Christ Church

Have you heard of the “temporary” church that’s lasted over a century? I’m talking about Christ Church in Milton, Brisbane. Right here before us stands a testament to resilience and community spirit. Christ Church wasn’t meant to be a permanent fixture. It was designed by John H. Buckeridge in 1891 as a combined Sunday school and temporary church. The original stone church, built in 1876 next to the Paddington Cemetery, suffered storm damage in 1890 and was deemed beyond repair. The congregation needed a new space. They needed a Sunday school to accommodate a growing number of pupils. So, this “temporary” timber structure was erected. It was a practical solution, built by Lars Anderson, a Danish sawmiller and builder, using timber shipped down from the Esk Valley. Christ Church reflects the importance of Sunday schools in the 19th century, not only for religious instruction but also for character building. This building served not only the local residents, but also staff and inmates from the nearby Brisbane Gaol and soldiers from Victoria Barracks. It was a hub for the community, supporting outlying communities and fostering social activities. The church’s history is intertwined with the old Paddington Cemetery, Brisbane’s first major burial ground. The cemetery land was resumed in 1911. Many headstones were moved to a memorial reserve within the Christ Church grounds. This memorial reserve, accessible through a gate in the garden area, offers a glimpse into Brisbane’s early history. Despite the encroachments of modern developments like Suncorp Stadium, Christ Church persists. It stands as a symbol of enduring faith, a place where the whispers of generations past mingle with the vibrant energy of present-day Brisbane. Look closely at the timber, the diamond-patterned asbestos cement roof tiles, and the slender spire. They speak of a history richer than even its intended “temporary” nature suggests.