Christ Church Brunswick

Christ Church Brunswick church drawing

Christ Church History - Some Milestones

CCB 1864-1871
Christ Church 1864-1871

The following information is provided by the Architect Emeritus of Christ Church, Mr Bob Vincent, and Mr John Johnson.

1850 The first services and a Sunday School were held in the home of Mr and Mrs Foote. A choir was formed.

1854 Bishop Perry authorized the formation of a Parish and licensed the Reverend C.P.M. Bardin, who had been ordained in Ireland, to take charge from 1 January 1855.
The Athenaeum, a hall in Sydney Road, was rented and services were held there until the church was built in 1857.

1857 A central site on the corner of Sydney and Glenlyon Roads was purchased on behalf of the parish by Messrs Dunn and de Carle. The diocesan architects submitted plans for the first stage of the church which was to be built for a cost of Ł930. The foundation stone was laid in April and Bishop Perry officiated at the opening service on 13 September. The building comprised an entrance porch and the present nave to the fourth window; it was lit by oil lamps and there was seating for about 95 people.

1858 A gallery to accommodate the choir was erected at the west end of the church.

1864 The transepts, chancel and vestry were built and the Bishop re-opened the church on Advent Sunday.

1870-1 The campanile was added with a new entrance at its base. The original entrance porch was walled up and the font installed. The present bell arrived from England, a gift of Mr W Grice.

1875 The exterior of the campanile and other additions were stuccoed; the interior was plastered and the choir gallery removed. The sanctuary and apse were added and the apostle stained glass windows were given in memory of Mr R Grice.

1887 The eagle lectern was presented to the church as was a new font of gothic design. The original font was given to St Peter's, Mornington.

1889 Two windows were placed in the wall of the chancel. An organ built by Alfred Fuller was installed on the right-hand wall of the chancel. The vicarage was built and the vestry accommodation increased.

1895 The church was consecrated by Bishop Field Flowers Goe on 7 August, the Feast of the Name of Jesus.

1917 The altar rails were presented.
The parish of St Cuthbert's was created in East Brunswick.

1929 The Lady Chapel was dedicated on 6 February. Permission was given for the reservation of the Holy Sacrament in the aumbry.

1934 The priest's vestry was dedicated by the Archbishop of Melbourne on the 77th Festival of Dedication. The organ, then in the transept, was rebuilt.

You may wish to take a virtual guided tour of Christ Church as it is today.

1850	The first services and a Sunday School were held in the home of Mr and Mrs Foote. A choir was formed.
1854	Bishop Perry authorized the formation of a Parish and licensed the Reverend C.P.M. Bardin, who had been ordained in Ireland, to take charge from 1 January 1855. The Athenaeum, a hall in Sydney Road, was rented and services were held there until the church was built in 1857.
1857	A central site on the corner of Sydney and Glenlyon Roads was purchased on behalf of the parish by Messrs Dunn and de Carle. The diocesan architects submitted plans for the first stage of the church which was to be built for a cost of Ł930. The foundation stone was laid in April and Bishop Perry officiated at the opening service on 13 September. The building comprised an entrance porch and the present nave to the fourth window; it was lit by oil lamps and there was seating for about 95 people.
1858	A gallery to accommodate the choir was erected at the west end of the church.
1864	The transepts, chancel and vestry were built and the Bishop re-opened the church on Advent Sunday.
1870-1	The campanile was added with a new entrance at its base. The original entrance porch was walled up and the font installed. The present bell arrived from England, a gift of Mr W Grice.
1875	The exterior of the campanile and other additions were stuccoed; the interior was plastered and the choir gallery removed. The sanctuary and apse were added and the apostle stained glass windows were given in memory of Mr R Grice.
1887	The eagle lectern was presented to the church as was a new font of gothic design. The original font was given to St Peter's, Mornington.
1889	Two windows were placed in the wall of the chancel. An organ built by Alfred Fuller was installed on the right-hand wall of the chancel. The vicarage was built and the vestry accommodation increased.
1895	The church was consecrated by Bishop Field Flowers Goe on 7 August, the Feast of the Name of Jesus.
1917	The altar rails were presented. The parish of St Cuthbert's was created in East Brunswick.
1929	The Lady Chapel was dedicated on 6 February. Permission was given for the reservation of the Holy Sacrament in the aumbry.
1934	The priest's vestry was dedicated by the Archbishop of Melbourne on the 77th Festival of Dedication. The organ, then in the transept, was rebuilt.