St Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral, Brisbane facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral |
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St Nicholas Cathedral in 2015
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| 27°29′02″S 153°02′04″E / 27.484°S 153.0345°E | |
| Country | Australia |
| Denomination | Russian Orthodox |
| History | |
| Status | |
| Dedication | Nicholas II |
| Consecrated |
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| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) |
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| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Russian religious |
| Years built | 1935–1950s |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Rendered masonry; rendered fibro; corrugated galvanised iron |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Australia and New Zealand (since December 1946) |
The St Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral is a special Russian Orthodox cathedral (a main church) located at 330–334B Vulture Street in Kangaroo Point, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
It was designed by Gregory Mechonoshin and the architects Cavanagh and Cavanagh. The building was constructed between 1935 and the 1950s by B. Robinson. This cathedral was the main church for the Russian Orthodox Diocese of Australia. This was from 1948, when the first bishop, Theodore Rafalsky, arrived, until 1950. After 1950, the bishop moved to Sydney.
The cathedral was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992. This means it is an important historical building in Queensland.
History of St Nicholas Cathedral
The Russian Orthodox Cathedral of St Nicholas was built between 1935 and 1936. It was the very first church in Australia built specifically for Russian Orthodox worship. It was also one of the first parishes (church communities) created after many Russians left their home country following the 1917 Russian Revolution.
Early Russian Immigration to Queensland
A small number of Russian people started moving to Queensland in the 1800s. Their numbers grew a lot from the 1880s. The Queensland government liked these immigrants because they settled in quickly. Most of them found jobs in farming. Those who stayed in Brisbane often worked on railways, in meat factories, or other factories. By 1911, Russians were the fourth largest ethnic group in Brisbane. They often lived in areas like South Brisbane and Woolloongabba.
The biggest group of Russian immigrants came to Queensland between 1911 and 1914. Many were people seeking safety from the Russian government. Others were Jewish people escaping unfair treatment. They traveled through Siberia and Northern China, often from the city of Harbin in Manchuria. From there, they sailed from the port of Dalian to Townsville or Brisbane. These were the first Australian ports they reached.
Because these immigrants were spread out across Queensland, and some didn't like the old Russian government, no official Russian Orthodox church was set up at first.
Changes After the Russian Revolution
Queensland stopped encouraging Russian immigration in 1918. During First World War (1914–1918), Australia was allied with Russia. Even after the Russian Empire fell in 1917, Australia supported the new government to keep Russia in the war. However, after the Bolsheviks took power in October 1917 and Russia left the war, many countries, including Australia, became unfriendly towards the new Soviet government. From mid-1918 to 1922, during a time of civil war in Russia, almost all Russian immigration to Queensland was stopped.
However, many "White Russian" people (who were against the new Soviet government) fled Russia. They wanted to move to Australia. Because of this, the Queensland Government had to allow more Russian immigrants.
Founding the First Parish
With many White Russian immigrants arriving in Brisbane in the early 1920s, the city's first Russian Orthodox parish was formed. Father Alexander Shabasheff, who had escaped Russia through China, arrived in Brisbane in 1923. With help from Canon David John Garland of the Church of England, they used St Thomas' Church of England in South Brisbane for Russian Orthodox services.
From this start in 1923, a Russian Orthodox parish was officially created in South Brisbane in 1925. In 1925–1926, the parish bought a small house at 330 Vulture Street, Woolloongabba. This is where the cathedral stands today. They changed the house into a church. In 1926, Father Shabasheff was officially appointed to the parish. In 1930, the parish was registered as St Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church.
Building the New Church
Many White Russian immigrants who came to Brisbane in the 1920s first moved to rural areas for work. By the mid-1930s, even during the Great Depression, many had saved enough money to return to Brisbane. Here, they felt more connected to their Russian culture and community. Building a new, specially designed Russian Orthodox church became very important for Brisbane's Russian community.
In 1933, Father Valentine Antonieff became the priest for St Nicholas parish. Fund-raising for a new church began. It was planned to be built on the same spot as the old church. It would also be a memorial to the last Russian tsar, Nicholas II.
Gregory Mechonoshin, an engineer and church member, drew up a basic plan for the new church. The church council approved it. Then, they hired architects Cavanagh and Cavanagh from Brisbane and Perth to create the official plans. Construction bids were asked for in mid-1935, and the builder B Robinson was chosen. Another engineer and church member, Mr Golovznin, helped with building the cupola (the dome-shaped roof).
Construction started in 1935. When it was finished (probably in early 1936), the local priest held a small dedication ceremony. On 4 October 1936, the church was fully dedicated by Greek Orthodox Archbishop Timotheos. There was no Russian Orthodox bishop in Australia yet.
Interior and Features
The iconostasis (a screen with icons that separates the altar area) and the royal gates were built and decorated by local Russian immigrants. The movable icons and the chandelier (a large hanging light) came from Russia or China. They were given as gifts by the widow of Father Tourchinsky. Inside the church, there was also a special shrine dedicated to Tsar Nicholas II. The Maltese Cross on the front tower of the building was included because it is part of the Queensland state emblem, not for religious reasons.
The front fence, which is still there, was built a few years after the new church. It replaced an older wooden fence. Alexander Bardin, who owned a cattle farm near Roma, paid for the fence. It was built as a memorial to his wife and parents by a church member named Michael Zakrjevsky.
Becoming a Cathedral
The Diocese of Australia was created in December 1946. Bishop Theodore (Rafalsky) was chosen to lead it. At that time, there were only two Russian Orthodox parishes in Australia: St Nicholas in Brisbane (from 1925) and St Vladimir's in Sydney (from 1938). St Vladimir's Church in Sydney was just a converted house. St Nicholas Church in Brisbane was purpose-built. So, Bishop Theodore was meant to be based in Brisbane.
After some delays with immigration, the bishop finally arrived in Brisbane in late 1948. On 5 November 1948, he dedicated St Nicholas Church in Woolloongabba as Australia's first Russian Orthodox Cathedral. The main center for Russian Orthodoxy in Australia stayed in Brisbane for only a short time. In 1950, Bishop Theodore became Archbishop of Australia and New Zealand. He then moved to Sydney. Sydney was more central for the diocese and had more Russian immigrants after World War II. Several other bishops served in Brisbane between 1950 and 1976, but the position has been empty since then.
Sometime after 1950, the building was made larger with extensions on each side.
The Russian Orthodox Cathedral of St Nicholas is still very important for keeping Russian culture and religion alive in Brisbane. This is true even though two other Russian Orthodox parishes have been started more recently: St Seraphim's in Woolloongabba (1950s) and a church in Rocklea (1960s). Services are held in the traditional church language, Church Slavonic. However, an English service is also held every two months. For many years, the church has had an important library of Russian books. A big part of Russian cultural identity in Brisbane is still connected to the traditions of Russian Orthodoxy and St Nicholas Cathedral.
Design and Appearance
St Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral faces Vulture Street. It is surrounded by tall, old trees.
The church building is the main and most important building on the site. The land gently slopes up from Vulture Street. On each side and behind the church are tall, single-story wooden houses. With its white walls that look like stone, its balanced front, and its unique towers, the church stands very tall. It adds a lot to the look of Vulture Street.
The church has a simple rectangular shape. It has a square tower attached over the front entrance. There is also a rectangular aisle (a side section) attached to each long side.
At the front, facing Vulture Street, there are three porches placed evenly. Their roofs and decorative boards are shaped like a cupola (a small dome). They are topped with ball and cross finials (decorative ornaments). A three-sided apse (a rounded end section) is in the center at the back of the church.
The square tower has a choir area right above the main entrance. Above that is a belfry (bell tower), which can be reached by simple wooden ladders.
Above the altar (the table where religious ceremonies are performed) and in the center of the main roof is a smaller, six-sided tower and cupola.
The building sits on a base made of rendered masonry (stone covered with plaster). The main structure is timber-framed with a roughcast rendered fibro exterior. However, the western aisle was built later than 1950 using rendered masonry. The main roof is covered with corrugated galvanised iron sheets. The cupolas and the pointed roof of the square tower are made from flat and curved pieces of galvanized sheeting.
Steps made of rendered masonry lead to each of the three front entry doors. These doors have two parts and are set in a round-headed opening.
A path goes from the central entrance to a metal gate. This gate is in the middle of a rendered masonry fence along the street. This fence has pillars with carved crosses and ball finials. Between the pillars are masonry panels and steel tube and wire panels.
Inside, the church has a wooden floor. The ceiling follows the shape of the roof beams and is lined with fibro and VJ boards (a type of timber lining).
The simple shapes of this building, topped with domes and featuring tall, round-headed windows, show the traditional style of Russian religious architecture. This style comes from Byzantium (an ancient empire) and has been built here using local materials and methods.
Heritage Significance
St Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992. This means it meets certain important criteria.
Historical Importance
The Russian Orthodox Cathedral of St Nicholas in Woolloongabba, built in 1935–36, was the first church in Australia built specifically for Russian Orthodox worship. In 1948, it became the first Russian Orthodox cathedral in Australia. From late 1948 to early 1950, the Russian Orthodox Diocese of Australia and New Zealand was managed from St Nicholas Cathedral.
The creation of St Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church in Brisbane shows the pattern of Russian people moving away from their home country after the Bolshevik takeover in 1917. It also shows the establishment of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad. The cathedral remains an important connection between Queensland and a major historical event of the 20th century.
Architectural Style
The church's simple geometric shapes, topped with domes, and its tall, round-headed windows show the traditional style of Russian religious architecture. This style dates back to the Byzantine Empire. The way the inside is set up, including the iconostasis and royal gates, also follows these traditions. It was built using local materials and adapted to its time and place.
Visual Appeal
With its unique towers, the church adds a lot to the look of Vulture Street. It stands out in the area.
Community Connection
St Nicholas Cathedral has played a strong role in keeping Russian cultural identity and traditions alive in Brisbane and Queensland. It is important for showing the diverse nature of Queensland and Brisbane society in the 20th century.
