Can you hear the echoes of history whispering on the breeze here? We are standing before the St Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church. This church stands as a testament to faith and community.
The St Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church’s story began in 1968. The Serbian Orthodox Church-School Congregation Sveti Nikola sought a place to call home. They purchased a 2.5-acre block in Richlands. This marked the beginning of their journey.
The first wave of Serbian migrants arrived in Brisbane around 1948. By 1953, they established a church and school community. In 1955, it was registered as The Serbian Orthodox Ecclesiastical School Community of St Nikolas. They bought land in Toowong. A hall was built and opened in 1959. It served as a place for worship, education, and social events.
A schism in the Serbian Orthodox Church in 1963 caused division. The Toowong congregation split. Three separate groups formed their own churches. In 1968, the St Nicholas congregation was established in Wacol. Three members mortgaged their homes to buy the Bandara Street land. Early services were held under a tent. Father Dragan Petkovic from Adelaide led them. The congregation grew quickly allowing them to repay the loan.
In 1970, the Brisbane City Council approved a recreation shed. In 1974, they approved a church and priest’s residence. The estimated cost was $60000. The St Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church officially opened in 1976. Bishop Dimitrije Balac blessed it. Milan Bogdanovic was named the Kum or Godfather of the church. The original recreation shed was torn down. A new hall was approved in 1979. It was built behind the church and has been extended since. The priest’s residence was completed around 1980.
Construction happened gradually. Church members donated funds and labor. The names of the founders are preserved beneath the church.
Major hall extensions occurred in the 1990s. Serbians fleeing conflict in Yugoslavia joined the congregation. Many settled in Richlands where there was already a Serbian community. By 1992, the divisions of the 1960s had been resolved.
The St Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church was built in the traditional Eastern Orthodox style. It features a domed cupola above the entrance. The sanctuary is oriented to the east. The exterior is rendered masonry.
Since then, St Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church has been central to the Serbian community. The Kolo Srpski Sestara or Circle of Serbian Sisters has played a vital role. They assist with feast days and commemorations. They support the elderly and families in need. A second hall was built in 2003. It hosts language classes for children. The large hall hosts festivals and community events. It is also rented for weddings and other functions.
Inside the church, an iconostasis separates the altar from the sanctuary. This arched screen is covered with painted icons. The painting of religious icons on the walls and ceilings is underway. A choristry overlooks the interior of the church. It is accessible by stairs in the north western corner.
The church contains ornate timber furniture. Pews line each side for older members. A covered table symbolizes Christ’s tomb. Shelves near the entrance hold lit candles.
The sanctuary faces east. This follows an Orthodox tradition from the 11th century. The congregation faces east during services. This is the direction of the rising sun. It symbolizes incarnation resurrection ascension and the second coming.
Though simple in design, St Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church has continuous Serbian community ownership. Its copper domed cupola tiled pyramid roof and semicircular sanctuary create a unique landmark. The church’s orientation reflects its sacred purpose. It stands apart from the road’s alignment.
Here at St Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church we see faith tradition and community intertwine. It is more than a building. It is a living testament to the enduring spirit of the Serbian people in Brisbane.