Ann Street Presbyterian Church

The first major contingent of Presbyterians to arrive in Queensland came as part of John Dunmore Lang's immigration scheme in the late 1840s. The first Presbyterian services were conducted in a house at Kangaroo Point until 1851 when a small timber church was opened at South Brisbane. For the benefit of North Brisbane residents, services were also conducted in the School of Arts building on the corner of Queen and Creek streets.^[1]

In September 1854, the congregation purchased three allotments in Ann Street.^[2] Four years later, a simple stone building in the Gothic style was erected by Joshua Jeays for a cost of £960. It was 36 by 47 feet (11 by 14 m).^[3] The church was opened on Sunday 25 July 1858 and became known as the Ann Street Presbyterian Church.^[4][5] On Thursday 21 December 1871, a fire destroyed all but the stone walls of the church, which was not insured.^[6]

In February 1872, a public appeal was launched to raise funds to rebuild the church.^[7] In February 1873, Mr E. Lewis was contracted to rebuild the church to the plans of architect John Hall.^[8] The new church was officially reopened on Sunday 26 October 1873. Due to the generosity of donors, it was possible to not just rebuild the church but to add a turret, stained glass windows, and a church bell described as being one of the finest bells in Brisbane.^[9][1]

In 1897, major alterations and additions were undertaken. Designed by Alexander Brown Wilson, the work included the addition of buttresses, double transepts, a basement, the construction of stone steps and fence at the front, plastering of the exterior, and the installation of a rose window in the front wall. Further work was undertaken to the interior in 1903 to accommodate and a new organ, and between 1903–14 a third transept was added.^[1]

In 1936, a two storeyed extension, adjoining the northern end of the transepts, was built. Designed by Douglas Francis Woodcraft Roberts it comprised hall and offices. As well as offices for the parish it also contained the central offices of the Presbyterian Church in Queensland. Buttressing was also added to either side of the front of the building to match that on the later transepts. This work was completed for a cost of £6,000.^[1]

During the mid 1960s, the future of the church was threatened when the Brisbane City Council sought to acquire the site as part of the redevelopment of King George Square. Church and community pressure, however, ensured the survival of the building,^[1] although the extension was subsumed in the construction of 145 Ann Street, King George Central.^[10][11]

Ann Street Presbyterian Church is a rendered stone and brick building set well above Ann Street and King George Square with an ornate render and cast iron wall and steps down to Ann Street. The roof, of ribbed galvanised iron, consists of a series of steeply pitched gables. The windows are generally tall lancets, with a few rounded-headed ones. The front elevation contains two portal doors inset within semi-circular arches with ogival mouldings and patterned decoration in the render, and a rose window above. The words "Ann St. Presbyterian Church" are set in render above the door.^[1]

Timber detailing, fittings and furnishings feature prominently in the interior. The ceiling comprises diagonal boarding with regularly spaced fretwork panels above exposed timber trusses. Broad timber arches are located along the side walls of the transepts. A timber screen divides the entrance porch from the main body of the church. The floor slopes gradually down from the entry to the communion table, elders court and pulpit. A large pipe organ dominates the eastern wall.^[1]

A two storeyed rendered masonry building which contains a hall and offices is attached to the church at the northern transept^[1] (demolished).

The 1936 hall and offices and the third transept of the church do not form part of the listing^[1] (demolished).