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Christ Church a beautiful feature more than 90 years on Ashley Schipper 18 April 2021 Standing tall on the corner of Woongarra and Maryborough Streets, Christ Church Anglican Church has been a prominent structure in the Bundaberg CBD ever since it was first constructed in 1927. Featuring a gothic style with characteristics including pointed arches with moldings in porches, windows, and arcades, the Anglican church is heavily influenced by English and European architecture. Photos depicting the church from its early construction stages show just how much effort the build required. Local man and church member Ken Parsons is the current owner of the historic photos, who said he was gifted them by a neighbor some years ago. Ken, who was married in Christ Church and who is also a member, said the photos served as a reminder to the community of the significance of the building. “These photos show just how hard it was originally to build the church,” he said. “It really is something special- just the age of it, the stained glass windows, the colour of the bricks, and the inside of the building is beautiful.” The Bundaberg Regional Libraries’ heritage research team published an article outlining the history of the site and the effort that went into the build. The construction of Christ Church was first established after the Bishop of Brisbane, W.T.T Webber, visited Bundaberg in 1886 and promised the people of the parish that a permanent church would be built. The structure was completed in 1927 after more than 40 years of planning and preparation, but fittings and interior were not completed until the mid-1930s. The design and plans for the church were drawn by the Diocesan Architect Mr. J Hingeston Buckeridge of Sydney and showed a simple but spacious and beautiful building that would accommodate up to 600 worshippers. The cost was estimated at 6000 pounds with extra funds for the construction raised by subscriptions, appeals, bazaars, and individual donations from Bundaberg residents.

Christ Church build a mammoth effort Due to various reasons, the building of the church was delayed until after World War I and saw Mr. F.H Faircloth appointed as architect. The original plans, first drawn by Mr. Buckeridge, were adapted to allow for the use of bricks and concrete as the primary building material. The foundation stone for the church was finally laid on August 9, 1920, by Bishop Le Fenu. Construction of the church was a rigorous day labor task, with workers using rope pulleys, blocks, and tackles as the main mechanisms for the build. The open roof was constructed in Oregon pine and was the only section built by contract labor.

The Christ Church grand reveal Christ Church was officially opened on Sunday, 20 February 1927 by the Archbishop of Brisbane, the Most Rev. G. Sharp. In 1928 the Rev A. H Osborn became the new Rector of Christ Church. It was during his incumbency that much of the interior of the building was designed and installed, with many of the interesting features a direct result of the Reverend's trips to England and Europe. The Lychgate and Wayside Cross were erected after 1930 and the creeper vine covering these structures was grown from a cutting brought back from Glastonbury Abbey. Rev. Osborn also collected the remains of several stained glass windows from overseas for Christ Church. Many of the other features of the building have been donated by pioneer families in Bundaberg. The fine wooden reredos in the sanctuary were donated by the Buss family, who were also responsible for the cost of building the church tower. One of the more spectacular features of Christ Church is a brass lectern with the figure of an eagle attached, which was donated by Miss Tanner in memory of her brother the Rev. E. Tanner, who was the first ordained Anglican priest in Bundaberg. The lectern was made in England and is acknowledged as one of the finest lecterns in Australia.

Restoration works a first for Christ Church In 2019, the church underwent multiple restoration projects for the first time since its construction. The steeple was given a fresh coat of paint and the window glass was removed and re-worked earlier in the year. Six Peace Bells were also introduced to the building and the original organ was transformed back to its former glory. The pipe organ, which is housed in an organ chamber built over the north side of the church, has been a feature of the church since 1927. It is one of only three in Australia and is unique in that it is mechanical rather than pneumatic.

Source: www.bundabergnow.com/2021/04/18/christ-church-a-beautiful...

The Holman Street Ferry Terminal was built prior to 1919 for the City of Brisbane, then responsible for the servicing of ferry routes across the Brisbane River. Kangaroo Point was one of Brisbane's earliest suburbs, emerging in the 1840s with other localities such as South Brisbane, Fortitude Valley and Spring Hill. Because of its close proximity to the city, Kangaroo Point played an important role as a point of arrival and departure for Brisbane's ferries. The ferry began to operate from the Customs House Reserve in 1882, but as a vehicular ferry, is believed to have ceased in 1883/84. A new vehicular steam ferry began operating from Charlotte Street to Bright Street at the same time. A passenger ferry continued, however, and the waiting shed on that side of the river was re-erected on the customs house site in 1886. Tidal steps were apparently built on the Holman Street side to service the passenger ferry. Work was carried out at the Holman Street landing stage and pontoon in 1906. At that time there was a ferry tollhouse on site, but it is not possible to tell whether this also served as a waiting shed. Repairs were carried out on the site in 1912, but were probably related to the pontoon. In 1919 the Ferries & Baths Committee recommended that the shelter shed on the Kangaroo Point side of the Customs House ferry be cleaned inside and the chamfer boards be oiled on the outside. A recommendation by the Lighting Committee in 1919 saw the installation of electric lighting at the Holman Street ferry - electricity having replaced gas for street lighting at Kangaroo Point, c. 1918. In July 1925 the Brisbane City Council's Bridges and Ferries Committee recommended that control of all ferries should pass to the new Greater Brisbane Council. Source: kids.kiddle.co/Holman_Street_ferry_wharf

Along with Watson & Ferguson, and Angus & Robertson, Gordon and Gotch was a publisher for Brisbane where scholarly works would be available to the community. The history of the city has been a struggle to import and print high-quality works of broad and deep learning. However, in recent decades Queensland historians have uncovered a much more significant reading history than what traditionally was presumed. Gordon and Gotch opened its Brisbane branch in 1875. The Company had begun in a partnership of Alexander Gordon and John Gotch and was incorporated in 1895 and listed in 1897. Its standing as a credible publisher was aided by having a branch in London. The six-storey building of Gordon & Gotch was erected in Adelaide Street in 1926-1927. Gordon & Gotch left the building in 1957. Source: mappingbrisbanehistory.com.au/history-location/gordon-got...