St George's Anglican Church, Beenleigh facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St George's Anglican Church, Beenleigh |
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The church as it looked in 2015
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| Location | Beenleigh Historical Village, Main Street, Beenleigh, City of Logan, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1870s–1890s (late 19th century) |
| Built | 1875 |
| Architect | Francis Drummond Greville Stanley |
| Official name: St George's Anglican Church | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600001 |
| Significant period | 1876 (fabric) 1876–1964, 1981 (historical) |
| Builders | Wohlsen and Ehlers |
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St George's Anglican Church is a historic old church that is now part of the Beenleigh Historical Village in Beenleigh, Queensland, Australia. Because of its importance to history, it is protected on the Queensland Heritage Register.
The church was designed by a famous architect named Francis Drummond Greville Stanley. It was built in 1875 by a company called Wohlsen and Ehlers. Today, you can visit this historic building to see what life was like in the past.
Contents
History of the Church
In 1871, a Church of England minister named Reverend Dubois arrived in Beenleigh. At first, he held church services in the local courthouse. The community soon decided they wanted to build a proper church.
However, the project slowed down when Reverend Dubois left in 1873. A new minister, Reverend James Gilbertson, arrived in 1874, and the plans to build the church started up again.
Building a Landmark
The church was built in 1875. It was constructed on land that was given by a local pioneer named Michael Tansey. The street where the church was first built is still named after him.
St George's officially opened on Thursday, September 16, 1875. It was the very first church built in the town of Beenleigh.
A New Home for an Old Church
For many years, the church served the local community. In 1964, a new, larger church, also called St George's, was built right next to the original one.
In 1981, the old church building was carefully moved to its current location at the Beenleigh Historical Village. After being moved, it was repaired so that visitors could enjoy it for years to come.
Architectural Design
This old church is a one-story building made of timber. It sits on low concrete stumps and has a very steep roof made of corrugated iron. It is now a main attraction at the Beenleigh Historical Village.
The church has a simple rectangular shape. At the north end, there is a special area called a chancel, which is where the altar would have been. On the west side, a small porch with a pointed roof serves as the only entrance.
Unique Wooden Features
The walls are made of vertical wooden boards. You can see the wooden frame on the outside, which has a cool cross-bracing pattern. The ceiling inside is also made of wood, following the steep angle of the roof.
The entrance has decorative curved wood pieces. Four wooden steps lead up to the porch. The main doors are arched and open into the large main room of the church. Inside, the roof beams are exposed, showing how the church was built.
Tall, thin windows are grouped in threes on the end walls and are placed one by one along the side walls. In front of the church, there is a copy of the original wooden bell tower.
Why is This Church Important?
St George's Anglican Church was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on October 21, 1992. This means it is a special place that is protected for its historical and cultural value. Here are the main reasons why:
- A Link to the Past: The church is important because it was the first one ever built in Beenleigh. It shows how the town grew and developed over time.
- Beautiful Design: It is a great example of a church built with a single layer of timber. Its design shows the beautiful and decorative ways wood could be used by builders in the 1800s.
- Work of a Famous Architect: The church is one of the surviving buildings designed by Francis Drummond Greville Stanley, who was a very important architect in Queensland's history.
See also
- List of churches under the patronage of Saint George
