St John the Baptist Anglican Church, Bulimba facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St John the Baptist Anglican Church |
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Bulimba Anglican Church, 2008
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| Location | 171 Oxford Street, Bulimba, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1870s–1890s (late 19th century) |
| Built | 1888–1930s circa |
| Architect | John Hingeston Buckeridge |
| Architectural style(s) | Gothic |
| Official name: St John the Baptist Anglican Church | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 9 July 2003 |
| Reference no. | 601174 |
| Significant period | 1880s–1890s (historical) 1880s–1930s (fabric) |
| Significant components | tower – bell / belfry, church, furniture/fittings, stained glass window/s, views to |
| Builders | T Whitty |
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St John the Baptist Anglican Church is a historic church located at 171 Oxford Street, Bulimba, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by John Hingeston Buckeridge and built in 1888 by T Whitty. This beautiful timber church is an important part of Queensland's history. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 9 July 2003.
Interestingly, Kevin Rudd, who later became the Australian Prime Minister, attended this church for many years. It was located in the area he represented as a politician, known as the Division of Griffith.
Contents
The Church's Story: A Look at Its History
St John the Baptist Anglican Church is a timber building that was built in 1888. It stands out at a busy intersection on Bulimba's main street.
Early Days of Bulimba and the Church
European settlers first came to Bulimba in the early 1850s. They farmed small crops and fished along the river. David McConnel built a large home called Bulimba House here. He used the land to help cattle get used to the climate before moving them to his farm, Cressbrook. He also grew corn and oats to feed them.
In 1864, a big part of the Bulimba House land was divided into blocks for homes. A ferry started running across the Brisbane River between Bulimba and the city in 1864. Since the river was the easiest way to get to Brisbane, boat building became an important local industry.
At first, Anglican churchgoers in Bulimba went to St Andrews in South Brisbane. In October 1868, Christ Church Anglican in Tingalpa was opened. Local residents, led by Charles Coxen, raised money to build this church for both Bulimba and Tingalpa.
By 1872, Bulimba had its own post office. From the 1870s, more and more people moved to the area. This was part of a big building boom in the 1880s. In 1881, the Presbyterians built their own church in Bulimba.
Building the Anglican Church in Bulimba
In 1887, a grant of £25 was given to help build an Anglican church. Mrs. Coxen, a local resident, put up a notice near the Bulimba ferry. It asked for public support to start regular Anglican services in the area. Because of this meeting, Reverend H M Bannister began the Bulimba Mission. Church services and Sunday school classes were held in the local School of Arts building.
Mrs. Elizabeth Coxen was a very generous person. She donated land for the church in what is now Birkalla Street. She also gave £100 to the building fund. In 1888, this land was sold, and the current, more central, location was bought. Mrs. Coxen passed away in 1906. The church has a special plaque and a lectern (a stand for reading) to remember her important contributions.
The Architect and Construction
John Hingeston Buckeridge was chosen to design the new church. He became the official architect for the Anglican Church in 1887. Buckeridge was born in England and learned from famous church architects. He had worked on important church projects in England before moving to Queensland.
He came to Australia to oversee the plans for a new Anglican cathedral in Brisbane. Even though work on the cathedral didn't start until after 1900, Dr. William Webber, the Bishop of Brisbane, needed an architect. He wanted to build many "strong and lasting churches in Queensland" for the growing population. Buckeridge made these churches special with his good designs and choice of materials, even if they weren't very expensive.
Lady Musgrave, the wife of the Queensland Governor Anthony Musgrave, laid the first stone of the new church in Bulimba on 23 June 1888. T Whitty built the church for £700. The first service was held on 29 September 1888. The Archdeacon of Brisbane, Nathaniel Dawes, blessed the building. Since Bishop William Webber was overseas, the official dedication service happened later, on 2 June 1889.
Changes and Additions Over Time
In 1893, the Bulimba Mission became part of the Tingalpa church area. From 1900 to 1915, it was managed by St John's Cathedral in the Brisbane CBD. In 1895, a Sunday school hall was built behind the church, parallel to it. This hall is no longer there today.
Many of the church's decorations and furniture were given as gifts to remember people. These include:
- The bell tower, built in 1915 to remember Samuel and Mary Woodland.
- The pulpit (a raised stand for sermons), installed in the same year. It remembers Corporal Frederick Storey, who died at Gallipoli.
- A small organ was bought from Lutwyche Park and installed in 1916.
A lot of work was done on the church in the 1930s, even though money was tight during the Depression. A retaining wall was needed on the Oxford Street side because the street level had been raised. This wall was built using workers from a Depression Relief program. In 1936, Reverend Thomas Tomlinson got a bell from the wrecked ship Maheno. This bell was put in the belfry (bell tower). A reredos (a decorated screen behind the altar) and timber panels were added to the church in 1937. This was just in time for its 50th birthday the following year.
In the early 1950s, a timber screen was moved from the chancel (the area around the altar) to the nave (the main part of the church). Work was also done on the organ. It was moved from the north side to the south side of the building and changed to run on electricity. H W Jarrett repaired the organ in 1978.
A new brick parish hall was built on land further along Oxford Street in 1965. It was made bigger in 1986. The spot where the first hall stood next to the church is now a car park.
What Does the Church Look Like?
The church is a well-known building in Bulimba. It sits on a flat piece of land at an important corner on the main street.
St John the Baptist church is made of timber and has a corrugated iron roof. It stands on low brick piers (supports). Inside, it has a main area called a nave, with side aisles that are open to the nave. The nave is divided into seven sections by scissor trusses (a type of roof support). These trusses are held up by posts with special cut edges.
A porch protects the main entrance at the western end of the church, facing the street. Other entrances on the west, north, and south sides are less noticeable. All entrances have low steps. There is a car park on the southern side of the church.
The inside of the church has beautiful silky oak wood panels. There is also a timber screen in the chancel area. This screen has a light and open design and is now at the western end of the church. The church's interior is lit by tall, narrow lancet windows with colored glass. There are also small round windows placed high on the walls on both sides of the nave.
Why Is This Church Important?
St John the Baptist Anglican Church was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 9 July 2003. This means it is recognized as a very important historical place. Here's why:
Showing Queensland's History
This church is one of many designed by J H Buckeridge as part of a building plan by Bishop Thomas Webber in the 1880s. It shows how the Anglican Church grew in Queensland during the 1800s. As the first Anglican church in the area, it also reflects how Bulimba itself developed.
A Great Example of Its Kind
St John the Baptist Anglican Church is a good and well-preserved example of a timber church from its time period.
Beautiful and Visually Significant
The church's shape, size, and details make it a very important and beautiful part of Bulimba's built environment. It adds a lot to the look of the area.
Important to the Community
St John the Baptist Anglican Church has served the Bulimba community and nearby areas since 1888. It continues to be a vital place for shared religious and social events, playing an important role in community life.
Connected to Important People
The church has a special connection to the work of the Diocesan Architect, J H Buckeridge, and Bishop Webber. Their vision helped build new, strong, and high-quality churches for the growing Anglican Church in Queensland.
Images for kids
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Hall behind the church
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Interior of St. John the Baptist Church, circa 1888
