St Paul's Anglican Church, East Brisbane facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Paul's Anglican Church |
|
|---|---|
View from Balmoral Terrace, 2015
|
|
| 27°29′08″S 153°02′41″E / 27.4856°S 153.0447°E | |
| Country | Australia |
| Denomination | Anglican Church of Australia |
| History | |
| Status | Church |
| Founded | 23 March 1924 |
| Founder(s) | Archbishop Gerald Sharp |
| Dedication | Saint Paul |
| Dedicated | 21 September 1924 by Archbishop Gerald Sharp |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Architect(s) | Atkinson & Conrad |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style |
|
| Completed | 1924 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | St Paul's, East Brisbane |
| Diocese | Brisbane |
St Paul's Anglican Church is a special old church in East Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register, which means it's an important historical building. The church also has a columbarium, which is a place to keep the ashes of people who have been cremated. The church was designed by Atkinson & Conrad and built in 1924 by J Hood.
Contents
A Look Back at St Paul's Church
How the Church Began
St Paul's Church was built in 1924. It was designed by Atkinson and Conrad, who were architects for the Anglican Church in Brisbane. This was a time when many new churches were being built in Queensland.
The area of East Brisbane was first bought by Joseph Darragh in 1855. Later, in the 1880s, this land was divided into smaller blocks for homes. This helped East Brisbane become a residential area. Electric trams arrived in 1897, making it easier for people to live there. The area grew steadily from the 1910s to the 1930s.
Anglican church services started in East Brisbane in 1887. They were first held in a building called "The Grange." Later, a timber (wooden) church was opened on Vulture Street in December 1887. This first church was also used for Sunday School. For many years, priests from other churches helped lead services at St Paul's. In 1921, St Paul's became its own "parochial district," meaning it had its own local church area.
Planning a New Church
In 1912, the church community started planning for a new building. They raised money, but World War I slowed things down.
In 1921, Gerald Sharp became the Archbishop of Brisbane. He led a big growth period for the Anglican Church in Queensland. Over the next ten years, 57 new churches were built in the Brisbane area. Many older wooden churches were replaced with new brick ones.
By 1922, a committee was formed to build the new church. Archbishop Sharp helped decide that a new brick church was needed because the old one was too small. St Paul's became a full parish in 1923. A new, more visible site was chosen on Vulture Street and Balmoral Terrace. This new spot was closer to the tram line and stood out more.
The Architects and Design
In January 1924, Atkinson and Conrad created the design for the new St Paul's Church. This firm, now known as Conrad Gargett Riddel, has a long history. Henry Atkinson started the practice in 1890. Arnold Conrad joined as a partner in 1922, and the firm became Atkinson and Conrad Architects. They designed many churches and schools for the diocese.
The new St Paul's church was designed with a long main hall called a nave. It also had a rounded area at the east end called a chancel, a side entrance porch, and small rooms called vestries for the organ and choir. There was also a belfry (bell tower) and strong buttresses (supports) on the outside. The church could hold up to 250 people.
The design also included a lych gate and a stone wall. A lych gate is a covered gateway at the entrance to a churchyard. Traditionally, it's where clergy would meet coffins before a funeral. These gates became popular in Australian Anglican church designs between the two World Wars. The words "Seek and ye shall find" were carved above St Paul's gateway.
The church's design was a modern style for the 1920s and 1930s. It used traditional elements but in a simpler way. It had less fancy decoration, large plain walls, and showed off the natural look of the materials. Brick was a popular choice because brick churches were considered "permanent" and could be officially consecrated.
Arnold Conrad, one of the architects, believed that churches should help people feel closer to God. He thought that beautiful surroundings could create a spiritual feeling. He liked brick buildings, simple interior walls, and large windows. He also preferred long naves and wooden roofs with heavy timber. These features can be seen in St Paul's. The timber roof in the nave looks like the inside of a ship's hull. This reminds people of the old idea that the church is like a ship guiding its members to safety.
Building the Church
J Hood, a builder from Red Hill, was chosen to build the church in January 1924. His bid was just over £5000. Construction began in February, and Archbishop Sharp laid the foundation stone on March 23. The church was built in about six months.
In 1924, eleven new Anglican churches were built in the Brisbane area, including St Paul's. This was part of a big building boom in Brisbane during the 1920s. The city was growing fast, and many new buildings were being constructed.
Archbishop Sharp officially dedicated St Paul's on September 21, 1924. He was happy to see more permanent churches being built in the city. The total cost of the church and its land was estimated to be between £6000 and £7000.
When it opened, the church was praised for its modern design. It had wide windows and a special roof system to keep the building cool. Other features, like doorways with railings and metal grilles, also helped with air circulation.
Many people donated items to the church. Mrs J Tritton bought a bell for the belfry. Dr GWF Paul gave a water jug for the font. Other donations included latches, handles, a silver cup and plate, and a hymn board. The Girls' Guild donated a timber altar in memory of those who served in World War I. A brass eagle lectern also came from England. In 1931, two beautiful stained glass windows were added. A psalm board was donated in memory of Corporal Ray Diggles, who died in 1942.
After the church was finished, the parish continued to raise money to pay off its debt. In 1937, St Paul's was officially consecrated. This means it met the requirements of being a permanent building, free of debt, and owned by the Synod. The parish also celebrated its 50th anniversary that year.
Community Life and Changes
St Paul's was a busy place for the community. Many groups met there, like the Girls Friendly Society and the Mothers Union. It also became a very popular place for weddings in Brisbane.
In 1949, heavy rain washed away part of the stone wall facing Vulture Street. It was later replaced with a concrete wall. In 1952, an illuminated cross on top of the church was damaged.
In 1954, a columbarium was built at the back of the church. Columbariums are walls with small spaces (niches) to hold the ashes of people who have been cremated. Cremation became more common in Australia starting in the 1920s and 1930s. Brisbane's first crematorium opened in 1934.
When the plan for the columbarium at St Paul's became known, some local residents were concerned. They signed a petition, wanting the area to remain residential. However, the city council could not stop it. The columbarium was built with brick walls and a metal gate. It cost £1000 and was dedicated on July 4, 1954. The gate was donated in memory of Margaret Pashen. The church's Rector, Rev. NR Tomlinson, said it was like a modern church graveyard. Since then, many ashes of former church members have been placed there.
Over the years, some changes have been made to St Paul's. A brick war memorial hall was built next to the church after 1945. The original chairs were replaced with timber pews. In 1993, a pipe organ was installed. The original organ room is now a chapel. The church roof was replaced in 1997.
Today, St Paul's continues to be an active church for the Anglican community in East Brisbane.
What St Paul's Looks Like
St Paul's Anglican Church stands out on a raised area at the corner of Vulture Street and Balmoral Terrace. The church grounds include the beautiful brick church, a wooden lych gate, stone walls, and a brick columbarium.
The church has a traditional shape with a pointed roof. The main part of the church, the nave, is at the north end. The rounded chancel is at the south end. The entrance porch faces Balmoral Terrace. There are also two vestries and a tall bell tower. A high-ceilinged room, once for the organ, is now a chapel.
The church's design mixes styles like Gothic, Romanesque, and Arts and Crafts. It uses dark-red-brown bricks with painted white details. Strong buttresses support the walls. The roof is made of metal sheeting and has wide eaves. The ends of the nave walls have stone crosses. The entrance porch has a rounded arch and a wooden ceiling. The belfry on top of the bell tower has wooden louvres and a concrete dome.
Inside, the church has dark stained wood throughout. The ceiling is lined with lighter wood boards. The roof has detailed wooden trusses that look like arches. In the rounded chancel, the ceiling boards come together to form a point. Special wooden and metal grilles in the ceiling and windows help with air flow.
All the doors are made of wood, and most still have their original handles and hinges. Some side doors open onto concrete balconies.
The nave has tall, timber-framed casement windows with green glass and rounded tops. Three large stained glass windows in the north wall show vines and religious symbols. Stained glass windows in the chancel show Jesus, saints, and Bible scenes. The floors are red concrete, except in the chancel, which has tiles, and the chapel, which has carpet.
The church furniture is mostly dark stained wood. The altar table has carved panels and says, "TO THE DEAR MEMORY OF THOSE WHO SERVED IN THE GREAT WAR 1914–18." A lamp hangs over the altar. There are also old wooden chairs, tables, and hymn boards. The wooden altar rails are still in the chancel. The foundation stone is in the eastern wall, and a concrete plaque on the western wall remembers the church's consecration in 1937. There is a brick pulpit (where the sermon is given) and a movable brass lectern with an eagle. The wooden pews are plain and light-colored. A granite baptismal font with a wooden lid is in the middle of the nave. The organ is on a raised platform in the north-west corner.
Some newer additions inside the church include lining on some walls, carpets, fluorescent lighting, and ceiling fans.
The lych gate is the main entrance to the church grounds. It has heavy timbers, cross bracing, and a metal roof. Curved supports form an archway, with "Seek and ye shall find" carved above it. Red concrete steps lead from the street to the gate and then to the church entrance.
The columbarium is in the north-east corner of the site. It's a small, open courtyard with tall brick walls. These walls have small spaces (niches) where ashes are kept, covered by brass name plaques. There are also small garden beds inside.
Why St Paul's is Important
St Paul's Anglican Church and Columbarium is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register because it's very important to Queensland's history and culture.
Showing History
St Paul's Church shows how the Anglican church grew in Queensland. It was built in 1924 during a time when many new churches were being constructed. The church also shows the fast growth of Brisbane in the 1920s.
The columbarium, built in 1954, is one of the first of its kind in Queensland. It shows how cremation became more accepted over time.
Showing Church Design
St Paul's is a great example of Anglican church architecture from the 1920s. Its design, outside details, and inside layout show this style. It was designed by famous architects Atkinson and Conrad. The church has traditional areas like the nave, chancel, and vestries, along with colored glass windows and church furnishings. The lych gate and stone wall also show traditional features that were popular again during this time.
The 1954 columbarium also shows what this type of structure looks like. It's a quiet space within the church grounds, with walls that hold niches for ashes.
Its Beauty and Look
St Paul's is a very beautiful church. It uses different shapes, strong brickwork, rounded forms, and simple decorations. Inside, the dark brick and large timber roof trusses create a peaceful and spiritual feeling. All the parts of St Paul's work together to make a detailed and beautiful building.
The church is built on a high spot, making it stand out and show the importance of the Anglican community. St Paul's adds a lot to the look of Vulture Street and the East Brisbane area.
