First Church of Christ, Scientist, Brisbane facts for kids
Quick facts for kids First Church of Christ, Scientist, Brisbane |
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First Church of Christ, Scientist, Brisbane, 2015
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| Location | 273 North Quay, Brisbane City, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Architect | Lucas and Cummings, Architects |
| Architectural style(s) | Modernist |
| Official name: First Church of Christ, Scientist, Brisbane | |
| Type | state heritage |
| Designated | 11 March 2016 |
| Reference no. | 650017 |
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The First Church of Christ, Scientist, Brisbane is a special building located at 273 North Quay in Brisbane City, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by the famous architects Lucas and Cummings. This church is important because of its history and unique design. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on March 11, 2016, which means it's protected for future generations.
Contents
A Brief History of the Church
The First Church of Christ, Scientist, Brisbane, built in 1940, is a two-story building in the heart of Brisbane. It was built because the church grew a lot in the early 1900s. The building is still used by its members today. It won an award in 1950 for its amazing design. This award was called the "Medal for Meritorious Architecture."
How Christian Science Started
Christian Science is a Christian religion that believes in the Bible's teachings for healing. It was founded in 1879 in Boston, USA, by Mary Baker Eddy. She had new ideas about spirituality and health.
Christian Science churches don't have traditional clergy. Each church manages itself but follows rules from "The Mother Church" in Boston. A group of at least 16 Christian Scientists can form a church.
Every Church of Christ, Scientist has Sunday services and a Sunday School for young people up to age 20. They also have a reading room where people can learn more. Two readers lead the church services. These activities help shape how their church buildings are designed.
The Church in Brisbane
Interest in Christian Science began in Australia in the 1890s. In Brisbane, people started meeting in homes around 1899. By 1901, they formed the Christian Science Society. They soon moved to a larger room in the Edwards Building on Adelaide Street. This room could hold up to 100 people.
In December 1901, this group officially became the First Church of Christ, Scientist, Brisbane. By 1909, they needed an even bigger space. They moved to another building on Adelaide Street.
In 1917, the church bought land at North Quay and Tank Street. They started building a church there that year. However, by 1930, the church had grown too big for this building. They bought Centennial Hall on Adelaide Street, which could hold 1000 people.
As the church continued to grow, a second Christian Science church formed in Brisbane, in the suburb of Clayfield. This church built its own modern building in 1938.
By the late 1930s, the First Church of Christ, Scientist, Brisbane needed a new, larger church again. They bought two more plots of land on North Quay in 1939. This is where the current church building stands.
Modern Design and Special Features
Christian Science churches often have unique designs. They don't always look like traditional churches. From the start, they wanted buildings that were excellent and used high-quality materials. They often used a style called Modernism. This style focuses on simple shapes, clean lines, and practical uses.
The First Church of Christ, Scientist, Brisbane, is a great example of Modernist design. It was designed by Frederick Bruce Lucas and Robert Percy Cummings. Cummings had studied architecture in London and was interested in European Modernist architects.
The church opened on August 4, 1940. It cost about £20,000 to build. The architects designed it to fit the unusual shape of the land. The main entrance from North Quay leads to a large foyer. From here, you can reach all parts of the building.
The Auditorium
The main church room, called the auditorium, is designed like a fan. This shape helps everyone hear well and see the readers. The walls are made of beautiful Queensland Maple wood. There are no fancy decorations, just simple, elegant design.
The church has a special mechanical ventilation system. Air is drawn up through the walls from the basement and then released through the ceiling. This keeps the air fresh and comfortable. The building also has a pipe organ, hidden behind a screen.
Sunday School and Other Rooms
On the other side of the foyer is the Sunday School. It has a large hall and classrooms. There are also offices, committee rooms, and even a small apartment for the caretaker on the first floor.
The building uses strong, simple materials like cream brick and artificial stone. Inside, the walls are light-colored to create a peaceful feeling. Many of the materials and workers used were from Queensland.
Awards and Recognition
In 1950, the First Church of Christ, Scientist, Brisbane received an award for its design. This award was from the Royal Australian Institute of Architects. The building is still recognized today for its important cultural heritage. It has been part of the Brisbane Open House event, where the public can visit special buildings.
The church is still in great condition, showing how well it was designed and built. Only small changes have been made over more than 70 years. It continues to be the largest Christian Science church in Queensland.
What the Church Looks Like
The First Church of Christ, Scientist, Brisbane is at the western end of Brisbane's city center. It overlooks the Brisbane River. The building has simple, box-like shapes and is covered in light-colored brick. It has concrete parapets (low walls at the edge of the roof) and continuous window hoods.
The main entrance from North Quay has wide stairs leading to a simple, grand doorway. There are three tall wooden doors with bronze frames. Inside, a short flight of stairs leads to a large foyer. From here, you can go to the auditorium, the Sunday School, and other rooms. There's also another entrance from May Street at the back.
Inside the Auditorium
The auditorium is the main space. It's calm, elegant, and full of light. It has tall windows and walls lined with Queensland Maple wood. The fan shape and sloping floor help focus attention on the readers' platform. Acoustic panels on the back wall also help with sound.
The readers' platform has two pulpits. Biblical quotes are written high on the walls in metal letters. The church also has a special mechanical ventilation system. Air is pulled up through the walls from the basement and released through vents in the ceiling. This system is still working today.
The Sunday School Area
The Sunday School is on the eastern side of the foyer. It has its own main entrance from North Quay. Inside, there's a large hall and three classrooms. There are also rooms for the superintendent and a library.
Upper Floors and Details
A staircase from the foyer leads to the first floor. Here you'll find committee rooms, a literature distribution room, and a caretaker's flat. There's also an administrative area with a boardroom and offices.
Throughout the building, you'll see well-finished details. These include steel-framed windows, terrazzo window sills, and original furniture. The inside walls are painted in light colors, creating a peaceful space.
Why This Place is Special
The First Church of Christ, Scientist, Brisbane was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on March 11, 2016. This means it's recognized as an important part of Queensland's history and culture.
Showing Queensland's History
This church is important because it shows how the Christian Science church grew in Queensland during the 20th century. It's a great example of a Christian Science church from that time.
It also shows how architecture changed in Queensland. Designed by Lucas and Cummings, who were leaders in architecture, it demonstrates the influence of Modernist ideas. This style became very popular in the mid-20th century.
Key Features of a Christian Science Church
The First Church of Christ, Scientist, Brisbane shows the main features of a Christian Science church from the early 1900s. It has:
- A grand outside appearance and a bright, comfortable inside.
- A fancy entrance with three doors.
- A large foyer for people to gather.
- Two ways to enter the auditorium, which is designed for great sound.
- A special ventilation system and the latest technology of its time.
- A Sunday School and offices for church business.
- No traditional church symbols, focusing on simplicity.
The building is very well-preserved. Its simple shapes, clean lines, and steel-framed windows show off its Modernist style.
Beautiful Modern Design
The church has a bold, modern design that is very appealing. Its rectangular shapes, simple form, and strong horizontal lines make it visually interesting. The design is refined, with simple decorations inside and out. It uses high-quality materials and construction.
Creative Achievement
This church shows a high level of creative achievement in architecture. In 1950, Lucas and Cummings Architects won a special medal for this building. Architects still recognize its creative design today.
Community Connection
The First Church of Christ, Scientist, Brisbane has a strong connection with the Christian Science community in Queensland. Since 1940, it has been a place of worship, teaching, and meetings for the largest Christian Science group in the state.
Images for kids
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Wedding guests at Aubigny, a house near the church site, 1897
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The church seen from North Quay, 2015
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View of the back of the church from May Street, 2015
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Site map of the church, 2016
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