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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Holy Trinity Church is a special old church located on Saibai Island in the Torres Strait Island Region of Queensland, Australia. It's an Anglican church, which is a type of Christian church. People started building it around 1917, and it was finished in 1938. It's also known as Holy Trinity Church of England. This church is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register, which means it's an important historical place.
Contents
The Story of Holy Trinity Church
Early Missionaries Arrive
The first Christian missionaries came to the Torres Strait Islands in the late 1800s. In July 1871, missionaries from the London Missionary Society (LMS) arrived at Saibai Island. They wanted to share the Christian faith with the local people.
Before Holy Trinity Church, there was another church building on Saibai Island. It was built in 1881. The Holy Trinity Church replaced this earlier building.
The "Coming of the Light"
A very important event for Torres Strait Islanders happened on July 1, 1871. This is when the London Missionary Society missionaries first arrived at Darnley Island. This day is called the "Coming of the Light" and is celebrated every year by Torres Strait Islanders. It marks the arrival of Christianity in the region.
After Darnley Island, the missionaries traveled to other islands, including Saibai. They left Islander missionaries, like Josaia and Sivene, on Saibai and Dauan Island. These Islander teachers helped share the Christian message.
How the Church Was Built
Building Holy Trinity Church was a huge effort that took about 19 years! Three generations of Saibai Islanders worked together on it. The men from Saibai Island worked on fishing boats to earn money. This money helped them buy important materials like timber, cement, and roofing for the church.
The church was built using materials found nearby. They used Portland cement for the strong foundations and floor. For the thick walls, they mixed crushed coral, sand, and cement. The coral was gathered from reefs around Saibai and Dauan islands. Islanders burned the coral on the beach to make lime, which was then mixed with sand and gravel.
Timber for the roof came from the New Guinea mainland. Some wood was even reused from the older church building. Islanders from Dauan helped with the coral, and people from Boigu Island brought food for the workers during the rainy season.
Local Saibai Islanders were the main carpenters. A European mission carpenter helped with the roof. The plans for the church were provided by Rev John Done, who visited the site often.
Dedication and Bell
The foundation stone of Holy Trinity Church was blessed on July 24, 1926. Many years later, the church was officially opened and dedicated on December 4, 1938. Over 1,500 people came to the dedication! They traveled from all over the Torres Strait and New Guinea in boats and canoes.
The church's bell was given by Thomas Soki and put in the bell tower around the time of World War II. Before the bell, people used a special shell called a "bu-shell" to call everyone to church.
Special Carvings
Inside Holy Trinity Church, you can see beautiful hand-carved furniture made from Wongai plum wood. Some of these carvings were from the older church building, "Panetha." Other new carvings were made especially for Holy Trinity. Islanders like Aki, Kebisu Baira, and Daku Garmai were involved in creating these special pieces, which included a cross, candlesticks, and a lectern.
What the Church Looks Like
Holy Trinity Church is right on the waterfront of Saibai Island. It's very close to the water, only about 12 meters away, and a sea wall protects it from waves. You can even see New Guinea from the church, which is less than 7 kilometers away!
The church is built with strong concrete for its foundations, floor, and walls. The roof is made of timber and covered with fibrous cement. Inside, you can see the wooden roof supports, which look very impressive.
The church has a simple shape with three main parts extending from the central area. There's an entrance at the front, a small area at the back facing the coast, and a bell tower on one side. The bell tower is no longer used for its original purpose.
Around the church, there's grass, a few trees, and shrubs. You'll also see a separate wooden bell tower and a crucifix (a cross with an image of Jesus). A white tank at the back collects rainwater.
Why Holy Trinity Church is Special
Holy Trinity Church is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register because it's very important to the history and culture of Queensland.
- A Link to the Past: It shows how Christian missionary work developed in the Torres Strait Islands starting in 1871.
- A Unique Building: It's a great example of a Torres Strait Christian church. It was built over many years by Saibai Islanders and missionaries using local materials like burnt coral, mangrove timber, and Wongai plum wood. It even includes parts from the older church.
- Important to the Community: The church has a very strong and special meaning for Torres Strait Christians. It has been a central place for Christian worship on Saibai Island since before 1881. It also has strong ties to the London Missionary Society and the Anglican Church.
