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234:"One of the difficulties that met us at the threshold was the impossibility of procuring, on any terms whatever, a proper place for holding meetings. There was only one place in the town (the hall of the School of Arts) where a hundred people could be comfortably accommodated and that was occupied by the Presbyterian congregation under the charge of the Rev.C. Ogg. We were therefore, fain to occupy a rickety loft—Mr. Binney called it facetiously an 'upper room' —reached by a rickety trap ladder, and used on week days as a schoolroom. The dilapidated wood building overhung a dark, sluggish creek, which meandered through the centre of the town, and after tropical showers the approach to it was almost impassable."
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194:, whose advice to the immigrants was to combine for Christian fellowship and worship rather than establish separate denominations. In March 1850, the United Evangelical Church was created, combining those of Presbyterian, Baptist, and Congregational beliefs, under the ministry of the Rev. Charles Stewart (chaplain of the
231:
In 1858 the Rev. George Wight arrived at
Brisbane from Edinburgh. He had been sent by the London Colonial Missionary Society to establish a Congregational Church in Brisbane. However, his immediate challenge was to find a venue for the congregation to meet for worship. He wrote of this period:
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was architect and builder of the additions. In 1883 there were further additions: a new schoolroom, better seating accommodation, choir railings, and the replacement of the wooden floor with an asphalt floor (which defeated the white ants and kept the church much cooler in summer).
238:
In 1859 the Rev. T. Bell, pastor of the United
Presbyterian Church, died, and the building he had occupied was rented for a time for use for Congregational meetings. Meanwhile, funds were being raised to add to the £500 received from the sale of the united church property.
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served their early needs, the
Baptists desired to have their own church and the united church was sold for £1500 and the proceeds divided between the three denominations, providing the basis for establishing three separate churches: Wharf Street Congregational Church,
377:
in
Wickham Terrace with a view to demolishing it to make way for a new church building. However the Rev. Percival Watson persuaded the congregation to seek a more central site and land between Queen and Adelaide Streets (address 409 Adelaide Street) was purchased and
209:
At first the congregation worshipped in the courthouse, but later purchased land fronting
William and George Streets (in 2010 the Lands Office building occupies the site) and erected a brick church. However, while a
318:, beside the grave of the Rev. Griffith. Forty years later in September 1943, the ashes of his wife Mrs Wolstenholme were sent from England (where she had lived as a widow) to be buried with her husband in
282:
296:
Rev. Griffith resigned as pastor in
February 1889 due to his failing health. Rev. William Scott briefly took up the ministry but then moved to Sydney, forcing Rev. Griffith to return to the ministry.
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became the pastor of the church. During his 30 years ministry, the congregation grew from 48 to over 700 people. He oversaw the establishment of a number of branch churches in the suburbs.
371:
to facilitate the expansion of the cathedral precinct with the condition that the
Congregationalists had two years to establish a new church. In January 1925, they purchased the property
364:
By 1923, the church again became too small for the congregation's needs and, in addition, traffic noise (including the noise of the trams) was becoming a problem during church services.
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The church was without a minister until 19 March 1893, when the Rev. John
Routledge Wolstenholme commenced. However, he died soon after on 25 May, and was buried at
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In 1872, the church building had become too small for the congregation and it was enlarged to a seating capacity of 400 people, about double its original capacity.
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255:
In May 1859, the congregation was ready to establish their own church building and proceeded to buy land on the corner of Wharf and
Adelaide streets for £260.
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263:. The total cost (including the land) was £1498 3s 7d, which was not greatly more than the funds of £1429 12s 2d which had been raised or promised.
266:
Charles Tiffin was the
Colonial Architect and designed many of Brisbane's important buildings, many of which were also built by Joshua Jeays, e.g.
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270:. So, although the first church was not very large, it was considered to have an imposing structure, based on simple early English lines.
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The final services in the Wharf Street Congregational Church were held on Sunday 25 September 1927 by Rev. Percival Watson.
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was a member of congregation and was part of the team who conducted the negotiations of sale to St John's Cathedral.
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The church was opened on 10 June 1860 and the first morning service in the new church was conducted by Rev. Wight.
267:
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Rev. W.H. Lewis (June 1908 - Aug 1915) who proposed (apparently unsuccessfully) that the church be named after
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on 21 January 1849, being the first of three ships of free immigrants sent to this district by the Rev. Dr.
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Rev. George Rayner (initially March 1923 - July 1923 and then March 1924 - February 1925)
176:. The church was demolished in 1928. It was the first Congregational church in Brisbane.
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Given the new street address, it was decided in October 1927 to name the new church
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Family reasons forced Rev. Wight's return to Scotland and in September 1860, Rev.
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In December 1924, it was agreed to sell the church property to the neighbouring
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In 1927, the pipe organ was sold to the Cracknell Road Congregational Church.
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Brisbane's Historic Churches -- V -- Wharf Street (Congregational)
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It is believed that the first Congregationalists arrived on the
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Welcome to Rev. W.H. Lewis: Wharf Street Congregational Church
596:
Wharf-Street Congregational Church: Welcome to Rev. L.L. Wirth
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from 1883 to 1885 and again from 1890 to 1893 and the first
259:, the architect, designed a brick church which was built by
502:, The Brisbane Courier, Saturday 10 December 1904, page 12"
53:
433:
from 1903 to 1917, was the son of Rev. Edward Griffith.
35:
Wharf Street Congregational Church Brisbane, circa 1909
1069:, The Brisbane Courier, Tuesday 24 July 1928, page 19"
818:, Brisbane Courier, Thursday 5 February 1925, page 19"
179:
895:, Brisbane Courier, Wednesday 3 December 1924, page 6
716:, Brisbane Courier, Thursday 1 February 1923, page 6"
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Bright Prospects: Wharf Street Congregational Church
1008:, Brisbane Courier, Saturday 8 October 1927, page 10
976:, Brisbane Courier, Monday 16 January 1928, page 20"
614:, Brisbane Courier, Tuesday 22 October 1907, page 3"
1144:
Former Congregational church buildings in Australia
1053:
The Brisbane Courier, Tuesday 24 July 1928, page 19
1024:, Brisbane Courier, Thursday 16 June 1927, page 14"
911:, Brisbane Courier, Friday 30 January 1925, page 7"
750:, Brisbane Courier, Saturday 17 March 1923, page 9"
697:, Brisbane Courier, Tuesday 10 October 1916, page 6
405:In 2010, a modern office tower stands on the site.
351:(commencing July 1925 and then transferring to the
784:, Brisbane Courier, Saturday 1 March 1924, page 6"
665:, Brisbane Courier, Monday 23 August 1915, page 6"
566:, Courier-Mail, Monday 18 September 1933, page 12"
863:, Brisbane Courier, Saturday 4 July 1925, page 6"
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847:Brisbane Courier, Saturday 27 June 1925, page 17
598:, Brisbane Courier, Wednesday 4 May 1904, page 3
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341:Rev. Stanley Morrison (Oct 1916 - February 1923)
160:built in 1860 on the corner of Wharf Street and
1154:Demolished buildings and structures in Brisbane
649:, Brisbane Courier, Friday 12 June 1908, page 6
299:In 1890 a new large pipe organ was installed.
974:Fine Building: New Congregational Church Hall
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332:Rev. Loyal Lincoln Wirt (May 1904 - Oct 1907)
302:Rev. Griffith died in 1891 and was buried in
1149:Buildings and structures demolished in 1928
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714:Fearless Preacher: Rev. Stanley Morrison
534:Wharf Street Congregational Church, 1920
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251:Wharf Street Congregational Church, 1920
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329:Rev. Hugh Jones (May 1895 - April 1903)
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205:Dr Lang's United Church, William Street
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355:on closure of the Wharf Street church)
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1116:Memorials of the Rev. Edward Griffith
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564:Cremated Ashes: Brought from England
542:from the original on 18 October 2012
402:In 1928, the church was demolished.
353:City Congregational Church, Brisbane
226:
1164:1928 disestablishments in Australia
1079:from the original on 2 October 2020
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794:from the original on 2 October 2020
760:from the original on 2 October 2020
726:from the original on 2 October 2020
675:from the original on 2 October 2020
624:from the original on 2 October 2020
576:from the original on 2 October 2020
512:from the original on 2 October 2020
180:Early Congregationalism in Brisbane
13:
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154:Wharf Street Congregational Church
60:Wharf Street Congregational Church
24:Wharf Street Congregational Church
14:
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1169:1860 establishments in Australia
1067:Historic Church to be Demolished
449:, alderman and mayor of Brisbane
221:Creek Street Presbyterian Church
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1134:Charles Tiffin church buildings
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18:Church in Queensland, Australia
695:Welcome to the Rev. S Morrison
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949:. Queensland Heritage Council
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409:Notable members of the church
946:Queensland Heritage Register
893:Wharf Street Church Property
7:
1159:Former churches in Brisbane
1113:; Griffith, Edward (1892),
325:Subsequent ministers were:
217:Wharf Street Baptist Church
10:
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1139:Churches completed in 1860
1006:City Congregational Church
431:Chief Justice of Australia
394:City Congregational Church
941:"Inchcolm (entry 600170)"
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663:Retirement of W.H. Lewis
1097:Google Maps Street View
612:Congregational Farewell
360:The sale and demolition
1111:Griffith, Mary Harriet
415:Mary Harriett Griffith
252:
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90:27.46466°S 153.02948°E
572:. 18 September 1933.
427:Premier of Queensland
250:
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158:Congregational church
1119:, R.S. Hews & Co
536:, Picture Australia"
508:. 10 December 1904.
382:was sold (and later
277:Rev. Edward Griffith
268:Old Government House
95:-27.46466; 153.02948
982:. 16 January 1928.
917:. 30 January 1925.
824:. 5 February 1925.
816:Wharf Street Church
620:. 22 October 1907.
437:Alfred John Raymond
369:St John's Cathedral
243:The church building
86: /
671:. 23 August 1915.
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756:. 17 March 1923.
722:. February 1923.
441:mayor of Brisbane
227:Rev. George Wight
192:John Dunmore Lang
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1075:. 24 July 1928.
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1030:. 16 June 1927.
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417:, philanthropist
320:Toowong Cemetery
316:Toowong Cemetery
304:Toowong Cemetery
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869:. 4 July 1925.
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423:Samuel Griffith
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1083:26 September
1081:. Retrieved
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337:St Barnabas
310:Later years
290:John Petrie
93: /
81:153°01′46″E
1128:Categories
909:New Church
454:References
170:Queensland
115:Queensland
78:27°27′53″S
877:3 October
832:3 October
798:3 October
764:3 October
748:Religious
730:3 October
679:3 October
628:3 October
580:3 October
196:Fortitude
187:Fortitude
174:Australia
132:Australia
1077:Archived
1032:Archived
984:Archived
919:Archived
871:Archived
861:Personal
826:Archived
792:Archived
782:Personal
758:Archived
724:Archived
673:Archived
622:Archived
574:Archived
540:Archived
510:Archived
380:Inchcolm
374:Inchcolm
166:Brisbane
111:Brisbane
106:Location
953:19 June
143:Founded
138:History
121:Country
425:, the
156:was a
347:Rev.
1085:2010
1040:2010
992:2010
955:2013
927:2010
879:2010
834:2010
800:2010
766:2010
732:2010
681:2010
630:2010
582:2010
548:2010
518:2010
219:and
152:The
146:1860
386:).
198:).
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978:.
963:^
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