St Barnabas Anglican Church is a lovely example of late 19th century Carpenter Gothic church. We celebrate our 135th birthday in June.
The church has interiors with furniture from the late nineteenth and early twentieth century.
The War Memorial Chapel has stained glass windows throughout.
Of great note is a beautiful stained glass window dedicated in December 2018 which reproduces the art work from the service booklet of the first ANZAC Day service held in Brisbane in 1916.
The window was made possible by a State Government grant, and features an Australian soldier and sailor, a British Tommy, a French soldier, an Indian soldier, and a Maori soldier. It is the only ANZAC memorial that includes an Indian and a Maori soldier.
Canon David Garland was Rector of the Parish from 1920-1939, and during this time led the campaign to have ANZAC Day recognised as a public holiday. A large banner in the War memorial chapel is a reproduction of the ANZAC Day badge that Canon Garland had designed and sold to raise money for the care of returned servicemen.
He also was secretary of the ANZAC Day Commemoration Committee from 1916 to 1939 and helped organise and design the first ANZAC Day service in 1916.
In the 1920s and 1930s Canon Garland broadcast services on local and state radio. During one election campaign radio debates had been banned, so Canon Garland organised a political debate to be broadcast from the church – in breach of the law!
Other stained glass in the church is by William Bustard who designed the stained glass in City Hall.
Our main altar was carved by the famous Brisbane artist LJ Harvey. Harvey had his own group of artists around him in the later nineteenth and early twentieth centuries known as the "Harvey School" which included renowned artist Daphne Mayo. Harvey's work can be seen on the old CML building next to the GPO.
Display by the Canon Garland Memorial Society in the Church Hall.
FREE CONCERT 2pm Sunday 20 July
Dr Phillip Gearing, renowned organist, will play a concert of organ favourites in our historic church.
Tour Information
Frequency of Guided Tours: Open access, but guides available to talk about the building
Tour Tips
Register at the building on arrival
Additional Activities
Workshops/talks, Musical performances, Refreshments available, Free Organ Recital by Dr Phillip Gearing PhD, MMus, LTCL, ARCO on Sunday 16 July, 2pm-3pm. Display by the Canon Garland Memorial Society in the Church Hall.
Wheelchair access
Yes
Is Heritage listed
Yes