Proud church celebrates 150 active years

AS St Stephen’s prepares to celebrate 150 years, reporter ANTHEA GLEESON looks back on what helped shape this CBD congregation

WHEN St Stephen’s Uniting Church was established, Toowoomba was still a fledgling country town, Australia didn’t have a prime minister and thoughts of two great world wars were not yet conceived.

St Stephen’s Presbyterian Church welcomed its first parishioners in 1863, and this year it will celebrate 150 years since the establishment of the parish.

The church was first built on the corner of James and Hume St and a plaque is still at that site to commemorate its existence.

“At that time, they decided to put up a building, and if a Presbyterian minister came through town, then the people would gather,” the church’s current minister Reverend Andrew Gillies said.

The foundation stone of the

Andrew Gillies:

One outcome of the fire has been the church’s continued support of the Toowoomba Youth Service...

current church was laid in 1863, and the following year the first service was conducted.

In 1913, the church was extended, and again in the 1960s.

“I might be biased, but I think it is the prettiest church, both inside and out, in Toowoomba,” Rev Gillies said.

The church was considered quite innovative during the 1950s and 60s, and is believed to have broadcast the state’s first church service over the radio.

“The radio station 4GR also broadcast the church’s Sunday school,” Rev Gillies said.

“At one stage, they had 175 children enrolled from 82 families.”

The innovation continues with Rev Gillies podcasting weekly sermons online.

On average, between 80 and 90 people from around the world

download his sermons.

“At one stage, we were getting up to 1000 downloads,” he said.

Interestingly, people from Queensland, the USA and Egypt are biggest fans.

Fiery history

FOR some residents of Toowoomba, their most enduring memory of St Stephen’s is the 1989 fire which extensively damaged the historic building.

In the early hours of February 15, 1989, an intruder broke into the church and sought refuge in the choir room.

The young man set fire to some sheet music, presumably to keep warm. The flames took hold and quickly spread to the main part of the building, engulfing the roof and pipe organ.

The community rallied, and raised $125,000 to undertake a rebuilding project worth $425,000.

“One outcome of the fire has been the church’s continued support of the Toowoomba Youth Service, and at least one fundraiser is held for it each year,” Rev Gillies said.

Future plans

AS WITH any milestone, the church community has taken the time to reflect not just on the past, but also on what the future holds.

Rev Gillies said their community, while enthusiastic, proactive and dedicated, was ageing.

“It is certainly an interesting, but also challenging time,” he said.

“(At one time) the church was the centre of society.

“In terms of the church being a social hub, that has changed.

“On average, our church members are 70 years old. And the only three children that come to church are mine. But even though they come from an older generation, they are very energetic and community driven.

“In the general community 20% are volunteers, but it’s well over 40% for church members.”

PHOTOS: ERROL ANDERSON, KEVIN FARMER, CONTRIBUTED DAMAGING FLAMES: Fire-fighters work to contain a blaze that severely damaged the historic St Stephen’s Uniting Church in February 1989.

SET IN STONE: The St Stephen’s Toowoomba City Uniting Church’s minister, Reverend Andrew Gillies, looks at the foundation stone.

1989 FIRE: Flames destroyed the church’s roof.

STANDING PROUD: The Neil St church’s iconic blue-stone “bricks’’ and sandstone pillars are a standout feature of the 150-year-old church.

ON SHOW: Reverend Andrew Gillies looks forward to celebrating the church’s 150 years in October.

LOOKING BACK: Parishioners gather for the state meeting of the Presbyterian church in May 1904. The sandstone porch was built in 1903.