St Denys Anglican Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Denys Anglican Church, Amiens |
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St Denys Anglican Church, Amiens, 2015
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| Location | 17 Trevethan Lane, Amiens, Southern Downs Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1919 - 1930s (interwar period) |
| Built | 1923 - 1923 |
| Architectural style(s) | Gothic |
| Official name: St Denys Anglican Church, Church of St Denys | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 3 August 2005 |
| Reference no. | 602530 |
| Significant period | 1920s (historical) ongoing (social) |
| Significant components | church, furniture/fittings, views to |
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St Denys Anglican Church is a special old church located at 17 Trevethan Lane in Amiens, Queensland, Australia. It was built in 1923 and is also known as the Church of St Denys. This church is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register because of its important history.
Contents
Discover the Church's Past
The Church of St Denys is a small wooden church built in 1923. It was made to serve a special community in Amiens: soldier settlers. These were soldiers who returned home after World War I and were given land to start new lives.
Soldier Settlements in Australia
After World War I, the government wanted to help soldiers who had fought for their country. They set aside land for these returned soldiers to become farmers. This idea was meant to create a good life for them and help develop farming in regional Australia. However, many of these farms were too small. This made it hard for the soldiers to earn enough money from their land. In the Stanthorpe Shire area, where Amiens is, over 700 soldiers were given land.
Building the Church
In 1922, a group called the Soldiers' Church of England Help Society gave money to help Reverend C D Gillman. He was a returned soldier himself and lived in Amiens. He worked with the soldier settlements. The church was built in 1923 using £335 from the society.
Special Gifts from France
The church has some very special items that connect it to World War I. The altar ornaments and a cloth used on the altar came from an Australian army base in Le Havre, France. People believe these items originally came from the Amiens Cathedral in France. They were given to the church in Amiens, Queensland, as a thank you. This was to honor the Australian soldiers who fought bravely in France during the war, especially in battles like the Battle of Amiens. Also, the altar and a small table called a credence table were given to the church by a ladies' group in London in 1923.
A Church for Its Community
The simple style of the church shows the modest lives of the soldier settlers in Amiens. The church truly reflects the community it serves. The name "St Denys" is also important. Saint Denys is the patron saint of France. Naming the church after him connects it to the soldiers' experiences in France. The gifts from France also show how much the war affected those who returned home.
Today, volunteers, many of whom are descendants of the original soldier settlers, help maintain the church. It doesn't have a full-time priest but is part of the Stanthorpe parish. Church services are held sometimes, and notices are put in the local newspaper. The church is still in great condition, with only new steps added about 10 years ago.
What the Church Looks Like
St Denys Anglican Church sits on flat ground. Behind it is a low hill covered with large granite rocks. To the east of the church, there are more rocks and some local eucalyptus trees. Amiens is in an area known as the Granite Belt of Queensland, famous for its granite formations.
Church Building Details
The church is a small, one-story building made of timber. It has a rectangular shape and sits on low, round concrete posts. The roof is very steep and covered with corrugated iron. The entrance porch is at the back of the building. It also has a small, steep roof. You get to the porch by recently added wooden steps with a steel staircase. The church has three small, pointed windows along each side.
Inside, a single arched doorway leads from the entrance to the main part of the church. The interior is simple and plain. The ceiling and floor are made of stained cypress pine wood. The altar is on a low platform. It holds a brass cross, two candlesticks, and a stand for reading. The area around the altar also has a wooden cabinet and a bench with a desk. The cloth on the altar is very special because it connects the church to the battlefield church in Le Havre, France.
Why St Denys Church is Important
St Denys Anglican Church was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on August 3, 2005. This means it's recognized as a very important historical place.
Showing Queensland's History
The church is important because it shows us about the soldier settlement movement after World War I. It also shows how the Pikedale area was settled more closely. The church has a direct link to France through its name, St Denys, the patron saint of France. It also has a link through the special altar cloth and ornaments. These items came from the Cathedral in Amiens, France, and were used in a military church at an Australian base in Le Havre.
Connecting with the Community
St Denys Church has a strong connection with the people of Amiens and the surrounding area. For over eighty years, it has provided spiritual care and a place for people to connect. This makes it very important to the community for both spiritual and cultural reasons.
