Holy Trinity Parish Hall, Fortitude Valley facts for kids
The Holy Trinity Parish Hall is a special old building in Fortitude Valley, Queensland, Australia. It's an Anglican church hall that has a rich history. Designed by architect John Hingeston Buckeridge, it was built between 1891 and 1892 by John Quinn. This important building is officially listed on the Queensland Heritage Register, which means it's protected for its historical value.
Quick facts for kids Holy Trinity Parish Hall, Fortitude Valley |
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Holy Trinity Parish Hall, 2009
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| Location | 141 Brookes Street, Fortitude Valley, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1870s - 1890s (late 19th century) |
| Built | 1891 - 1892 |
| Architect | John Hingeston Buckeridge |
| Architectural style(s) | Gothic |
| Official name: Holy Trinity Parish Hall | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600203 |
| Significant period | 1891-1892 (fabric) |
| Significant components | plaque, classroom/classroom block/teaching area, wall/s - retaining, hall |
| Builders | John Quinn |
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The Hall's Story
The Holy Trinity Parish Hall is a large brick building. It was built from 1891 to 1892. It replaced an older stone schoolroom that used to be on the same spot.
Early Days of the Church
The Church of England was one of the first churches in Queensland. The first parish, St John's in Brisbane, started in 1849. It covered a very large area, including places like Milton and Sandgate.
By the mid-1850s, a small town was growing in Fortitude Valley. It had over 100 houses. Getting to St John's Church in Brisbane was hard for people in Fortitude Valley. The main road, Ann Street, was steep and rough.
A New Parish for Fortitude Valley
Because more people were moving to the area, a new parish called Holy Trinity was created in 1856. It included Fortitude Valley, Bowen Hills, and New Farm. At first, they rented a small house on Ann and Ballow Streets. It was used as a school during the week and a church on Sundays.
In 1857, the government gave the church two acres of land. This land is where the Holy Trinity Church, rectory, and the Parish Hall stand today. A long stone building was built on this land. It served as both a school and a temporary church.
Growing Community Needs
The Anglican Diocese of Brisbane was formed in 1859. Fortitude Valley grew a lot in the 1860s and 1870s. The stone building from 1857 was made bigger in 1862. But soon, the community needed an even larger church.
A new Holy Trinity Church was built from 1876 to 1877. It was designed by Francis Drummond Greville Stanley. The old stone building continued to be used as a schoolroom. In 1889, a new rectory (the priest's house) was also built.
Building the Parish Hall
In 1891, the church sold some land they owned. This money likely helped pay for the new brick parish hall. The old stone schoolroom was taken down to make space for it.
The Holy Trinity Parish Hall was designed by John Hingeston Buckeridge. He was the main architect for the Brisbane Diocese from 1887 to 1902. He designed many church buildings in Queensland.
The first stone for the new hall was laid on October 17, 1891. This was done by Bishop William Webber. The building was finished in about three months by John Quinn. It cost about £1,775. The hall was officially opened on January 23, 1892, by the Governor of Queensland, Sir Henry Wylie Norman.
When it was finished, people said it was a "very creditable addition" to the Valley's buildings. The hall had a large main room, two side sections, and four classrooms. The classrooms could be opened up to the main hall with folding doors. There was also a stage and a special area for young children. The building could hold over 500 children or 400 adults.
Most church buildings in Brisbane at that time were made of wood because it was cheaper. Building this hall with brick was unusual. It showed that the Holy Trinity parish was quite wealthy in the late 1800s.
What the Hall Looks Like
The Holy Trinity Parish Hall is next to the Holy Trinity Church and the Holy Trinity Rectory. All three buildings are on land bordered by Brookes, Church, and Wickham streets. They all look good together because they are similar in size and are all made of brick. They also share a similar Gothic style and are set in a nice garden.
Design and Features
The Parish Hall is a large, single-story brick building. It has a roof with many gables (the triangular part of a wall under a sloping roof). It's a simple but well-designed building. It uses features common in Gothic-style churches, like its cross-shaped layout (cruciform plan), a small spire on the roof for ventilation, and tall, narrow windows called lancet windows.
The building sits on a base of light cream bricks. The red brick walls have decorative bands of the same cream bricks. These bands highlight the walls and the window sills. The windows are simple lancet windows. The doors have flat stone tops or pointed arches made of cream brick. The roof is made of corrugated iron, with the timber frame visible inside. There's a timber spire with vents where the main roof and side sections meet.
On the outside, there's a marble plaque near the main entrance. It says that the foundation stone was laid on October 17, 1891, by the Bishop of Brisbane. It also names the architect, JH Buckeridge, and the contractor, John Quinn.
Above the main entrance, another plaque says the Sunday School was opened by Sir Henry Wylie Norman on January 23, 1892. It also names the rector and superintendent.
Inside, there's one large, tall central room. Four smaller former classrooms are along each long side. These rooms are separated by arched openings with folding timber doors. The inside walls are plastered, and the floor is made of narrow timber boards.
Outside, there's a small grassy yard facing Church Street. It has some plants and a low brick wall along the road.
Why the Hall is Important
The Holy Trinity Parish Hall was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on October 21, 1992. This means it's recognized as a special place for several reasons.
Part of Queensland's History
The Holy Trinity Parish Hall is part of a group of church buildings. This group includes the Holy Trinity Church and the Holy Trinity Rectory. Together, they show how the Anglican Church grew in Queensland in the late 1800s. This is an important part of the state's history. The hall also shows how Brisbane's suburbs expanded during that time.
Unique Building Style
The Holy Trinity Parish Hall is special because it's one of the few church halls from the 1800s in Queensland made of brick. Most were made of wood. This makes it a rare example of its kind.
Great Example of its Type
The hall is a good example of a large schoolroom and hall from that period. It uses Gothic design elements, like its cross shape, the spire on the roof, and its lancet windows. The parish was very strong in the late 1800s, and the hall's large size and brick construction show how well-off the church members were. Even though it's grand, the inside is simple, which fits its church purpose.
The building is also a great example of the work of architect JH Buckeridge. Its design, materials, and garden setting make it beautiful. The Holy Trinity group of buildings, including the hall, is a very good example of a well-preserved church area from the late 1800s in Queensland. They all match in size, shape, materials, and Gothic design.
Beautiful Design
The hall's design, materials, and garden setting give it a special beauty. It's a fine example of architect JH Buckeridge's church work. Since the late 1800s, the Holy Trinity area has added a lot to the look of Brisbane.
Important to the Community
The Holy Trinity Parish Hall has been important to the Holy Trinity parish community since 1892. It has served as a place for social, cultural, and spiritual gatherings for many years.
