Holy Trinity Church, Mackay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Holy Trinity Church, Mackay |
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Front entry of the Holy Trinity Church Mackay, 2005
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| Location | 39 Gordon Street, Mackay, Mackay Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1919–1930s (interwar period) |
| Built | c. 1926 |
| Architect | Lange Leopold Powell |
| Official name: Holy Trinity Church Complex, Holy Trinity Church, parish Hall and Presbytery | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 29 April 2003 |
| Reference no. | 601111 |
| Significant period | 1920s |
| Significant components | decorative features, residential accommodation – rectory, stained glass window/s, furniture/fittings, hall, church, views to |
| Builders | A Stonage and Sons |
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The Holy Trinity Church in Mackay is a very old and special Anglican church. It is located at 39 Gordon Street in Mackay, Queensland, Australia. This church was designed in 1923 by a famous architect named Lange Leopold Powell. It was built by A Stonage and Sons and finished in 1926. The church, along with its hall and rectory, is known as the Holy Trinity Church Complex. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on April 29, 2003, because of its important history and beautiful design.
Contents
A Look Back at the Church's History
The Holy Trinity Church you see today is actually the third church built on this spot. It was the first one made of stone. The building was finished in 1926, but its design was likely completed by 1923. Later, a church hall and a rectory (a house for the church's priest) were added in the late 1930s.
Early Days of the Church in Mackay
When Queensland became a separate colony in 1859, the Church of England set up a new church area called the Anglican Diocese of Brisbane. The area where Mackay is now located was part of this new church region.
In 1860, John Mackay and his group discovered the Pioneer Valley. The city blocks of Mackay were mapped out in 1863. The first land sale happened in October 1863. Bishop Edward Wyndham Tufnell, who was the Anglican Bishop of Brisbane, bought six pieces of land in the town center.
At first, settlers in Mackay raised cattle. But soon, people realized the land was perfect for growing sugar cane. The sugar industry grew quickly, and by the 1880s, large sugar farms were common.
The First Two Churches
The first Church of England service in Mackay took place in 1863 at the Mackay Court House. By 1867, the Parish of Mackay was officially formed. Land for the first church was bought in 1869. Building a church during tough economic times showed how dedicated the community was to their faith.
The first Trinity church was finished in 1871. It was made of stone with a steep roof covered in wood shingles. Sadly, it fell down in 1878, probably because its foundations weren't strong enough. The Mackay Mercury newspaper reported that the church's wall collapsed, damaging the altar and furniture.
Church services were held in another building until 1879, when a second church was opened. By 1884, the Mackay Parish had a beautiful church, a large Sunday School building, and a neat house for the parson (priest). In the late 1880s, a ladies' committee helped raise money for a new parsonage, which later became known as a rectory.
The second Holy Trinity Church was designed by F. D. G. Stanley, a famous architect who gave the plans for free. This church was made of wood and had a Gothic design with a steep, shingled roof. It could hold 500 people. Inside, it had a pipe organ, a carved oak altar, and special oak rails. The church was lit by gas lamps with fancy brass stands.
Building the Current Church
The second church was completely destroyed by a huge cyclone in 1918. A temporary church was built from salvaged wood, and people across Australia helped raise money for a new one. The new building was estimated to cost a lot of money, and by the time it was built in 1926, the cost had increased. This meant some changes were made to the original plan, which had included a tall bell tower.
The design of the third church is thought to be similar to a church in Mumbai, India. It looks like a Spanish church but with open verandas, which are perfect for Queensland's warm climate. The priest at the time, Canon Fortesque Leo Ash, made sure there was a special "Warriors' Chapel" inside the church. This chapel was built to remember those who died in World War I.
The architect for this third church was Lange Leopold Powell, and the builders were A Stonage and Sons. The church, along with its rectory and parish hall, takes up a whole city block.
The Architect: Lange L. Powell
Lange L. Powell was an important architect in the early 1900s. He worked with different partners before designing the Holy Trinity Church in Mackay on his own. During his long career, Powell designed many well-known buildings, including St Martins Hospital and the Masonic Temple in Brisbane.
For the Holy Trinity Church, Powell mixed different architectural styles like Romanesque, Spanish Mission, and Mediterranean. These styles were popular between World War I and World War II. The church's smooth white walls suggest a strong Spanish Mission influence. Many memorials inside the church are from the first and second churches, saved and placed in the new building.
The Parish Hall and Rectory
In the mid-1930s, the old rectory was in bad shape, and the hall, built in 1918, needed repairs. A new hall was built to match the church's style. It was made large enough for dances, meetings, and other events, hoping that renting it out would help pay for it. The hall had a big main space, a smaller hall for Sunday School, and rooms for other groups.
The new hall was built between 1937 and 1938. The rectory, located between the church and the hall, was built in 1939. The Premier of Queensland, William Forgan Smith, even traveled to Mackay to open the parish hall on September 4, 1937.
The Premier laid the foundation stone for the hall in 1937. The architect was Harold Brown, and the builder was Queensland Engineering. The hall cost a lot of money to build. The Mackay Daily Mercury newspaper reported that people hoped the hall would become a center for culture in the city, including physical activities, arts, drama, and music. It would also be used for church events and other social gatherings. The Bishop of North Queensland, Dr. John Feetham, officially opened the church hall on April 19, 1938, with a special ball.
The rectory built in 1939 was designed to match the other buildings. It became a Parish Centre when a new rectory was built in 1974. The current church and hall are still on their original site, which is rare in the area.
What the Church Complex Looks Like
The Holy Trinity Church Complex is located one block south of Victoria Street, Mackay's main shopping street. It sits on the corner of Gordon and Sydney Streets, which is a busy road through the city.
The Church Building
The Holy Trinity Church is a large stone building with a smooth white finish. It faces north towards Gordon Street. The front of the building has a decorative wall at the top with a cross. A round window in the center is filled with colorful stained glass. The main entrance has an arched doorway with twisted columns. The roof is red and looks like terracotta tiles. Along the sides of the church, there's an arched walkway.
Inside, the church has a main area called a nave, with aisles on the sides. Light comes in through windows high up on the walls, which are filled with colored glass. The inside walls are also smooth and white. The church has a cross shape when viewed from above. In one section, there's the Warriors' Chapel with three stained glass windows showing St. George, St. Michael, and St. Alban. This chapel is separated from the main church by three arched openings. At the back, there's a space for the organ. The ceiling is vaulted, meaning it has curved arches.
Many memorials are found inside the church, including some saved from the earlier churches. There is also a special cedar chair for the Bishop, which might also be from an older church. The arch leading to the altar area has marble columns. A simple marble altar sits in the curved space at the very front of the church.
The Residence (Rectory)
The rectory, or residence, is located between the church and the hall. It is set back from the street and hidden by a tropical garden. This building also has a smooth white finish and a decorative front wall. It has a group of three round arched windows at the front. The roof is red. The inside has decorative ceilings.
The Parish Hall
The front of the Parish Hall also faces north to Gordon Street. There is a special foundation stone at the front of the building. The hall is a rectangular building, similar to the church in its direction, but a bit larger. It also has a smooth white finish and decorative walls that match the church's design.
The front of the hall has a central section that sticks out, with three archways at the entrance. Above these, there are three arched windows set within a large round arch.
After going up some steps, you enter a reception area with a special floor design. Small meeting rooms are on either side. Stairs lead to more rooms upstairs. Through three entrance doors, you enter a large hall that is two stories high. In the center is a dance floor. The hall currently has a false ceiling and a walkway above its back section. Along each side of the hall, there's an arched walkway with a mezzanine (a low balcony) around the edge. Some parts have large, round-arched windows that go up two stories. Below the stage, there's a basement with changing rooms.
Why This Place is Special
The Holy Trinity Church Complex was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on April 29, 2003, because it meets several important requirements.
Showing Queensland's History
This large stone complex shows how Mackay grew and became important, especially because of the sugar cane industry from 1864 until today.
Its Beautiful Design
The Holy Trinity Church Complex includes three buildings constructed at different times. All of them were designed to match the unique Romanesque-inspired style of the 1923 church. The complex is a landmark in Mackay. It is important for its location, how it was planned, the quality of its details, and its overall design. The church itself is especially beautiful inside and out. It also shows the amazing work of its architect, Lange Powell.
Connection to the Community
This complex has a long and strong connection with the Anglican community in Mackay. It has been a central place for their social, cultural, and spiritual activities for many years.
Important People and Groups
The church also shows how the Anglican Church spread throughout regional Queensland. It is linked to the work of important people and groups in Queensland's history.
