Christ Church, Childers, Heritage church in Childers, Australia
Christ Church is a heritage church building in Childers featuring early 20th-century Queensland design with wooden components and a pitched roof. The structure provides space for worship services while displaying the craftsmanship typical of its era.
A first hardwood Christ Church opened at Isis Scrub in November 1888, served from Howard Parish by Father J.E. Clayton. Father W.S. Marshall became Childers' first resident priest in 1898 after James Equestrian funded his stipend. In 1899 the diocese's architect John H. Buckeridge drew a larger timber church; local builder Irwin signed for £540 and work was supervised by Bundaberg architect Frederic Herbert Faircloth. Canon Eva dedicated it on 9 May 1901.
The parish takes its name from Christ Church, opened and dedicated on 9 May 1901 by Canon Eva of St Paul's, Maryborough, the same occasion marking the formation of a separate Childers parish. Its first parish priest was Father Thomas Ashburner. The church remains the Anglican place of worship in Childers, and the parish now also serves Apple Tree Creek, Cordalba, Howard, Torbanlea, Woodgate and Burrum Heads.
The building serves as an active worship space with regular services, and can be visited outside these times. Visitors should keep in mind this is a functioning religious community space where respectful behavior is expected.
Most of the stained glass was designed by William Bustard, who worked for R S Exton and Co from 1921 until its glass studio closed in 1958. His windows trace scenes from the Annunciation to the Ascension; six went into the sanctuary and baptistery in 1940–41, and six more pairs were dedicated in May 1947. A 1992 side-chapel window shows the church surrounded by local plants and animals.
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