St John the Baptist Church, Reid
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
St John the Baptist Church in Reid, is the oldest church in Canberra, Australia. It is also the oldest building in the area of Canberra city. It is sited at the corner of ANZAC Parade and Constitution Avenue.
St John's is an Anglican church, and is oriented East-West with the nave to the west and the main entrance (with choir loft and organ above) to the east. The foundation stone was laid in 1841, with the church being consecrated on 12 March 1845 by Reverend William Grant Broughton the first and only Bishop of Australia. The St John's churchyard was also consecrated the same year - Canberra's original graveyard, and it was also the site of Canberra's first school, which is now the Schoolhouse Museum.
The church was built in three stages:
- The original church by Robert Campbell (1841-45)
- Nave extension by George Campbell
- Chancel by John Campbell (1872-73)
In addition, the original tower that was built in 1845 was removed in 1864, and a one designed by Edmund Blacket built 1865-70 was put in its place. The spire was built in 1878.
The church bells were donated by Governor General William Sidney, 1st Viscount De L'Isle (1961-65).
This church complex contains a practice hall for the Canberra Boys' Choir.
The church hall has a mural painting at its southern end, depicting people and events from the life of the church and the region. Rendered in a simplistic style, the mural depicts subjects as diverse as: a theodolite, a microscope, an Australian aborigine man, Bogong moths, Merino sheep, liturgical symbols, the Girl Guide logo and a girl in the uniform, a Boy Scout, Old Parliament House, Canberra, early ministers of the church and settlers including Robert Campbell and his nearby house "Duntroon" (also shown) that is now part of the Royal Military College, Duntroon.
