The moody photograph below is by Harold Cazneaux, and was taken immediately prior to its demolition to enable York St to be widened for the Harbour Bridge.
And now to Dr Lang. The Rev’d John Dunmore Lang arrived in Australia in May 1823. He conducted the inaugural service of the Congregation on 8 June 1823. A Crown grant of land was given to him by the Governor in order to build a church. The block was located on the corner of Jamieson Street and York Street in an area later known as Church Hill. On 1st July 1824 Governor Brisbane, also from the same part of Scotland as Dr Lang, laid the Scots Church foundation stone. A stone church, with a plain tower, seating 1000 people, was opened on 16th July 1826. The actual cost was £3000 and it was opened with a debt of £1480. The Rev’d Dr John Dunmore Lang had a long and distinguished ministry. He was also an outstanding statesman and personality, being active in civic, educational and government circles as well as in the Church.
On 14th October, 1856, my great-great-grandfather, Thomas James Selby, married my great-great-grandmother, Mary Ann Puckeridge, in Dr Lang's Scots Church. Thomas was 19. Mary Ann was 17. |
3 comments:
Is this the Church that is now fancy flats?
Well, yes and no.
I
At the end of the 20th century, to ease the financial burden, about 6 or so storeys were added to the existing 1930s structure. The church and all its administration is still there on the ground floor and perhaps 3 original floors. You only notice the addition if you stand and look up. And it is not really offensive. Meaning, I guess, it could have been much worse.
Difficult to photograph. You did well.
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