Methodist Rectory (former)

James Laurence Pratt, a local builder, bought this 32.6 perch property in August 1912. Pratt lived further along on the opposite side of Finney Road in ‘Glenisle’ and this land was evidently bought as an investment. Pratt may have built this house as a ‘spec’ house, for it is similar in style to one attributed to him in Grosvenor Road. Considine Alexander Hutchison purchased the property from Pratt in August 1914.  

Considine Hutchison (who used the name Alex Hutchison) was the minister for the nearby Indooroopilly Methodist Church. The Methodist church was established in Indooroopilly in 1869 with bible classes being held in a home in the area before the construction of a small church at Brookfield. As the population in the Indooroopilly area increased markedly around 1914, the then Minister, Reverend W Little organised the acquisition of land at the corner of Station and Musgrave Roads, with the intention of shifting the old Brookfield church to the site. Subsequent to Rev Hutchison, who was previously at the Paddington church, taking over from Rev Little, it was decided to build the current brick church on the site. The Anzac Memorial Methodist Church (now the Uniting Church), was opened in 1917. 

Rev Alex Hutchison lived in this house on the corner of Finney and Musgrave Roads, from 1914. The house, built with some features of earlier gracious homes, was one of around eight homes which joined the previously lone house in the street in 1914-15. Although a new rectory was built at 25 Grosvenor Road in 1926, Rev Hutchison continued to live in this house until his death in 1934. His widow, Fannie Hutchison, continued to reside here and the property was transferred to her, and to Daisy Hutchison and Constance Hutchison, both spinsters, in November 1934.

Following an interval of ownership by John and Elizabeth Hunter, who purchased the property in 1970, the property was transferred to the Crown in November 1986.

The house is currently used by Queensland Health.

1. Queensland Certificates of Title

2. Queensland Post Office Directories

3. Uniting Church, Indooroopilly, Historical Report, Brisbane Places of Worship: A Heritage Survey. Brisbane City Council, Heritage Unit, 1997

4. Rev R S C Dingle ed Annals of Achievement: A Review of Queensland Methodism 1847- 1947, Queensland Book Depot, Brisbane, 1947

5. Brisbane City Council Building Cards

6. Methodist Leader c August 1914 and 1926 (Grosvenor Rd rectory no. 25)

7. Indooroopilly Uniting Church / Methodist Parish History