Anglican churches join the line-up for this weekend’s iconic Brisbane Open House
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Our Diocese is thrilled to be joining in the annual Brisbane Open House festival this weekend, welcoming Brisbane locals and visitors into some of our stunning historic churches
Our Diocese is thrilled to be joining in the annual Brisbane Open House festival this weekend, welcoming Brisbane locals and visitors into some of our stunning historic churches.
Five Anglican Church Southern Queensland parishes are contributing to the exciting line-up of 80 buildings, spaces, structures and places across Greater Brisbane on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 July.
The program also includes entertainment activations, five bustling urban precincts, kids’ activities, guided tours and talks, plus the return of popular residential spaces.
The Anglican churches participating in this weekend’s Brisbane Open House include St John’s Cathedral; St Andrew’s, South Brisbane; Holy Trinity, Woolloongabba; St Barnabas’, Red Hill; and, All Saints’, Brisbane.
St Andrew’s Anglican Church, South Brisbane parishioner and Brisbane Open House coordinator Judy Wilson said that she is looking forward to sharing the gospel message and gothic-style architecture.
“Brisbane Open House gives churches a wonderful opportunity to share our notable architectural heritage, our parish history and facets of our spiritual life with the wider Brisbane community, while also providing churches with a chance for sharing the good news of Jesus Christ,” Ms Wilson said.
“We’re excited to offer our visitors a special gift — a warm welcome; guided tours; stained-glass windows; music in many modes, including orchestra, bell-ringing, trumpeting, organ, singing, duets, solos; displays of history and of our church’s life; plus, a very special café.
“We hope that our guests will sense God’s grace and peace when welcomed into our churches.”
St Andrew’s Anglican Church was built in stages — the sanctuary and first section of the nave were built between 1878 and 1883, with the foundation stone laid by Governor Sir Arthur Kennedy.
The Church Hall was completed in 1910 and the nave cornerstone was laid in 1931 by Sir John Goodwin.
Sir John Goodwin laying the nave corner stone at St Andrew’s Anglican Church, South Brisbane in 1931
St Andrew’s Anglican Church is known for its stunning stained-glass windows, including in the Chapel of Remembrance, and also features a steep slate roof, beautiful timber roof trusses and a peal of six bells that ring each Sunday.
Brisbane Open House guests will also be warmly welcomed at The Parish of Woolloongabba — just up the road from St Andrew’s.
Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Woolloongabba priest-in-charge, The Rev’d Rosemary Gardiner, said that her parish community is looking forward to trading stories with visitors, including those with familial connections to the church.
“Our church is always looking for ways to be open and invite people in, beyond asking them to participate in worship,” The Rev’d Gardiner said.
“After 90 years — of the building — and 150 years — of the parish — there are so many people with family connections to Holy Trinity, who may not have connected with us in years or decades, and who might appreciate this opportunity to revisit those memories.
“So we are looking forward to being able to share some of the stories of our church — both the building and the people — and to hear the stories other people have to share.
“We’re also very excited to display a variety of musical offerings from our community choir, Joyful Voices, and the excellent Vocal Manoeuvres Academy.”
Holy Trinity Anglican Church is an unusual Brisbane example of Romanesque and Spanish Mission Revival style architecture applied to an ecclesiastical building.
The church commemorates local World War servicemen and women through honour boards and a bell tower, with a cross from Japan honouring one of the 12 New Guinea Martyrs, missionary John Duffill, who was a parishioner.
Laying the Foundation Stone at Holy Trinity, Woolloongabba on 2 March 1930
The 135-year-old St Barnabas’ Anglican Church in Red Hill also commemorates veterans and those who have died in war, including though a war memorial chapel that was dedicated 75 years ago.
St Barnabas’ priest-in-charge, The Rev’d Bill Colbrahams, said that the church features a special stained-glass window memorial and that he is keen to encourage those with questions about Anglicanism.
“I have long believed that people who are curious, or haven’t come for many years, hesitate because they don’t know what they should do,” The Rev’d Colbrahams said.
“Being able to come when the church is available for a ‘stickybeak’ can be the first step to attending worship.
“St Barnabas’ newest stained-glass window commemorates the centenary of Anzac Day, which will be of interest to those for whom Anzac Day is significant.”
The window, which was dedicated in 2018, reproduces the artwork from the service booklet of the first Anzac Day service, held in Brisbane in 1916.
Canon David Garland, popularly known as “the architect of Anzac Day”, was Rector of the parish between 1920 and1939.
As secretary of the Anzac Day Commemoration Committee of Queensland he campaigned tirelessly for 25 April to be recognised as a national day of commemoration.
A panel of the St Barnabas’, Red Hill window featuring Anzac and multi-cultural Defence personnel, inspired by the design of the order of service from the first Anzac Day service held in 1916
Brisbane Open House is a free annual event, providing residents and visitors with the rare opportunity to discover and discuss Brisbane architecture, engineering and history.
Step, or ride, back in time by hopping on board a vintage bus in free “loops”.
Other free transport options include the CityHopper service and the South Brisbane Bus Loop (number 86).
Plan your weekend by visiting the Brisbane Open House website, and check out the guidemaps, kids’ activities, photography competition and guided walking tours.
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