Synod Hall, Townsville facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Synod Hall |
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Synod Hall, 1996
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| Location | 36 Cleveland Terrace, Townsville CBD, City of Townsville, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1870s–1890s (late 19th century) |
| Built | 1897–1898 |
| Official name: Synod Hall, Jubilee Hall, Parish Room | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600888 |
| Significant period | 1890s (historical) 1890s–1980s (social) |
| Significant components | church hall/sunday school hall, views to |
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Synod Hall is an old building in Townsville, Queensland, Australia. It is a special kind of church hall that was built between 1897 and 1898. This building is also known as Jubilee Hall or Parish Room. It is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register, which means it is an important historical place.
A Look Back: The Hall's Story
Synod Hall first opened its doors in early January 1898.
Townsville's Early Days
Townsville was started in November 1864. The first church services for the Church of England were held in the local Court House. This building was ready by March 1866. These early services were led by local people or visiting ministers. In 1866, a minister from Bowen asked for a full-time minister for Townsville. Rev James Adams took on this role by the middle of 1866.
Getting Land for the Church
On December 24, 1872, some land was bought for a church on Melton Hill. The people who bought it were James Gordon, Frederick Walker, and William Aplin. Later, in February 1884, the land was put under the control of the Anglican Church's group for North Queensland.
Building the Hall
In November 1887, plans were made to build a "Parish Room." A local architecture firm, Eyre and Munro, designed it. However, it seems the building was not constructed at that time.
Then, in December 1897, the Townsville Town Council received an invitation. It was from the St James Church group. They were invited to the official opening of the Jubilee Hall on January 5, 1898.
The new hall was built in 1897. This year was special because it was the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria. A "Diamond Jubilee" celebrates 60 years of a ruler's time on the throne. Because of this, the hall was named Jubilee Hall. Interestingly, 1887, when the first plans were made, was Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee (50 years).
Who Designed It?
The hall built in 1897 might have been designed by Walter Morris Eyre. He was an architect in Townsville. He was also part of the committee for St James Cathedral. He helped oversee the building of the cathedral. It is likely he designed Jubilee Hall too.
A Place for Meetings and Schools
After it was built, the hall became a busy place for church activities. The Ninth Synod of the Anglican Diocese of North Queensland met there in 1898. A "Synod" is a meeting of church leaders. The hall's name was later changed to Synod Hall. This was probably because the Synod continued to hold their meetings there.
In 1899, Miss Florence Buchanan came to Townsville from Thursday Island. She was asked to work with Chinese and Japanese children. She opened a Japanese school in Synod Hall. A school for Chinese children was opened in the Mission Hall, which was below Synod Hall. The Japanese school continued until at least 1902. The Mission Hall was destroyed by Cyclone Leonta in 1902 and was not rebuilt.
The Anglican High School for Girls (which later became St Ann's School) also held classes in the hall. In 1903, Synod Hall was used for church services. This happened while St James Cathedral was being repaired after damage from Cyclone Leonta.
Changes Over Time
Old photos from the early 1900s show Synod Hall. The land between the hall and the cathedral was flat. There was a driveway leading up to the hall. The verandah on the north-western side has not changed much. It used to have a handrail and blinds. The south-eastern verandah was similar. It was open at the front with some panels towards the back. This shows that the "Green Room" you see today was added later.
For about 100 years, the hall was a main centre for the church. But in the 1980s, a new church building was built nearby. So, the hall was no longer the main centre. In 1994, the building was leased to the Townsville Little Theatre. They used it for rehearsals, performances, and as their main office. In December 1998, the theatre group moved to a new location.
What the Hall Looks Like
Synod Hall is located on the south-western side of Melton Hill. This hill separates Townsville's city centre from Cleveland Bay. The hall is east of St James Cathedral. It sits on a small flat area. The main front of the building faces south, looking over the city. You can easily see it from Denham Street, a busy road.
Building Structure
The hall is a rectangular timber building. It has verandahs along both sides. The roof is made of painted corrugated iron and has a gabled shape. There is a long vent on the roof to help with airflow. At each end of the roof, there is a decorative timber cross.
The building is built close to the ground on a concrete base. Its walls are made of timber boards called chamferboards. The timber frame can be seen from the outside. Above the windows and in the gables (the triangular parts of the wall under the roof), the walls are also covered with these timber boards.
The Front and Sides
The front of the building, facing the city, has three tall, narrow openings. The two outer openings have timber louvre shutters. These are like adjustable blinds. They have small corrugated iron roofs over them. The middle opening has similar shutters and a fixed panel of louvres above. It also has a more decorative gabled roof over it.
You approach the building from the elevated car park to the west. The western verandah is open. There is a small storage room at the back of this verandah. The verandah has posts and rafters with special cut edges. Two large sliding doors open onto this verandah. They are made of timber boards. Other doors are also made of boards.
The eastern verandah is now enclosed and used as a kitchen. It has timber boards on the outside and glass louvres. Inside, it is lined with fibrous cement sheets. Towards the back, the "Green Room" sticks out past the verandah line. It is also covered in timber boards with fixed timber louvres.
Inside the Hall
Inside the hall, the walls are made of the smooth side of the horizontal timber boards. The floor of the hall is made of timber. There is a timber stage at the northern end.
The ceiling is divided into six sections. These sections are separated by curved timber brackets. These brackets are joined by metal rods across the room. A decorative pressed metal ceiling rose is in the middle of each section. The ceiling is also lined with timber boards. These boards run diagonally where the ceiling slopes up.
Behind the stage, there are two windows with adjustable timber louvres. They have decorative frames and triangular tops.
Why Synod Hall is Special
Synod Hall was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on October 21, 1992. This means it meets certain important standards.
Showing Queensland's History
Synod Hall helps us understand how Townsville grew. It also shows the development of the Anglican Church in North Queensland. It was used for church meetings, services, school classes, and community events. It is part of a group of buildings, including St James Cathedral, that are still important to the Anglican Church in Townsville.
A Rare Building
Built in 1897, Synod Hall is one of the few remaining timber public buildings in Townsville from that time. It is also a rare example of a timber building with its frame showing on the outside. This building style was important in North Queensland's development.
A Great Example of Design
The hall's design shows how buildings were made to suit the tropical climate. It has a large roof vent, side verandahs, and sliding doors. It also has timber shutters and window hoods. These features, along with other decorations on the front, make it a well-designed building.
Beautiful to Look At
Even though it's not huge, the hall is a landmark on the city side of Melton Hill. It looks out over Townsville's city centre. You can easily see it from Denham Street, a main road.
Important to the Community
The hall has been strongly connected to the Anglican community for a very long time. It served as a main centre for the church for almost a century.
