St James' Cathedral, Townsville facts for kids

Quick facts for kids St James' Cathedral
St James' Cathedral, 1993
19°15′20″S 146°49′00″E / 19.2555°S 146.8167°E / -19.2555; 146.8167
Country	Australia
Denomination	Anglican Church of Australia
History
Status	Cathedral
Founded	27 June 1887 (1887-06-27)
Founder(s)	Bishop George Henry Stanton
Consecrated	27 October 1892 by Bishop Christopher Barlow
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Architect(s)	Arthur Blacket Walter Morris Eyre Louis Williams Black and Paulsen
Architectural type	Church
Style	Gothic Revival
Years built	1887–1960
Specifications
Materials	Red brick
Administration
Diocese	North Queensland

St James' Cathedral is a special church building in Townsville, Australia. It is known as a cathedral because it is the main church for the Anglican Diocese of North Queensland. This beautiful red-brick building sits on top of Melton Hill. It is a well-known landmark in the city. The cathedral was designed by Arthur Blacket and built by MacMahon & Cliffe. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 1992, which means it's an important historical place.

Building St James' Cathedral

St James' Church, around 1875

St James' Cathedral was built in two main parts. The first part was constructed between 1887 and 1892. The second part was finished much later, from 1959 to 1960. Before this cathedral, Anglican church services in Townsville were held in the local court house.

The very first Anglican church in Townsville was built on Melton Hill. Work on this first church began on May 24, 1871. It was made of wood with a shingle roof.

Becoming a Cathedral

In 1878, a new church area called the Diocese of North Queensland was created. Townsville's St James' Church became its main church, or cathedral. The first bishop for this new area was George Henry Stanton. He arrived in Townsville in May 1879. After becoming a cathedral, St James' Church was made bigger in 1880. An organ was added in 1884.

Plans for a brand new, larger cathedral started in 1883. The idea was approved in 1884. At first, they wanted a famous architect named John Horbury Hunt to design it. But in 1885, Arthur Blacket from Sydney was chosen instead. His first designs were for a huge stone cathedral. It would have held 1000 people.

Construction Challenges

The church leaders had to change the plans many times. The final design was for a stone church with a central tower. It was meant to cost £24,000. They planned to build it in sections.

In 1887, construction began. The first stone was laid on June 27, 1887. This was during the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria. Local builders MacMahon & Cliffe started the work. However, there wasn't enough money. This forced more changes to the design. The cathedral was built with red brick instead of stone. It also had a temporary roof and no towers at first.

Work stopped in November 1887 because of money problems. Arthur Blacket was no longer the architect in 1890. Work started again in 1891 with Walter Morris Eyre overseeing the building. To save money, red brick was used instead of sandstone. Concrete replaced marble and granite.

First Stage Completion

Planned design for the finished St James' Cathedral, as it looked in 1892

Because of a lack of money, only half of the cathedral was built at first. This included the apse (rounded end), chancel (area around the altar), transepts (parts that stick out like arms), and part of the main hall (nave). A temporary roof was put on. In 1892, the pipe organ was moved into the new cathedral. This first part of the cathedral was officially opened on October 27, 1892. Bishop Christopher Barlow led the ceremony.

Storms and Rebuilding

Storm damage to the Anglican Cathedral, Townsville, 1903

In 1896, Cyclone Sigma hit Townsville. The cathedral was not badly damaged. Between 1900 and 1902, a second organ was bought. Both organs were combined into one in 1958.

On March 9, 1903, Cyclone Leonta struck Townsville. This storm destroyed the old 1871 St James' Church. It also damaged the temporary roof of the new cathedral. The cathedral was quickly rebuilt with stronger, higher walls and a permanent roof. This cost £2,500.

The unfinished cathedral, around 1924

Final Completion

The second part of the cathedral was built from 1959 to 1960. This included the western extension and the tower. Louis Williams from Melbourne designed this part. A German-born sculptor named Erwin Guth created the statue of St James. The last foundation stone was laid in 1960, marking the cathedral's completion.

In 1972, Cyclone Althea severely damaged the main front of the cathedral. It also damaged the statue of St James and parts of the roof. These damages were repaired in the same year. The fully completed cathedral was officially opened in 1978. Today, it is also used as a concert hall for the Townsville community.

What the Cathedral Looks Like

Rear view of the cathedral, 2013

St James' Anglican Cathedral is made of red brick with stone details. It sits on a terraced area on Melton Hill. You can see it between the Townsville city centre and Cleveland Bay.

The building is in the Gothic Revival style. This means it looks like older European churches. You can clearly see the two different building stages. The main roof is covered with slate. It has a small pointed top (spire) where the main hall (nave) and side parts (transept) meet.

Inside, the chancel (area around the altar) has a walkway around it called an ambulatory. This area also has a vestry (a room for clergy) and a Seaman's Chapel. The north transept has a large area for the organ. The roof inside shows exposed wooden beams. Large cast iron columns separate the side aisles from the main hall. Above these columns are clerestory windows, which are high windows that let in light. The older part of the building has beautiful stained glass windows.

The part added in 1959 looks more modern. It has amber glass windows with concrete screens on the outside. The main entrance has a large pointed arch. The floors are concrete. Inside, you'll find carved wooden pews (church benches), a reredos screen (decoration behind the altar), and a pulpit (where sermons are given). A large statue of St James is on a bell tower near the entrance.

Why St James' Cathedral is Important

St James' Cathedral is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register. This means it's recognized for its historical and cultural value.

• History: The cathedral shows how the Anglican Church grew in North Queensland in the late 1800s and mid-1900s.
• Beauty: It is a beautiful building that stands out in Townsville. Its size, shape, and materials make it a major landmark. The inside of the church also shows great skill and craftsmanship.
• Community: For over a century, it has been a very important place for Anglican worship and community life in Townsville. It's part of a historic group of church buildings, including the Synod Hall (built in 1888).
• People: The cathedral is linked to the work of important architects. These include Arthur Blacket from the 1800s and Louis Williams from the 1900s. They both made big contributions to church architecture in Australia.

Deans of St James' Cathedral

The "Dean" is the main priest in charge of a cathedral. Here are the people who have served as deans of St James' Cathedral in Townsville: