Graceville Uniting Church facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Graceville Uniting Church
Graceville Uniting Church, 2011
Location	215 Oxley Road, Graceville, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Design period	1914 - 1919 (World War I)
Built	1917 - 1951
Architect	Walter Taylor
Architectural style(s)	Perpendicular Gothic
Queensland Heritage Register
Official name: Graceville Uniting Church Complex, Graceville Methodist Church
Type	state heritage (built, landscape)
Designated	24 September 1999
Reference no.	601584
Significant period	ongoing (social)
Significant components	tower - bell / belfry, kindergarten, views to, church, stained glass window/s, furniture/fittings, church hall/sunday school hall, trees/plantings, memorial - honour board/ roll of honour, kitchen/kitchen house, hall
Builders	Walter Taylor
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The Graceville Uniting Church is a special old church in Graceville, Queensland, Australia. It's located at 215 Oxley Road. A famous builder named Walter Taylor designed and built it. Construction took place over many years, from 1917 to 1951. This church was once known as Graceville Methodist Church. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 24 September 1999, meaning it's an important historical site.

The Story of Graceville Uniting Church

The Graceville Uniting Church is actually a group of buildings. It includes the first church hall, built in 1917. Then came the main church building, which opened in 1930. Finally, a memorial hall was added in 1951. All these buildings were designed by Walter Taylor. Over the years, repairs were made, and a big restoration project happened in 1965.

Starting a Sunday School

The church's story began in August 1914. People decided to start a Sunday School in Graceville. They first used sheds at the Graceville recreation grounds. But by 1917, the Sunday School had too many students. They needed a bigger place.

In January 1917, a committee was formed to find a new site. Walter Taylor was part of this group. They found some land for sale near Graceville railway station. Mr. Taylor quickly paid a deposit to secure the property. In February 1917, the church bought three blocks of land. Two years later, they bought five more blocks. The land was officially registered for the Methodist Church in August 1917.

Building the First Hall

The church trustees decided to borrow money to build a new hall. Walter Taylor became the Honorary Architect and supervisor. The hall was built by volunteers from the community. People donated materials and their time. Taylor drew the plans and oversaw all the work.

The new hall opened on 3 November 1917. It could seat 120 people. It was mainly for the Sunday School. But it was also used for church services and community events. These included meetings, debates, and concerts. The Sunday School kept growing. So, in 1924, Walter Taylor helped build an extension to the hall.

Constructing the Main Church

In 1928, Walter Taylor was asked to design a new church. It would be built on the corner of Verney and Oxley Roads. The foundation stone was laid on 2 March 1929. Building the church was a community effort, just like the hall. People donated labour, money, and building materials.

However, this was during the Great Depression. Many people in the area were unemployed. This made it hard for them to donate as much money as before. So, the church had to borrow money to finish the building.

The church was officially opened on 29 November 1930. The Governor of Queensland, Sir John Goodwin, attended the ceremony. Walter Taylor was praised for his work. A special marble slab and photos of Walter and Louisa Taylor were placed in the church.

Unique Design and Meaning

The church was built in the Perpendicular Gothic style. This was a new idea for Methodist churches. Walter Taylor used precast concrete parts made in his own workshop. These parts were put together like stone blocks. Steel and concrete made the building very strong and graceful.

The church's design had special meanings. It was shaped like a cross. The exterior walls had 33 buttresses. These represented the 33 years of Christ's life. The walls between the buttresses were divided into seven sections, a perfect number in the Bible. Each section had three windows, representing the trinity. The church also featured 1450 Gothic arches and 8000 panes of tinted glass.

Additions and Memorials

Over the years, more things were added to the church. In 1937, Mrs. Taylor donated two trees for the church grounds. A baptismal font, a pulpit, and a memorial plaque were also added.

In 1944, Walter Taylor suggested building a memorial hall. This hall would honour those who served in World War II. It would also be used by the Sunday School and other church groups. The foundation stone for the memorial hall was laid on 20 September 1947.

The memorial hall opened on 1 December 1951. It had an honour board for World War II veterans. It also included tributes to past church members.

Repairs and Renovations

From the 1950s onwards, the church underwent many repairs and changes. In 1955, the church floor and roof needed fixing. In 1957, architects found the church needed serious repairs. The floor was replaced with concrete. A new septic toilet block was built in 1958. A new memorial window and a new organ were also added.

In 1962, Louisa Taylor, Walter Taylor's wife, passed away. According to Walter Taylor's will, the church's debts were paid off. Two large windows in the church were dedicated to Mr. and Mrs. Taylor.

In 1963, a big restoration project began. The main problem was that moisture was getting into the concrete. This caused the steel inside to rust. The restoration was finished in 1965. It involved repairing the concrete and applying special coatings. The church grounds were also improved.

Throughout the late 1960s and 1970s, more improvements were made. These included new carpet, new windows, and updated wiring. A new organ was bought, and a ramp was added for wheelchair access. The old hall was also renovated.

In 1977, the Uniting Church was formed. Graceville Parish became a separate Uniting Church parish in 1988.

What the Church Looks Like

The Graceville Uniting Church and Memorial Hall are on a block of land bordered by Oxley Road, Verney Road East, and Addison Road. Besides the church and hall, there's also the first timber church hall and tennis courts.

The Main Church Building

The church is made of concrete and is a medium size. It has a T-shaped plan, like a St Anthony's cross. This includes a main nave (the central part), transepts (the arms of the cross), and a choir area. Its design is an Inter-War Gothic style.

The front of the church faces Verney Road East. It has a pointed roof (gable) and is flanked by a round vestry on one side and a tall tower on the other. The tower is the most noticeable part. The main entrance doors are at the base of the bell tower. They are accessed through an archway.

The side walls of the church have strong concrete buttresses. Between these buttresses are concrete panels with three stained glass windows in each. The roof is steep and covered with terracotta tiles.

Inside, the nave has a central aisle with wooden pews. There are memorials on the walls and in the stained glass windows. These include windows dedicated to Walter and Louisa Taylor. The ceiling is made of concrete and has a Gothic design.

The Memorial Hall

The memorial hall looks similar to the church but is simpler. It's also built with concrete. The roof is steep and covered with terracotta tiles. A small porch is at the front.

Inside, the hall is a large open space. It has a stage at one end and a mezzanine (a partial floor) at the other. A kitchen and a large kindergarten room are also part of the hall. The front porch area has special elements remembering World War II. These include plaques and stained glass windows.

The Original Hall

The original hall is located west of the Memorial Hall. It's made of timber and has a corrugated iron roof. This hall is now used as part of the tennis court complex.

Why the Church is Important

The Graceville Uniting Church Complex is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register for several reasons:

• It shows how Queensland's history developed. The church and hall are great examples of the Inter-War Gothic style. They also show how early pre-cast concrete was used in Queensland, which was a very advanced building method for the time.
• It's beautiful and unique. The church and hall are well-designed and unusual buildings. The church tower and spire stand out and are a local landmark.
• It shows great skill and creativity. The way the church and hall were built was very different from normal methods. This shows a high level of technical achievement in using pre-cast concrete.
• It's important to the community. Since they opened, the church and hall have always been used by the Graceville community. They have provided spiritual, fun, and social activities.
• It has a special link to Walter Taylor. The church and hall are strongly connected to the famous builder, Walter Taylor. He designed them, came up with the unique building method, and supervised their construction. He also contributed a lot of money. Walter Taylor was a major builder in Brisbane, known for his concrete structures. His most famous work is the Walter Taylor Bridge over the Brisbane River.

Images for kids

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  Foundation stone laid in 1929

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  Graceville Methodist Church, circa 1947