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Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Herberton
Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Herberton (1992).jpg
Holy Trinity Anglican Church, 1992
Location 38 Broadway Street, Herberton, Tablelands Region, Queensland, Australia
Design period 1870s–1890s (late 19th century)
Built 1889
Architect Eyre & Munro
Official name: Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Holy Trinity Church of England
Type state heritage (built)
Designated 21 October 1992
Reference no. 600538
Significant period 1889, 1907 (fabric)
1902–1935 (historical)
Significant components memorial – chamber/room, furniture/fittings
Builders H Petersen
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Holy Trinity Anglican Church is a special old church located in Herberton, Queensland, Australia. It was built way back in 1889! This historic building was designed by a company called Eyre & Munro and built by H Petersen. It is also known as Holy Trinity Church of England. Because of its importance, it was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992. This means it's a protected site, recognized for its history and special features.

A Look Back: Church History

Holy Trinity Church was built in 1889. It was created to serve the Anglican people in Herberton. Herberton was a fast-growing mining town at that time.

Herberton's Tin Rush

Herberton became important after a large amount of tin was found nearby in 1880. Many people quickly moved to the area. By August 1880, Herberton was already a town. It had a hotel, a butcher's shop, and three stores. The tin fields around Herberton were the richest ever found in Australia.

Building the Church

The first Anglican priest in Herberton was Reverend G. White. He arrived in 1887. Church services were held in Herberton and nearby towns like Watsonville and Irvinebank. In 1888, plans for a new church were drawn up. These plans came from the Townsville architects Eyre and Munro. H Petersen was the builder. The church was finished and opened on June 30, 1889. It was a simple, rectangular building with a small entrance porch at the front.

The Brotherhood of St Barnabas

In 1898, the Herberton church parish covered many towns. These included Herberton, Atherton, Watsonville, and Irvinebank. The area was very isolated, and roads were poor. It was hard for one priest to visit everyone.

To help with this, the Brotherhood of St Barnabas was started on June 11, 1902. It was founded by Aneurin Vaughan Williams, who was the priest in Herberton. The "Brothers" were priests who traveled where they were needed. They stayed unmarried during their two years of service. They were greatly respected for their hard work. Herberton was the main base for the Brotherhood.

Church Improvements and Special People

In 1907, a vestry (a room for the priest to prepare) was added. In 1919, a new porch was built, and electric lights were installed.

In the 1920s, the church got many improvements. It received beautiful carved pieces made by Miss Amelia Grace Eckley Philpott. These included the baptismal font (for baptisms), the altar, and a chair and table for the sanctuary area. Miss Philpott later became a nun, known as Sister Rosa. After she passed away in 1928, a special Children's Corner chapel was created in 1929. This was a memorial to her, located in the porch of the church.

The Brotherhood of St Barnabas stopped looking after the Herberton church around 1935. Today, the parish is centered in Atherton. The priest lives there and serves several small towns, including Herberton. In 1989, the church was renovated to celebrate its 100th birthday.

What the Church Looks Like

Holy Trinity Church is a single-story building made of timber. You can see the wooden frame on the outside. It sits on concrete stumps. The roof has a pointed shape, called a gable, and is covered with corrugated iron. A small part sticks out at the front, holding a bell under the roof's edge.

The church has a large main room called a nave. At the front, there's a T-shaped entrance area. A separate vestry is at the back corner of the church. It has an arched door.

The church has tall, narrow windows called lancet windows. There are three of these windows together in the front wall. The roof also has vents, and the gable ends have decorative wooden designs.

Inside, the church has special wooden supports for the roof. The walls are lined with horizontal wooden boards. A gentle pointed arch separates the raised sanctuary area from the main nave. The church still has its original pews (benches). The baptismal font, altar, and a chair and table in the sanctuary all have richly carved designs.

Why It's a Heritage Site

Holy Trinity Anglican Church was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on October 21, 1992. This means it's recognized as a very important historical place for several reasons:

  • It shows how Queensland's history developed. Holy Trinity Church shows how Herberton grew. It also shows how the Anglican Church spread in Queensland. It was the first church for the Brotherhood of St Barnabas. This group helped reach small, isolated communities that couldn't have their own priest.
  • It's a great example of its kind. The church is a good example of a timber church found in rural areas. Its design, size, and details add a lot to the look of Herberton.
  • It's beautiful. Holy Trinity Church is considered beautiful because of its design and how it fits into the town.
  • It's important to the community. The church has a strong connection with the Anglican community in Herberton. It also has a special link to the work of the Brotherhood of St Barnabas. They provided care to people living in the developing Tablelands.
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