St John's Lutheran Church, Bundaberg facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St John's Lutheran Church, Bundaberg |
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St John's Lutheran Church, 2010
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| Location | 30 George Street, Bundaberg South, Bundaberg, Bundaberg Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1940s–1960s (post-World War II) |
| Built | 1960 |
| Architect | Karl Langer |
| Architectural style(s) | Modernism |
| Official name: St John's Lutheran Church, Bundaberg | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 7 December 2012 |
| Reference no. | 602815 |
| Significant period | 1960 |
| Significant components | church |
| Builders | J Hutchinson and Sons |
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St John's Lutheran Church is a special church in Bundaberg, Australia. It is located at 30 George Street in Bundaberg South. This church was designed by a famous architect named Karl Langer. It was built in 1960 by J Hutchinson and Sons. The church is so important that it was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on December 7, 2012. This means it is protected for future generations to enjoy.
Contents
History of St John's Lutheran Church
St John's Lutheran Church was built in 1960. It was designed to be the main Lutheran church for the people of Bundaberg. Today, the church is still used regularly by its community and the nearby Lutheran school.
Early Days in Bundaberg
Bundaberg started as a small settlement in 1867. It grew into an important farming and port town. In the 1870s, sugar farming became a big part of Bundaberg's growth. German farmers moved to the area in 1871. They brought the Lutheran faith with them.
Lutheran Faith in Queensland
Lutheranism is a type of Christianity that focuses strongly on the Bible. Lutherans believe the Bible is the main source of their faith. The first Lutherans came to Australia from Prussia in 1838. They started communities in South Australia and near Moreton Bay.
In 1857, Pastor Carl Franz Alexander Schirmeister helped set up Lutheran churches in Brisbane, Ipswich, and Toowoomba. Over the years, the Lutheran faith spread across Queensland. Many German immigrants came to Queensland, and even though not all were Lutheran, their churches grew.
St John's Church Buildings
The Lutheran faith officially started in Bundaberg in 1873. Pastor Carl Hellmuth from Maryborough held the first services. In 1882, the first St John's church was built. It was a simple timber building. However, it often flooded.
So, in 1890, new land was bought on higher ground. The second St John's church, also made of timber, was built there in 1892.
Growing Bundaberg and New Churches
After World War II, Bundaberg grew a lot. The city council worked to make the city better. Many new buildings were constructed, like hospitals and schools. The population of Bundaberg increased from 18,000 in 1952 to 27,000 in 1967.
The 1950s and 1960s were a time when many people went to church. Churches had more money and more members. They started building new, larger churches, often replacing older timber ones. These new churches were often made of brick and had a modern style.
Planning the New Church
In 1940, Pastor M Reuther received a donation for a new brick church. Later, in 1947, Emilie Lovgren left £6,000 in her will to build a tower or steeple for a new church. By 1955, enough money was raised. That year, Karl Langer was chosen to design the new church.
About Karl Langer, the Architect
Karl Langer (1903–1969) was born in Vienna, Austria. He studied architecture and was very talented. In 1933, he earned a PhD for his work on concrete buildings.
Langer moved to Australia in 1939. He brought new ideas about modern design from Europe. He taught architecture at the University of Queensland. He also wrote a book called Sub-Tropical Housing in 1944. This book helped architects design homes for Queensland's warm climate.
Langer worked on many town planning projects across Queensland. He also designed many different types of buildings. His work greatly influenced how buildings looked in Queensland from the 1940s until he passed away in 1969. Some of his famous buildings include the Langer residence in St Lucia and the Chapel of St Peter's Lutheran College in Indooroopilly.
Modern Design for Churches
Modernism was a design style that became popular after World War II. It focused on clear, simple shapes and details. Churches started to look brighter and simpler. They used new materials but still kept traditional symbols.
Langer combined old Greek architecture ideas with modern European design. He often designed buildings to fit well with the surrounding landscape. For St John's, he planned a simple, box-like church with a very tall spire. He wanted the front of the church to look like an open Bible with large verses. This showed the importance of the Bible in the Lutheran faith.
Langer also thought about Queensland's climate. His designs often used natural light and air. At St John's, the church has simple ways to let in fresh air and natural light.
Building the Church
Construction for the new St John's Lutheran Church began in 1958. J Hutchinson and Sons built the church. Many church members helped out as volunteers. They dug foundations, moved bricks, and mixed concrete. This helped keep costs down.
The church was finished in 1960. The total cost, including the organ and furniture, was £61,000. A special dedication service was held on April 3, 1960, with 1400 people attending.
Special Features Inside
A large timber crucifix, about 4.5 meters long, was made for the wall above the altar. The figure of Christ on the cross was carved by Alfred Schubert, a skilled woodcarver from Melbourne.
Some items from the old church were moved to the new one. These included:
- Stained glass panels for the new windows.
- The baptismal font, given to the church in 1883.
- The pipe organ, first installed in 1899.
- The church bell, made in Maryborough in 1892.
- A special German Bible with silver clasps, given by the Empress Augusta Victoria of Germany in 1911.
School on Site
The old timber church building was moved and used as a kitchen and hall. In 1977, a Christian Day School was started on the site. This school, now St John's Lutheran Primary School, has grown a lot. It uses the church regularly.
Changes Over Time
The church has not changed much since it was built. Around 2009, the altar area was made a bit larger. Some bricks on the outside walls were smoothed and painted. The pulpit's original timber canopy was removed but kept safe.
St John's Lutheran Church has been a central place for the Lutheran community in Bundaberg since 1892. It is a well-known building in the area. The church has been used continuously for baptisms, weddings, funerals, and regular services for many generations.
What St John's Lutheran Church Looks Like
St John's Lutheran Church stands out on a corner in a quiet part of Bundaberg. It is located at the center of a block surrounded by George, Boundary, and Bell Streets, with the school to the east.
The church is shaped like a rectangle, about 41 meters long and 17 meters wide. The main entrance faces north. It has a simple, box-like shape with a large, tiled roof. A very tall, thin spire rises almost 44 meters high. A copper cross on top adds another 2.7 meters and lights up at night.
Outside the Church
The outside walls are made of orange bricks. Some bricks stick out, creating a cool pattern. The lower parts of the walls are painted. Large Christian symbols are made from projecting bricks on the tower's side walls.
The church's entrance is a simple, open concrete porch, called a portico. Above the portico, the tower looks like an open Bible. It has large, white letters on a dark grey background that read:
- "GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD, THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH, BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE. JOHN III. 16"
- "BELOVED IF GOD SO LOVED US, WE OUGHT ALSO TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER, IF WE LOVE ONE ANOTHER. GOD DWELLETH IN US AND HIS LOVE IS PERFECTED IN US. 1. JOHN IV, 11–12"
On the walls of the portico, there are two round mosaic pictures. One shows St John's eagle, and the other shows Luther's Seal. Two stone plaques are also on the wall, remembering Emilie Lovgreen and marking the laying of the first stone.
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Inside the Church
You enter the church through a vestibule (an entry hall) with large steel gates. The vestibule has a low ceiling made of timber. From here, you can go into an office or a rest room area. The rest room area includes a crying room, which is a special quiet room for parents with young children during the service. These rooms still have their original furniture.
The main part of the church is called the nave. It is a large, bright space. The walls and ceiling are white, and the timber elements are stained and varnished. The floor has concrete squares with a red and gold carpet down the middle.
The pews (church benches) are made of silky oak wood. Each pew end has a carving of "Praying Hands" by Durer. Twelve large windows light up the nave. They have beautiful stained glass panels showing scenes from the Gospel of St John. Some of these panels include older glass from the previous church.
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The sanctuary is the area around the altar. It is framed by decorative timber screens. There is a timber pulpit (where sermons are given) on the left and a lectern (where readings are done) on the right. The altar is made of concrete and decorated with colorful mosaic tiles. Above the altar is the large timber crucifix.
On either side of the sanctuary are the vestries, which are rooms used by the clergy and for preparing for services.
Above the entrance vestibule is the choir loft. This is where the choir sings and the organ is located. The loft has tiered seating and timber walls that help project sound into the nave.
The church also has many movable items, like candlesticks, old photographs, and a scale model of the earlier 1892 church. Many of these items are original or came from the older churches.
Outside, the church has grass areas, shrubs, and some tall palm trees. Concrete paths and stairs surround the building.
Why St John's Lutheran Church is Important
St John's Lutheran Church in Bundaberg was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on December 7, 2012. This means it is recognized as a very important historical place.
- Shows Queensland's History: The church shows how Bundaberg grew, especially with Lutheran immigrants settling there from the 1870s. It also represents how Christian religions changed and modernized after World War II. Its design, like the "open Bible" front, shows the core beliefs of the Lutheran faith.
- Shows Modern Church Design: This church is a great example of a Modernist church in Queensland. It has simple shapes and spaces, using high-quality materials. It features a tall bell tower, a bright main worship area (nave), a choir loft, and a crying room. It is also a wonderful example of architect Dr Karl Langer's work. He used simple forms, natural light, and good quality materials in his designs.
- Beautiful and Meaningful: The church is known for its high-quality design and construction. Its tall spire and the Bible verses on its front make it stand out. The inside of the church is simple yet grand, with white walls, beautiful timber, and long colored glass windows that fill the space with light. The finely carved timber furniture, like the "praying hands" on the pews, adds to its beauty.
