St Michael and All Angels Church

Before a new church could be built, the old timber church had to be moved from the site.  In 1948, the congregation purchased an adjoining lot with frontage to Balfour Street for £1,200.  The site contained an old house, which was sold and removed.  In July 1954 the 75 tonne timber church was manoeuvred 150 feet to this new site via a ramp. A brick hall was built underneath.  The top floor was later leased to the Queensland Mental Health Association and re-named “Friendship House”.

The new church was conceived as a war memorial church, in memory of those who had lost their lives in two world wars.  The Archbishop laid the foundation stone on the Feast of St Michael and All Angels on 29 September 1957, and it was dedicated by Archbishop Halse on Palm Sunday, 22 March 1959.  On Palm Sunday 68 years earlier, the Anglican Archbishop had dedicated the Parish’s timber church.

The Brisbane Diocese contracted the architectural firm, Conrad and Gargett to prepare plans for the new church.  Established in 1939, though with links to architectural firms operating in the 19th century, Conrad and Gargett was one of Queensland’s largest architectural firms at that time.  They have designed significant Brisbane landmarks such as the Princess Alexandra Hospital, and the Sheraton Hotel.  In 1959, Thomas Gargett was President of the Queensland Chapter of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects. 

Conrad and Gargett’s design for St Michael and All Angels Church pays heed to the Queensland climate and its location on a busy road.  Both sides of the church have french doors in the shape of arched windows that open onto wide verandahs.  High windows with generous over-hang provide natural light and capture the prevailing breezes.  Visitors to the church have commented on its excellent acoustics and the lack of noise pollution from traffic on Brunswick Street.  The 300-seat church cost £30,000, including furnishings.

One of the features of St Michael and All Angels Church is the 54 foot carillon.  It contains the original New Farm fire bell, which dates from the days of hand-cart fire-fighting. The Church Chronicle states that “after many years of silence it will now be used to call the faithful to the worship of God and perhaps alarm the others of the dangers of neglect of that worship”.  Another link to the past is the surrounds of the Aumbry  in the Sanctuary, which incorporates pieces of marble from the Reredos  of St Paul’s Cathedral, London.  The marble was claimed when St Paul’s was damaged by bombs in the Battle of Britain.  The altar is also of marble and was donated in memory of Rev. Cecil Brook, church Rector from 1945-1955.

In keeping with the memorial purpose of the church, a columbarium has been built at the rear of the church.  This is a wall with recesses to receive the ashes of the dead.  A large poinciana tree, which was probably planted soon after the church was built, provides a visual link between the church and the rectory.

The current rectory was built in 1958 and dedicated by Archdeacon F. Knight on 17 August 1958.  It replaced an old rectory that was built in 1909 and partially destroyed by fire in May 1958.  It has been modified several times since 1958 and is no longer used as a rectory, but as offices for the New Farm Home Assist-Secure Service.

1. Brisbane City Council Minutes, 4 February 1958

2. Brisbane City Council, Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board, Plan no. 161, 1937

3. The Church Chronicle, November 1909, p.354; December 1909, p.378; February 1910, p.426; November 1957, p.332; April 1959, p.117

4. Conrad and Gargett Pty Ltd, Conrad and Gargett 1890-1990, Brisbane, 199?

5. The Courier Mail, 23 March 1959, p.8

6. Department of Natural Resources, Queensland Certificates of title and other records.

7. Fletcher, Sir Banister, A History of Architecture,  17th edition, Athlone Press, 1961

8. St Michael and All Angels New Farm, Parish Messenger, April/May 1959