St Ambrose Church, Brunswick facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Ambrose Church |
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St Ambrose Church, Brunswick
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| 37°46′16″S 144°57′39″E / 37.77098°S 144.96095°E | |
| Location | 261 - 289 Sydney Road, Brunswick, Melbourne, Victoria |
| Country | Australia |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| History | |
| Status | Church |
| Founded | 1869 |
| Dedication | Saint Ambrose |
| Dedicated | 1873 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Construction cost | £6,000 |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Bluestone |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Brunswick and Moreland |
| Archdiocese | Melbourne |
St Ambrose Church is a Catholic church located on Sydney Road in Brunswick, a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It is a special building with a long history in the community.
Contents
History of St Ambrose Church
How the Church Began
In the mid-1800s, the land where St Ambrose Church now stands belonged to Mr. Michael Dawson. Around 1860, this area was also used as a camp by Aboriginal people who moved around.
Later in the 1860s, Mr. Dawson generously gave this land to the Catholic Church. He wanted a new church to be built for the people in Brunswick. Before this, Catholics in Brunswick had to travel far. They went to Coburg (north) or to the Melbourne central business district (south) for church services.
Who Was Saint Ambrose?
The church was named after Saint Ambrose (340–397 AD). He was an important leader in the church. Saint Ambrose served as the Archbishop of Milan in Italy during the fourth century. An Italian family from Milan, who lived in Brunswick, suggested naming the church after him.
Building the Church
The very first stone for the church was laid in 1869. About 800 Catholic people came to watch this important event. The building cost about £6,000 to construct. By 1873, the church was finished and ready for use.
Growing and Changing Over Time
In 1890, St Ambrose Church became its own parish. This meant it was no longer part of the Coburg parish. Nine years later, in 1899, the church building was made bigger. New parts were added, including extra transepts (the arms of the cross-shaped church), a sanctuary, two chapels, a porch, and a baptistry. A special memorial stone was also added near the northern transept on February 19, 1899.
During World War I, the church was a meeting place for people who were against conscription. Conscription is when people are forced to join the army.
The church building was carefully repaired and made new again in the year 2000.
What Makes St Ambrose Church Special?
Architectural Style and Materials
St Ambrose Church was designed in the Gothic Revival style. This style looks back to the grand churches of the Middle Ages. The church has a cruciform plan, meaning it is shaped like a cross when viewed from above.
The walls of the church are made from a strong, dark stone called bluestone. The roof is made of timber. Inside, there is an old organ from the 1800s. The church also has beautiful stained glass windows that tell stories with light and color.
Protecting Its Heritage
The church is considered very important to the history of Victoria. Because of this, Heritage Victoria has given it a "Heritage Overlay." This means the church is protected. The aim is to make sure this special place is preserved for future generations to enjoy and learn from.
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia de San Ambrosio (Brunswick) para niños
