Have you ever wanted to learn to ring traditional church bells? Maryborough Open House is your chance. Throughout the day the Tower Captain, Ruth Anderson, will be running classes in the belfry. To book a spot, call Ruth on 4121 5920. St Paul’s Anglican Church was built in 1879 by Maryborough builders, Caldwell and Taylor, to a design by prominent Queensland architect, FDG Stanley. The parish had decided it was time to replace their timber church with a new, larger masonry building and the foundation stone of this church was laid by the governor, Sir Arthur Kennedy, in March 1878. Maryborough was in an economically prosperous time in the 1870s and 1880s and the large new church reflected this. It cost approximately £6,000 and a report in the Maryborough newspaper described the completed building as ‘Queensland’s cathedral’ in reference to its size, architecture and prominence, thought to be greater than other Churches of England built in Queensland to that date. The church is in a Gothic Revival style and has a traditional cruciform plan. An arcade of pointed arches supported on slender cast-iron columns separates the nave from the aisles and the finely worked timber roof trusses produce a light and delicate atmosphere in the church. The church has a variety of beautiful windows including the large north-western window over the entrance with its delicate stone tracery and colourful leadlights. By 1883, an organ gallery was added to the north-western end of the church (although the organ was moved to its present position in 1891) and the interior contains a Warrior’s Chapel, dedicated in 1960, and the Lady Chapel, dedicated in 1963. Belfry In 1887 a large free standing bell tower was erected near the church. The structure, with nine bells cost £3,500 and was donated by Edgar Thomas Aldridge in memory of his wife, Maria Aldridge who had died the year before. These bells, possibly the oldest in Queensland, have been refurbished in the Whitechapel Bell Foundry, London where they were originally cast. The tower was designed by architect, James Buchanan, built by Jesse Thomas and is of four storeys with a battlement parapet. Hall A substantial memorial hall, designed by Maryborough architect, POE Hawkes, was added to the church site in 1921. The hall was dedicated to the glory of God. It was built to house a hall with a stage, two dressing rooms and two vestries along with two wide verandahs that would serve to provide supper rooms and open air classrooms. The hall was constructed by Maryborough contractor, Ferguson, at a cost of £5,980. Verandahs were enclosed in 1957 and a kitchen added. Restoration works, formation of an office complex and the addition of two rotundas occurred in 1997, overseen by architect Gavin Patterson.
Posted on: Sun, 07 Sep 2014 22:20:46 +0000
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