Holy Trinity Church, Saibai Island facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Holy Trinity Church, Saibai Island |
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Holy Trinity Church, still under construction, 1934
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| Location | Saibai Island, Torres Strait Island Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Built | 1926 - 1938 |
| Architectural style(s) | Classicism |
| Official name: Holy Trinity Church, Holy Trinity Church of England | |
| Type | state heritage (landscape, built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600874 |
| Significant period | 1870s-1920s (historical) 1917-1930s (fabric) |
| Significant components | views to, tower - bell / belfry, furniture/fittings, church |
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The Holy Trinity Church is a very old and important Anglican church located on Saibai Island in the Torres Strait Island Region of Queensland, Australia. It was built between 1917 and 1938. This church is also known as Holy Trinity Church of England. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992 because of its special history and meaning.
Contents
A Church with a Long History
Early Missionaries Arrive
Christian missionaries first came to the Torres Strait in 1867. They were from a group called the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. Later, in July 1871, another group called the London Missionary Society (LMS) arrived. They landed on Saibai Island in July 1871.
The very first church building for Christian worship on Saibai Island was built in 1881. This building was later replaced by the Holy Trinity Church. Work on the Holy Trinity Church started around 1917 and finished around 1938.
The "Coming of the Light"
In 1871, the London Missionary Society arrived in the Torres Strait on a ship called Surprise. They had to leave other islands and decided to come to the Torres Strait and New Guinea. Two English missionaries, Revs S. Macfarlane and A.W. Murray, came with eight evangelists (teachers) from the Loyalty Islands and their wives.
They arrived at Darnley Island (Erub) on 1 July 1871. This important event is now known as the "Coming of the Light". Torres Strait Islanders celebrate this day every year.
Spreading the Word
After leaving missionaries on Darnley Island, the Surprise travelled to other islands. They left two Islander missionaries, Josaia and Sivene, on Saibai and Dauan. More missionaries were left on Yorke and Yam Islands. The London Missionary Society set up a temporary base on the mainland to help spread their work.
Between 1871 and 1878, many Pacific Islander teachers helped teach Christianity in the Torres Strait and New Guinea. These teachers were mostly from places like the Loyalty Islands and Cook Islands.
Government and Church Working Together
The Queensland Government took control of the Torres Strait islands in 1872 and 1879. This was to protect important shipping routes and control the valuable pearl and sea cucumber industries. The government moved its main office to Thursday Island in 1877. However, they didn't have many resources, so the London Missionary Society helped manage the islands.
A special school called the Papuan Institute was started on Mer. It trained Torres Strait Islanders to become priests. This helped local people lead worship.
A New Chapter for the Church
By 1890, the London Missionary Society started to slow down its work in the Torres Strait. Many islanders had become Christians. Islander priests, trained at the Papuan Institute, then led worship on the islands.
In 1914, the Anglican Church took over the missionary work in the Torres Strait. This happened because the London Missionary Society was having money problems. The Anglican Church continued the "Coming of the Light" celebrations. This helped keep the traditions alive and is still celebrated today by Torres Strait Islanders.
Building the Holy Trinity Church
The first church building on Saibai was a simple "island style building." It was replaced by a stronger building called "Panetha" in 1881.
Later, the community decided that "Panetha" needed to be replaced. A temporary church, "Mari Yoewth," was made from parts of "Panetha" while the new Holy Trinity Church was being built.
It took 19 years to build the Holy Trinity Church! Three generations of Saibai Islanders worked on it. Saibai men worked on fishing boats to earn money for building materials like timber, cement, and roofing.
They used local materials for construction. They used Portland cement for the foundations and floor. The thick walls were made from crushed coral, sand, and cement mixed together. They also used mangrove timber for the framework and wongai timber for the roof. Islanders brought coral from nearby reefs, burned it to make lime, and mixed it with sand and gravel. People from Dauan and Boigu Islands helped with the coral and provided food for the workers.
Saibai Islanders were the main carpenters, including Kanai, Baudu, Isua, Elu, Zsunai, Aniba, Bamaga, and Waiangu. A European carpenter helped with the roof, and Rev John Done provided plans.
The foundation stone of Holy Trinity Church was blessed on 24 July 1926. The church was officially opened on 4 December 1938. Over 1500 people from all over the Torres Strait and New Guinea came for the dedication!
The Holy Trinity bell was given by Thomas Soki and put in the bell tower around World War II. Before the bell, a special shell called a bu-shell was used to call people to church.
The church has beautiful hand-carved furniture made from Wongai plum wood. Some pieces were from the old "Panetha" church, and new ones were also carved for Holy Trinity.
What the Church Looks Like
Holy Trinity Church is right on the waterfront of Saibai Island. It faces New Guinea, which is less than 7 kilometers (about 4 miles) away. A sea wall protects the church from the waves.
The building is made of strong concrete for its foundations, floor, and walls. These were made from crushed coral, sand, and cement. The roof is made of timber and covered with fibrous cement sheets. Inside, you can see the timber roof supports.
The church has a simple shape with a main rectangular area called the nave. It has three sections that stick out: an entrance at the front, an alcove at the back facing the coast, and a bell tower on one side. There are double arched doors on each side of the building. The bell tower is not used anymore, and its upper part is made of concrete blocks.
The church grounds are grassy with a few trees and bushes. Next to the church, there's a separate timber bell tower. Behind it, there's a freestanding crucifix with an image of Jesus. A white tank at the back collects rainwater.
Why Holy Trinity Church is Special
Holy Trinity Church is very important because it shows how Christianity grew in the Torres Strait since 1871.
It's a great example of a Torres Strait Christian church. Islanders and missionaries built it over 19 years using local materials like burnt coral, mangrove timber, and Wongai plum wood. They even used parts and carved furniture from the older "Panetha" church. It shows how Torres Strait building styles influenced the design.
The church has a very strong and special meaning for Torres Strait Christians. It has been a central place for Christian worship since before 1881. It connects the community to the London Missionary Society and the Anglican Church.
