Bricks whisper stories of faith. St Thomas’ Anglican Church in Toowong stands as a testament to Brisbane’s history. Let’s explore its past.
St Thomas’ Anglican Church is a heritage-listed church at 69 High Street. It occupies a prominent site in Toowong. The church was designed by Francis Drummond Greville Stanley. Henry Pears built it in 1877. It was also known as St Thomas’ Church of England. The Queensland Heritage Register added it on 21 October 1992.
St Thomas’ Church of England was built in 1877. It replaced an 1865 timber building. The original church stood on another site. FDG Stanley designed the new church. He was a parishioner and prominent Brisbane architect. The nave was extended in 1886. Transepts and a chancel were added in 1947.
Toowong was described in 1862. Richard Langler Drew nailed a sign to a tree. It proclaimed the village of Toowong. The area was named earlier after local birdlife. Many large houses were built. Toowong became an elite settlement. It was removed from the noise of the town centre. Discussions arose about establishing a Church of England congregation. It was to be an extension of All Saints Church.
In 1859, Brisbane became the seat of an Anglican Diocese. Bishop Edward Wyndham Tufnell was appointed. State aid to the Church of England ceased one year later. The Church of England in Australia had to be self-funded. Residents pledged to assist in raising money for a church building. William Henry Ellerker designed the first St Thomas’ Church. Richard Drew donated land in Curlew Street.
The Anglican Church of St Thomas the Apostle opened on 29 October 1865. It was a small timber building. It had a gabled shingled roof. The building cost about 185 pounds. By 1867, the church was too small. It only held fifty people.
In 1870, St Thomas’ became independent of All Saints’. Robert Creyke was appointed. Memorial items were donated. These included a stone font, an altar and an organ. Benjamin Glennie was appointed in 1875.
Toowong grew after the rail line was introduced in 1875. A State School opened in 1878. In 1875, a decision was made to fundraise for a new masonry church.
The foundation stone was laid on 17 February 1877. Henry Pears was the contractor. The building cost about 850 pounds. An official opening ceremony was held on 14 October 1877.
The nave was extended in 1886. FDG Stanley designed the extension. There is a slight variation in brick colour. In 1887, FDG Stanley designed a Sunday School. A rectory was later constructed. A second storey was added to the rectory around 1900.
In 1947, Arnold Henry Conrad designed a new chancel. The tower was not built. The new chancel cost about 3365 pounds.
A new rectory was built in the early 1960s. A fire gutted the Sunday school in 1970. In 1998, a parish centre was established. It was part of a larger commercial building.
St Thomas’ Church of England sits on a triangular site. It has plantings, trees and early retaining walls. The southern entrance has gate pillars and an iron gate. Concrete stairs give access to the streets.
The church is a bi-chrome brick building. It features a steeply pitched gabled roof. A timber fleche surmounts the roof. The church has dark brown and cream brick detailing. It sits on a sandstone plinth.
The southern facade has a tripartite window. Smaller lancets flank the window. The bays of the nave have angle buttressing. Each bay has an operable lancet window. Gabled porches provide entrances.
The northern end has a chancel and two transepts. The chancel is a square structure.
Inside, a timber-boarded ceiling dominates. Dark stained timber trusses support the roof. The walls are rendered to resemble stone.
The chancel has timber panelling. Stained glass features images from the Adoration of the Magi. Memorial plaques line the walls. William Busby carved many of these. William Bustard executed most of the stained glass.
St Thomas’ Anglican Church demonstrates Toowong’s growth. It shows the development of the Church of England. The building is a fine example of Gothic architecture. Its features include a steeply pitched roof and bi-chrome brickwork. The church has aesthetic value and landmark qualities. It has a special association with the St Thomas’ parish. It also has associations with FDG Stanley and early parishioners.
Today, St Thomas’ Anglican Church stands as a reminder. It is a testament to faith. It is a landmark in Toowong’s rich history.