St David's Anglican Church, Mossman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St David's Anglican Church, Mossman |
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St David's Anglican Church, Mossman, 2010
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| Location | 3 Foxton Avenue, Mossman, Shire of Douglas, Queensland, Australia |
| Architect | Edwin Roy Orchard, Edward Taffs |
| Architectural style(s) | Byzantine |
| Official name: St David's Anglican Church and Raintrees (Samanea saman) | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 6 August 2010 |
| Reference no. | 602760 |
| Significant period | 1912-1952 |
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St David's Anglican Church is a special old church in Mossman, Australia. It's listed on the Queensland Heritage Register because of its history and unique design. The church was designed by Edward Taffs and Edwin Roy Orchard. It was built in different stages between 1912 and 1952.
This church is known for its interesting stone walls and its connection to the Byzantine style of architecture. It also has beautiful, old raintrees growing nearby. These trees make the church look even more amazing.
Contents
Building St David's Church
St David's Church is a small building made of stone. It has a front porch, a main hall (called a nave), and a rounded back section (called an apse or sanctuary). Later, a vestry (a room for clergy) and a chapel were added around 1982.
This church replaced an older wooden one that was destroyed by a big cyclone in March 1911. The idea for the new stone church came from Reverend Edward Taffs. He was the local church leader for a very long time, from 1900 until 1996. He worked hard to make the church happen throughout his career.
Mossman's Early Days
Mossman is a town located inland from Port Douglas, near the Mossman River. In the late 1800s, people came here to cut down cedar trees. After the trees were gone, farmers started growing sugarcane.
A man named Daniel Hart, who came from Jamaica, was one of the first settlers. He bought land along the river in 1878. He later divided some of his land, which became the western part of Mossman town. The town was even called Hartsville for a while!
Growing sugarcane became very popular. In the mid-1890s, the Mossman Central Co-operative Mill was built. This helped the sugar industry grow even more.
The First Church and Its Name
As Mossman grew, churches started to appear. Before 1898, church leaders from Townsville would visit Port Douglas to hold services. In 1898, the Port Douglas and Mossman area got its own church parish.
The first St David's Church in Mossman was a simple wooden building. It was opened on May 29, 1899. It was named after St David, the patron saint of Wales. This was because a local farmer, Mr. RD Rex, was christened in St David's Cathedral in Hobart, Tasmania.
Reverend Taffs' Long Service
In 1904, Reverend Edward Taffs became the church leader in Mossman. He stayed there for 46 years until he passed away at age 90! He and his wife, Mary, traveled all over the area, even riding horses to places like Mount Molloy and Mount Carbine.
Reverend Taffs was very dedicated. His strong will and commitment were key to building the second St David's Church.
A Cyclone and New Plans
On March 16, 1911, a powerful cyclone hit Port Douglas and Mossman. It badly damaged many buildings, including the churches in both towns. The Mossman church was completely destroyed.
Because of the cyclone, people decided the new St David's Church should be built from stone. This would be much stronger. Reverend Taffs is believed to have designed the new church. He wanted it to look like the old buildings from the Byzantine Empire. His design included domes and rounded arches made of colored stone.
The church was planned to be about 13 meters long and 7.6 meters wide, seating 120 people.
Building Challenges and Delays
Building the new stone church was not easy. Work started in 1912 after good stone was found nearby. The Mossman Central Mill even helped transport the stones! Strong foundations were laid to protect against floods.
However, World War I (1914-1918) caused delays. After the war, another cyclone in 1920 damaged the temporary church. Money saved for the new stone church had to be used for repairs instead.
During the 1920s and 1930s, fundraising was slow because of money problems. Construction of the stone walls didn't really start until 1940. Reverend Taffs and his two grandsons did most of the work themselves! Then, World War II (1939-1945) caused even more delays, as building materials and workers were needed for the war.
Completing the Church
Reverend Taffs passed away in 1950, just two years before the church was finished. His replacement, Father Ware, made it his main goal to complete the building.
In 1951, the design was changed by architect Edwin Roy Orchard to have a simpler, less expensive roof. Finally, the church was completed in August 1952. Bishop Hudson officially opened the stone church on September 27, 1952, 40 years after construction began!
In 1979, another cyclone damaged the church's sanctuary. In 1982, a new chapel and vestry were added, completing the church as Reverend Taffs had started it.
The Amazing Raintrees
An avenue of large, old raintrees grows along Foxton Avenue, leading up to St David's Church. These trees make the church look very special and beautiful.
What are Raintrees?
Raintrees (Samanea saman) are native to places like Mexico and South America. They are known for their wide, dome-shaped canopies that provide lots of shade. The trees at St David's are very old, estimated to be between 80 and 100 years old.
A plaque at the church says that Reverend Taffs planted these trees using seeds from Jamaica. It says the seeds were brought by Daniel Hart, one of the first settlers. However, it's hard to confirm this story because Daniel Hart died before Reverend Taffs arrived in Mossman.
Raintrees are now common in coastal North Queensland. They were introduced to many tropical countries in the late 1800s for shade. People used to believe that raintrees could make rain, but this was proven to be just a story! They were also considered useful because their large seed pods could feed cattle.
What Makes St David's Special?
St David's Anglican Church and its raintrees are important for several reasons:
- A Long History: The church shows how the Anglican church grew in Queensland, especially in the far north. It took 40 years to build, showing the dedication of Reverend Taffs and the local community. It also highlights how difficult it was to raise money for building projects in remote areas during the early 1900s.
- Beautiful Design: The church's unique stone walls and its Byzantine-inspired design make it stand out. The large, fern-covered raintrees create a stunning entrance, forming a tunnel of shade that leads to the church. This beautiful setting adds a lot to the town of Mossman.
