St John the Baptist Church, Reid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St John's Anglican Church |
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Exterior in 2017
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| Location | Corner of Anzac Parade and Constitution Avenue, Reid, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory |
| Country | Australia |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| History | |
| Dedication | Saint John the Baptist |
| Consecrated | 12 March 1845 by William Broughton |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) |
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| Style |
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| Years built | 1841–1873 |
| Specifications | |
| Number of spires | 1 (in 1878) |
| Materials | |
| Bells | 8 (2m., 16 sp. st., 3c., tr.) |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Canberra |
| Diocese | Canberra and Goulburn |
St John the Baptist Church is an old Anglican church located in Reid, a suburb of Canberra, Australia. It sits at the corner of Anzac Parade and Constitution Avenue. This church is the oldest public building still standing in central Canberra. It is also the oldest church in the entire Australian Capital Territory.
Many people call it a "sanctuary in the city." It has kept its small, English village style even as Canberra grew around it. Over the years, it became an important place for Australia's leaders. This includes governors-general, politicians, and military leaders. Even royalty has visited the church many times.
Today, St John's is still an active church and a famous Canberra landmark. Its bells can be heard from Lake Burley Griffin. A local charity, St John's Care, works from the church area. The church also has a choir. Since the 1930s, an annual community fair has been held here. In March 2020, the church celebrated its 175th birthday.
Contents
How Was St John's Church Built?
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St John's Church faces east and west. The main part, called the nave, is to the east. The main entrance is to the west. Above the entrance are the choir area and the organ.
Robert Campbell chose the church's location in 1840. He was a big supporter of the Church of England. He also wanted a place for the local community to meet. He even gave his own land for the church. The first stone was laid on May 11, 1841. Bishop William Broughton officially opened the church on March 12, 1845.
The church was built over many years. It was finished in three main stages:
- The first church was built by Robert Campbell (1841–1845).
- The nave (main part) was extended by George Campbell.
- The chancel (area around the altar) was added by John Campbell (1872–1873).
The church walls are made of sandstone. This stone came from Black Mountain and Quarry Hill. These hills are near the suburb of Yarralumla.
The Church Tower and Spire
The first church tower was built in 1845. It was about 20 feet (6 meters) tall. But it started to lean and was not safe. So, it was taken down in 1864. The tower you see today was designed by Edmund Blacket. It was built between 1865 and 1870. The sandstone for the tower's windows came from 100 miles (160 kilometers) away.
The tall, pointed top part, called the spire, was finished in 1877. This made the church a very noticeable landmark in the countryside. Many tall trees were planted around the church. These trees also became a famous sight.
The church and its old schoolhouse are important historical sites. They are listed by the ACT Heritage Council. The council notes that the church's gates, called lychgates, are very rare in Australia.
What's Inside St John's Church?
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Inside the church, you will see many plaques. These remember people who were part of the church. They include early families and important Australians. Some famous people remembered here are Sir Robert Garran and Sir William McKell.
The church has many beautiful stained glass windows. The large east window was added between 1872 and 1874. It shows stories about Saint John the Baptist. The window was designed by William Macleod. It was made by a Sydney company. This window is one of Australia's oldest stained glass windows. It even won a prize in 1973 before it was put in the church.
Military Connections
The Royal Military College and St John's Church have a long history together. Both are on land that used to belong to the Campbell family. The church displays military flags under its organ area. These flags show the strong ties between the church and the college.
In a small side chapel, there is a bamboo cross. It has the words "Reconciliation and Repentance" on it. This cross was given to the church in 1950 by a Japanese bishop. It remembers Sister May Hayman. She was a nurse and church member. Japanese soldiers killed her in New Guinea during World War II. The cross helps remember her and the friendship between Australia and Japan today.
Music at St John's
St John's Church has had several organs over the years. The current pipe organ was built in 1981 by Ronald Sharp. It is a very special instrument. Sharp also built the famous organ at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall.
The first organ at St John's was installed around 1862. It is now at another church in Deakin. A second organ was built in 1933. The church gallery was made stronger in the 1970s to hold the new, larger organ.
The St John's Choir is a group of volunteers. They sing in four parts during Sunday services. The organ usually plays with the choir. For special events like weddings, other instruments like the flute or trumpet might join in.
The Church Bells
The church has eight bells. They were given by Governor-General William Sidney, 1st Viscount De L'Isle. He donated them to remember his wife, Jacqueline. The bells were made by the same company that made the bells for the National Carillon. They were installed in 1964.
The bells are rung in the English "change ringing" style. This means ringers pull ropes to make the bell clappers strike the bells. Two people can ring four bells each. The bells are rung for Sunday services, weddings, funerals, and special events. Sometimes, hymns and other tunes can be played on the bells.
The Church Grounds
The Churchyard Cemetery
St John's churchyard has Canberra's first cemetery. The very first burial happened here on May 3, 1844.
Many early settlers of the Canberra area are buried here. This includes the church's long-serving rector, Revd Pierce Galliard Smith. Also buried here is Colonel John George Nathaniel Gibbes. He lived at the Yarralumla homestead.
Another interesting grave is that of Viscount Dunrossil. He was a former Governor-General of Australia. He died while in office in 1961. The cemetery also holds members of the pioneering McDonald, Guise, Shumack, and Campbell families.
A local woman named Sarah Webb was buried here in 1845. She died during childbirth. Her headstone has a special message from the Bible. This headstone became known as the "Prophet’s Tombstone." It attracted many travelers when Canberra was chosen as Australia's capital city. The churchyard stopped new burials in 1937.
The Schoolhouse Museum
Canberra's first school opened in 1845. It was sponsored by the Campbell family. The schoolroom was part of a building with five other rooms. These rooms were for the schoolmaster's home. The schoolhouse was built with local stone. It had thick walls to protect against Canberra's weather.
This was the only school in the area until 1880. It taught children of local settlers. This included the Blundell children from nearby Blundell's Cottage. The schoolhouse closed in 1907. It reopened in 1969 as a museum. The museum has old records, photos, and items from Canberra's early days. These items show how the first European settlers lived.
The Rectory
The rectory is the home of the rector (the head priest) of Canberra. It is in the southeastern part of the church grounds. It was finished in 1923. The first rectory was built in 1873. Its first resident was Revd Pierre Galliard Smith. He planted many trees around it. Some of these trees still stand today in Glebe Park.
The Church Hall
Next to St John's is the church hall. The hall has a large mural painting at one end. This mural shows people and events from the church's and region's history. It shows things like a theodolite (a surveying tool) and a microscope. It also shows an Aboriginal Australian man, Bogong moths, and Merino sheep.
The mural also includes symbols of the church. It shows the Guides Australia and Boy Scout logos. You can see Old Parliament House and early church ministers. The Campbell family and their home, "Duntroon," are also in the painting. Duntroon is now part of the Royal Military College. The church hall is used for events and meetings. It also has the church office.
Who Has Led St John's Church?
The current acting rector of Canberra is Revd Canon Margaret Emil. The first leader was Revd Edward Smith. The longest-serving rector was Pierce Galliard Smith. He served for 51 years, from 1855 to 1905.
Here are the people who have led St John's Church:
- Edward Smith (1845–1850)
- George Gregory (1850–1851)
- Thomas Wilkinson (1851–1854)
- Pierce Galliard Smith (1855–1905)
- Arthur Hopcraft (1905–1909)
- Arthur Champion (1909–1913)
- Frederick Ward (1913–1929)
- Charles Robertson (1930–1949)
- Robert Davies (1949–1953)
- Robert Gordon Arthur (1953–1960)
- Frederick Hill (1960–1972)
- Owen Dowling (1972–1981)
- Ian George (1981–1989)
- David Oliphant (1989–1995)
- Allan Ewing (1996–2003)
- Gregory Thompson (2004–2007)
- Paul Black (2008–2021)
- Margaret Emil (2021-present)
Images for kids
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Grave (left) of the widow of Major General Sir William Bridges, the first Australian Chief of the General Staff
