptist ministers. The basement rooms were also used for Sunday School and other church activities.
The Tabernacle is still a very important place for the Baptist Church in Queensland. It hosts the annual Assembly and other important meetings for the Baptist Union.
What the Church Looks Like
This church is made of brick covered in cement. It has tall walls that hide the roof, which is made of corrugated iron. The church is built on a sloping hill. It sits on the corner of Upper Edward Street and Wickham Terrace. From here, you can see the city centre. The main entrance is on the higher Wickham Terrace side.
The front of the church has grand stairs leading up to the entrance. There's also a tall tower on the corner, topped with a small dome called a cupola. This tower is four storeys high. The rest of the building is two storeys tall, but it looks like three storeys from the back and sides because of the sloping ground.
All four sides of the church have a similar classical design. They are mostly symmetrical, except for where the tower is placed. Each side is divided into three sections. The middle section is larger than the two on the sides.
The middle section on the front and back of the church sticks out a bit. On the sides, it's set back slightly. Each middle section has a beautiful round window called a rose window on the upper level. All the other windows are arched. The middle section on the south, east, and west sides has a triangular top called a pediment. The corners of the building and the divisions in the walls have special decorative stone work.
The longer east and west sides of the church have two extra sections set back from the main part. In these areas, there are arched doors that lead to the lower-ground floor. This lower level contains rooms for Sunday school, a lecture hall, a kitchen, and other meeting rooms.
Inside, the main church area is very large and tall. It's about 70 feet wide. The ceiling is flat and made of plaster. In the corners of the building, there are two-storey rooms that look into this main space. There's also a gallery, like a balcony, above the entrance. The inside walls are plastered and have round metal grates for ventilation. The windows have pretty stained glass with geometric patterns.
The wooden pews, or church benches, are arranged in a half-circle facing the front. At the front, you'll find the pulpit (where the minister speaks), the baptistery (for baptisms), the organ, and the choir area. These areas are decorated with wooden panels. A screen has been built behind the choir. This screen now blocks the view of the north wall, which originally had rose and arched windows and a spiral wooden staircase.
Why It's a Heritage Site
The Baptist City Tabernacle was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992. This means it's officially recognized as an important historical place. It meets several special requirements:
- Shows Queensland's History: The church is important because it shows how the Baptist Church grew in Queensland. It's home to Brisbane's oldest Baptist congregation.
- Looks Beautiful: The Tabernacle is valued for its beauty. It adds a lot to the look of Brisbane, especially along Wickham Terrace and Upper Edward Street. It's also a well-known landmark in the city. The way the building's parts are put together, and the quality of its wooden details and stained glass, make it very special.
- Strong Community Connection: This church has a strong connection with the Baptist Church in Queensland. It's also specially linked to the famous Brisbane architect Richard Gailey. It's a great example of his work designing churches.
